Understanding the Radius and Chord in Circles

Learn the difference between radius and chord in circles, and when the radius equals half the length of a chord.

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No, the radius is not half of a chord. The radius is the distance from the center of a circle to any point on its circumference, whereas a chord is a line segment with both endpoints on the circle. The radius can be equal to half the chord only when the chord is a diameter, meaning it spans the circle through its center. Otherwise, they are generally different lengths.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is a chord in a circle? A chord is a line segment that connects two points on the circumference of a circle.
  2. How is the radius defined? The radius is the distance from the center of a circle to any point on its edge.
  3. When is the radius equal to half the chord? The radius is equal to half the chord only when the chord is the diameter of the circle.
  4. What are the properties of chords in circles? Chords possess various properties, such as being able to create angles at the center and being bisected by the radius that connects to their midpoint.