Class 10 Mathematics - Ch 9: Chords and Arcs of a Circle
Change SetupClass 10 Mathematics - Ch 9: Chords and Arcs of a Circle
Official curriculum roadmap, subject/topic distribution, negative marking rules, pacing guidelines, and solved sample questions.
🎯 Question Types & Curriculum Breakdown
💡 Strategic Preparation & Exam Hall Guidelines
To maximize your score on Class 10 Mathematics - Ch 9: Chords and Arcs of a Circle, candidates are advised to follow a structured three-pass approach. In the First Pass, solve all direct recall and formula-based questions within 30 seconds each to secure foundational marks. In the Second Pass, tackle multi-step analytical and quantitative reasoning problems. In the Third Pass, review marked questions and verify calculations.
Practice with the interactive player below to evaluate your speed and accuracy under real exam pressure. Every question features full mathematical formulas, step-by-step worked solutions, and conceptual explanations vetted by Apex Rankers Academy subject matter specialists.
📝 Pre-Rendered Solved Sample Questions & Detailed Solutions
Review the solved problems below to understand question phrasing, answer choices, and step-by-step solution logic prior to starting the full interactive practice drill:
<p><strong>Step 1: Understanding Construction & Theorem 9.1:</strong></p>
<p>According to <strong>Theorem 9.1</strong>, <em>one and only one circle can pass through three non-collinear points</em>. The three vertices of $\triangle ABC$ are non-collinear.</p>
<ul>
<li>Construct equilateral $\triangle ABC$ with $AB = BC = CA = 5\text{ cm}$.</li>
<li>Draw the perpendicular (right) bisectors of sides $AB$ and $BC$.</li>
<li>Let these bisectors intersect at a unique point $O$ (the circumcenter).</li>
<li>Since $O$ lies on the right bisector of $AB$, $OA = OB$. Since $O$ lies on the right bisector of $BC$, $OB = OC$. Hence, $OA = OB = OC = R$.</li>
<li>With center $O$ and radius $R = OA$, draw a circle. It passes through all three vertices $A, B, C$.</li>
<li>Since two distinct straight lines can intersect at only one point, $O$ is unique, proving that <strong>one and only one circle</strong> can be drawn.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Step 2: Calculating the Circumradius $R$:</strong></p>
<p>For an equilateral triangle with side length $a = 5\text{ cm}$:</p>
<p>$$\text{Altitude } h = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} a = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \times 5 = \frac{5\sqrt{3}}{2}\text{ cm}$$</p>
<p>In an equilateral triangle, the circumcenter divides each median/altitude in the ratio $2:1$:</p>
<p>$$R = \frac{2}{3} h = \frac{2}{3} \left(\frac{5\sqrt{3}}{2}\right) = \frac{5\sqrt{3}}{3} = \frac{5}{\sqrt{3}} \approx 2.89\text{ cm}$$</p>
<p><strong>Final Answer:</strong></p>
<p><strong>One and only one circle passes through the vertices, with radius $R = \frac{5\sqrt{3}}{3} \approx 2.89\text{ cm}$.</strong></p>
</div>
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<svg viewBox="0 0 540 260" width="100%" height="auto" style="max-width: 540px; background: #0f172a; border-radius: 12px; border: 1px solid #334155;">
<text x="270" y="24" text-anchor="middle" fill="#38bdf8" font-family="'Segoe UI', sans-serif" font-size="13" font-weight="bold">Exercise 9.1 Q2: Center-to-Chord Perpendicular</text>
<!-- Part (i) -->
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<circle cx="90" cy="90" r="80" fill="none" stroke="#38bdf8" stroke-width="2"/>
<line x1="20" y1="130" x2="160" y2="130" stroke="#f43f5e" stroke-width="2.5"/>
<circle cx="90" cy="90" r="3.5" fill="#f8fafc"/>
<text x="90" y="80" fill="#f8fafc" font-size="11" font-weight="bold" text-anchor="middle">P</text>
<line x1="90" y1="90" x2="90" y2="130" stroke="#34d399" stroke-width="2"/>
<line x1="90" y1="90" x2="20" y2="130" stroke="#38bdf8" stroke-width="1.5" stroke-dasharray="3 3"/>
<path d="M 90 120 L 100 120 L 100 130" fill="none" stroke="#34d399" stroke-width="1"/>
<text x="105" y="112" fill="#34d399" font-size="10">12 cm</text>
<text x="50" y="145" fill="#f43f5e" font-size="10">Chord = 10 cm (half = 5)</text>
<text x="40" y="105" fill="#38bdf8" font-size="10">r = ?</text>
<text x="90" y="190" fill="#e2e8f0" font-size="11" text-anchor="middle" font-weight="bold">Part (i): r = √(12² + 5²) = 13 cm</text>
</g>
<!-- Part (ii) -->
<g transform="translate(300, 40)">
<circle cx="90" cy="90" r="80" fill="none" stroke="#38bdf8" stroke-width="2"/>
<line x1="26" y1="138" x2="154" y2="138" stroke="#f43f5e" stroke-width="2.5"/>
<circle cx="90" cy="90" r="3.5" fill="#f8fafc"/>
<text x="90" y="80" fill="#f8fafc" font-size="11" font-weight="bold" text-anchor="middle">P</text>
<line x1="90" y1="90" x2="90" y2="138" stroke="#34d399" stroke-width="2"/>
<line x1="90" y1="90" x2="26" y2="138" stroke="#38bdf8" stroke-width="1.5" stroke-dasharray="3 3"/>
<path d="M 90 128 L 100 128 L 100 138" fill="none" stroke="#34d399" stroke-width="1"/>
<text x="105" y="115" fill="#34d399" font-size="10">d = 3 cm</text>
<text x="40" y="105" fill="#38bdf8" font-size="10">r = 5 cm</text>
<text x="90" y="155" fill="#f43f5e" font-size="10" text-anchor="middle">c/2 = √(5² - 3²) = 4</text>
<text x="90" y="190" fill="#e2e8f0" font-size="11" text-anchor="middle" font-weight="bold">Part (ii): Chord = 2 × 4 = 8 cm</text>
</g>
</svg>
</div>
<p><strong>Part (i): Finding Radius $r$:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Given: Chord length $AB = 10\text{ cm}$, perpendicular distance $PE = 12\text{ cm}$.</li>
<li>By <strong>Theorem 9.3</strong>, the perpendicular from the center to a chord bisects the chord:
$$AE = EB = \frac{AB}{2} = \frac{10}{2} = 5\text{ cm}$$
</li>
<li>In right-angled triangle $\triangle PEA$:
$$PA^2 = PE^2 + AE^2$$
$$r^2 = 12^2 + 5^2 = 144 + 25 = 169$$
$$r = \sqrt{169} = 13\text{ cm}$$
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Part (ii): Finding Chord Length:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Given: Radius $r = 5\text{ cm}$, perpendicular distance $d = 3\text{ cm}$.</li>
<li>In right triangle formed by radius, distance, and half-chord:
$$\left(\frac{\text{Chord}}{2}\right)^2 = r^2 - d^2 = 5^2 - 3^2 = 25 - 9 = 16$$
$$\frac{\text{Chord}}{2} = \sqrt{16} = 4\text{ cm}$$
</li>
<li>Total Chord Length $= 2 \times 4 = 8\text{ cm}$.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Final Answer:</strong></p>
<p><strong>(i) Radius $r = 13\text{ cm}$, (ii) Chord length $= 8\text{ cm}$.</strong></p>
</div>
<p><strong>Step 1: Finding Radius $r = PC$:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Chord $AB = 10\text{ cm}$. Since diameter $CD \perp AB$, $E$ bisects $AB$:
$$AE = \frac{AB}{2} = \frac{10}{2} = 5\text{ cm}$$
</li>
<li>Perpendicular distance $PE = 12\text{ cm}$.</li>
<li>In right $\triangle PEA$:
$$r^2 = PA^2 = PE^2 + AE^2 = 12^2 + 5^2 = 144 + 25 = 169 \implies r = 13\text{ cm}$$
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Step 2: Calculating Diameter $CD$ and Sagitta $CE$:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Diameter $CD = 2r = 2 \times 13 = 26\text{ cm}$.</li>
<li>Since $P$ is center and $C$ is on circumference along diameter $P-E-C$:
$$CE = PC - PE = r - PE = 13 - 12 = 1\text{ cm}$$
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Final Answer:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Diameter $CD = 26\text{ cm}$ and $CE = 1\text{ cm}$.</strong></p>
</div>
<p><strong>Step 1: Identify Given Geometric Parameters:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Radius of circle $r = OB = OC = OD = 15\text{ cm}$.</li>
<li>Perpendicular distance from centre $O$ to chord $CD$ is $OF = 9\text{ cm}$.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Step 2: Apply Pythagorean Theorem in $\triangle OFC$:</strong></p>
<p>$$\triangle OFC \text{ is a right-angled triangle at } F:$$</p>
<p>$$CF^2 = OC^2 - OF^2$$</p>
<p>$$CF^2 = 15^2 - 9^2 = 225 - 81 = 144$$</p>
<p>$$CF = \sqrt{144} = 12\text{ cm}$$</p>
<p><strong>Step 3: Chord Bisector Property (Theorem 9.3):</strong></p>
<p>Since $OF \perp CD$, $F$ is the midpoint of $CD$:</p>
<p>$$CD = 2 \times CF = 2 \times 12 = 24\text{ cm}$$</p>
<p><strong>Final Answer:</strong></p>
<p><strong>The length of chord $CD = 24\text{ cm}$.</strong></p>
</div>
<p><strong>Step 1: Set up Right Triangle $\triangle OCA$:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Radius $OA = 13\text{ cm}$.</li>
<li>Perpendicular distance $OC = 5\text{ cm}$.</li>
<li>By Pythagorean theorem in right-angled $\triangle OCA$:
$$AC^2 = OA^2 - OC^2 = 13^2 - 5^2 = 169 - 25 = 144$$
$$AC = \sqrt{144} = 12\text{ cm}$$
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Step 2: Calculate Total Chord Length $AB$:</strong></p>
<p>By Theorem 9.3, $OC \perp AB \implies AC = CB$:</p>
<p>$$AB = 2 \times AC = 2 \times 12 = 24\text{ cm}$$</p>
<p><strong>Final Answer:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Length of chord $AB = 24\text{ cm}$.</strong></p>
</div>
<p><strong>Step 1: Geometric Analysis of Rectangle Diagonals:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>In rectangle $EFGH$, all four interior angles are $90^\circ$.</li>
<li>The diagonals $EG$ and $FH$ are equal in length and bisect each other at a common point $O$:
$$EG = \sqrt{EF^2 + FG^2} = \sqrt{6^2 + 4^2} = \sqrt{36 + 16} = \sqrt{52} = 2\sqrt{13}\text{ cm}$$
</li>
<li>Since diagonals bisect each other:
$$OE = OF = OG = OH = \frac{EG}{2} = \sqrt{13} \approx 3.61\text{ cm}$$
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Step 2: Proof of Uniqueness (Theorem 9.1):</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Any circle passing through vertices $E, F, G$ must have its center at the intersection of the right bisectors of $EF$ and $FG$.</li>
<li>These perpendicular bisectors intersect at the unique center $O$ of the rectangle.</li>
<li>Since two lines intersect at exactly one point, the center $O$ is unique and radius $r = \sqrt{13}\text{ cm}$ is fixed.</li>
<li>Thus, <strong>one and only one</strong> circle can pass through all four vertices $E, F, G, H$.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Final Answer:</strong></p>
<p><strong>A unique circle passes through all vertices of rectangle $EFGH$ with center at diagonal intersection and radius $r = \sqrt{13} \approx 3.61\text{ cm}$.</strong></p>
</div>
<p><strong>Step 1: Conceptual Identification:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Given: Point $B$ is at a distance of $4\text{ cm}$ from $A$, $C$, and $D$:
$$BA = BC = BD = 4\text{ cm}$$
</li>
<li>By definition of a circle, the set of all points equidistant from a fixed center forms a circle.</li>
<li>Here, $B$ is equidistant from the three non-collinear points $A, C, D$.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Step 2: Conclusion via Theorem 9.1:</strong></p>
<p>Through three non-collinear points $A, C, D$, there exists <strong>one and only one</strong> circle. Its center is uniquely $B$ and its radius is $r = 4\text{ cm}$.</p>
<p><strong>Final Answer:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Only 1 circle can be drawn through points $A, C$, and $D$. Its center is $B$ and radius is $4\text{ cm}$.</strong></p>
</div>
<p><strong>Step 1: Express Distance in terms of Radius $r$:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Chord $AB = 16\text{ cm} \implies$ half-chord $AU = 8\text{ cm}$.</li>
<li>Given geometric relation from diagram: Perpendicular distance from center to chord $OU = 16 - r$.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Step 2: Set up and Solve Pythagorean Equation:</strong></p>
<p>In right triangle $\triangle OUA$:</p>
<p>$$OA^2 = OU^2 + AU^2$$</p>
<p>$$r^2 = (16 - r)^2 + 8^2$$</p>
<p>$$r^2 = 256 - 32r + r^2 + 64$$</p>
<p>$$r^2 - r^2 + 32r = 320$$</p>
<p>$$32r = 320 \implies r = \frac{320}{32} = 10\text{ cm}$$</p>
<p><strong>Final Answer:</strong></p>
<p><strong>(i) $OU = 16 - r$, (ii) Equation: $r^2 = (16 - r)^2 + 64 \implies r = 10\text{ cm}$.</strong></p>
</div>
<p><strong>Step 1: Set up Geometric Relations:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Let $O$ be the centre and $r$ be the radius of the circle.</li>
<li>Chord $AB = 16\text{ cm} \implies AE = \frac{16}{2} = 8\text{ cm}$.</li>
<li>Point $D$ lies on the circle, so $OD = r$.</li>
<li>Since $E$ is on radius $OD$ and $DE = 4\text{ cm}$, the distance from centre to chord is:
$$OE = OD - DE = r - 4$$
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Step 2: Apply Pythagorean Theorem in $\triangle OEA$:</strong></p>
<p>$$OA^2 = OE^2 + AE^2$$</p>
<p>$$r^2 = (r - 4)^2 + 8^2$$</p>
<p>$$r^2 = r^2 - 8r + 16 + 64$$</p>
<p>$$8r = 80 \implies r = 10\text{ cm}$$</p>
<p><strong>Final Answer:</strong></p>
<p><strong>The radius of the circle is $r = 10\text{ cm}$.</strong></p>
</div>
<p><strong>Step 1: Verify Side Lengths in Triangle Formed by Center, Midpoint, and Endpoint:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Diameter $= 10\text{ cm} \implies$ Radius $r = OA = 5\text{ cm}$.</li>
<li>Chord $AB = 8\text{ cm}$. Since diameter bisects the chord at $M$, $AM = 4\text{ cm}$.</li>
<li>Distance from centre $O$ to chord midpoint $M$ is $OM = 3\text{ cm}$.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Step 2: Check Pythagorean Identity in $\triangle OMA$:</strong></p>
<p>$$OM^2 + AM^2 = 3^2 + 4^2 = 9 + 16 = 25$$</p>
<p>$$OA^2 = 5^2 = 25$$</p>
<p>Since $OM^2 + AM^2 = OA^2$, by the <strong>Converse of Pythagoras' Theorem</strong>, $\triangle OMA$ is a right-angled triangle with $\angle OMA = 90^\circ$.</p>
<p>Therefore, the diameter is perpendicular to the chord at its midpoint.</p>
<p><strong>Final Answer:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Since $3^2 + 4^2 = 5^2$, $\angle OMA = 90^\circ$, confirming the diameter bisects the chord perpendicularly (Theorem 9.2).</strong></p>
</div>