The cross-section of a bridge arch is a segment of a circle with chord length and height .
Find the radius of the circle forming the arch.
- AOption (a)
- BOption (b)
- COption (c)
- DOption (d)
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Correct answer
Why this answer is correct
Shortcut Trick
For a circular segment, the Radius (R) can be calculated using the formula:
R = (C2 ÷ 8h) + (h ÷ 2)
Where C = Chord length = 20 m and h = Height = 6 m.
R = (202 ÷ (8 × 6)) + (6 ÷ 2)
R = (400 ÷ 48) + 3 ⇒ 8.33 + 3 = 11.33 m.
∴ The correct answer is 11.33 m.
Alternate Method
Given:
Chord length (AB) = 20 m
Height of the arch (CD) = 6 m
Let the radius of the circle be R and the center be O.
In the diagram, D is the midpoint of the chord AB.
⇒ AD = DB = 20 ÷ 2 = 10 m
⇒ OD = OC − CD = R − 6
Applying the Pythagoras Theorem in right-angled triangle OAD:
⇒ OA2 = AD2 + OD2
⇒ R2 = 102 + (R − 6)2
⇒ R2 = 100 + R2 − 12R + 36
⇒ 12R = 136
⇒ R = 136 ÷ 12
⇒ R = 34 ÷ 3 ≈ 11.33 m
∴ The correct answer is 11.33 m.
Additional Information
Intersecting Chords Theorem
If two chords intersect inside a circle, the product of the segments of one chord equals the product of the segments of the other. For a diameter intersecting a chord, (C/2) × (C/2) = h × (2R − h).
Perpendicular from Center
A perpendicular line drawn from the center of a circle to a chord always bisects the chord into two equal halves.
Circular Segment Area
The area of a circular segment is found by subtracting the area of the triangle formed by the radii and the chord from the area of the circular sector.