wrong question ?

Problem Solving — algebra and arithmetic (GMAT Focus Edition)
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wrong question ?

by sukh » Sat Jul 23, 2011 1:11 am
what is the length of the shortest chord that can be drawn through a point 5 cm from the centre of a circle of radius 13 centimeters answer 24
Source: — Quantitative Reasoning |

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by vineeshp » Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:47 am
Nope question and answer are correct.

Just draw a circle with center C.
then draw a chord. AB.
draw a radius to one end of this chord CA.
draw a perpendicular line from the center to the chord at point P (CP).
Now you have a right triangle CAP.

as per pythagoras theorem,
CA ^2 = AP^2 + PC^2.
PC = 5 as per question.
13^2 = 5^2 + AP^2.
gives AP = 12.

therefore AB = 2 AP as perpendicular to chord from center is bisector of chord.
AB = 2 * 12 = 24.

As I became crazy, I drew an illustration of this. :P
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problem1.jpg
Vineesh,
Just telling you what I know and think. I am not the expert. :)

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by Kay_LAL » Mon Jul 25, 2011 7:10 am
Image


I think zats it[/quote]