The longest chord passes through the centre of the circle
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Investigating the diameter is the longest chord of a circle.
Objectives
To understand longest chord passes through the centre and it is the diameter
Estimated Time
30 minutes
Prerequisites/Instructions, prior preparations, if any
Prior knowledge of point, lines, angles, polygons
Materials/ Resources needed
- Digital : Computer, geogebra application, projector.
- Non digital : Worksheet and pencil, compass, strings
- Geogebra files : Diameter is longest chord.ggb
Download this geogebra file from this link.
Process (How to do the activity)
Use the geogebra file to show how diameter is the longest chord.
Move the points on the circle to show the changes in the triangle.
What is the condition with respect to sides for formation of a triangle. Sum of two sides is larger than the third side.
Compare the chord length with sum of two radii. When is the triangle reduced to a line segment.
What can you conclude about the chord? When is it the largest?