Shortcut Trick
For two identical circles of radius r passing through each other's centers, the length of the common chord is given by: L = r√3.
Given common chord L = 14√3 cm ⇒ r√3 = 14√3 ⇒ r = 14 cm.
Sum of circumferences = 2 × (2πr) = 4 × (22/7) × 14 = 176 cm.
∴ The correct answer is 176 cm.
Alternate Method
Given:
Length of common chord = 14√3 cm
Radii of both circles are equal (r1 = r2 = r).
Each circle passes through the center of the other circle.
Calculations:
Let O1 and O2 be the centers of the two circles. Since each passes through the other center, O1O2 = radius (r).
Let AB be the common chord intersecting O1O2 at M. M is the midpoint of O1O2 and AB ⊥ O1O2.
⇒ O1M = r/2
In right-angled triangle ΔO1MA, by Pythagoras Theorem:
⇒ O1A2 = O1M2 + AM2
⇒ r2 = (r/2)2 + AM2
⇒ AM2 = r2 − r2/4 = 3r2/4
⇒ AM = (r√3)/2
Total length of common chord AB = 2 × AM = r√3
⇒ 14√3 = r√3
⇒ r = 14 cm
Circumference of one circle = 2πr = 2 × (22/7) × 14 = 88 cm
⇒ Sum of circumferences of two circles = 88 + 88 = 176 cm
∴ The correct answer is 176 cm.
Additional Information
Common Chord of Intersecting Circles
When two circles with radii R and r intersect with centers distance d apart, the common chord length is 2√(R2 − x2) where x is the distance from a center to the chord.
Special Case: Centers on Circumference
If two equal circles pass through each other's centers, the distance between centers equals the radius (d = r), forming two back-to-back equilateral triangles.
Circle Circumference Formula
The boundary length of a circle is calculated as C = 2πr, where π is approximately 22/7 or 3.14159.