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11.4 Arcs and Chords

Goal By finding the perpendicular bisectors of two

Use properties of chords of chords, an archaeologist can recreate a whole
circles. plate from just one piece.
This approach relies on Theorem 11.5, and is
Key Words shown in Example 2.
congruent arcs p. 602
perpendicular bisector
p. 274
THEOREM 11.4
B
Words If a diameter of a circle is perpendicular
to a chord, then the diameter bisects the F
chord and its arc.
E
Symbols &* FD
If BG &*, then DE
&* c EF
&* and DG
s c GF
s. G
D

EXAMPLE 1 Find the Length of a Chord

&* is perpendicular to BD
In (C the diameter AF &*. D
&*.
Use the diagram to find the length of BD
5
F C
Solution E A
&* is a diameter that is perpendicular to BD
Because AF &*,
you can use Theorem 11.4 to conclude that AF&* bisects B
&*. So, BE 5 ED 5 5.
BD
BD 5 BE 1 ED Segment Addition Postulate
5515 Substitute 5 for BE and ED.
5 10 Simplify.

ANSWER &* is 10.

The length of BD

Find the Length of a Segment

&*.
1. Find the length of JM &*.
2. Find the length of SR
H
P
12 K C S
C M N
G 15 P
J
R
608 Chapter 11 Circles
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THEOREM 11.5
Words If one chord is a perpendicular bisector M
of another chord, then the first chord is
a diameter. J
P K
Symbols &* ML
If JK &* and MP
&** c PL &* is
&*, then JK
a diameter. L

All diameters of a circle include the center of the circle. Therefore,

the point where two diameters intersect is the center of the circle.

Careers
EXAMPLE 2 Find the Center of a Circle
Suppose an archaeologist finds part of a circular plate. Show how
to reconstruct the original shape of the plate.

Solution

1 Draw any two chords that are not
parallel to each other.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS study
and reconstruct artifacts

2 Draw the perpendicular bisector of
each chord. These lines contain
which provide information
diameters.
about past cultures.
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3 The diameters intersect at the circles
center. Use a compass to draw the
rest of the plate.

THEOREM 11.6
Words In the same circle, or in congruent circles:
If two chords are congruent, then their
Student Help corresponding minor arcs are congruent. A
B
If two minor arcs are congruent, then their
STUDY TIP corresponding chords are congruent. D
If two central angles C
are congruent then Symbols &* c DC
If AB &*, then AB
s c DC
s.
their corresponding
arcs are congruent. s c DC
If AB &* c DC
s, then AB &*.

11.4 Arcs and Chords 609

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EXAMPLE 3 Find Measures of Angles and Chords

Find the value of x.
a. S b. 708
A B
P R x
608
x8 C C
P 3 E

D 708
Solution
&* c RS
a. Because QP s c RS
&*, it follows that QP r.
s 5 mRS
So, mQP r 5 608, and x 5 60.
r c DE
b. Because AB s, it follows that AB
&* c DE
&*. So, x 5 DE 5 3.

Find Measures of Angles and Chords

Find the value of x.

3. 4. H 5. U
V
x12 408
A E
C W
J G
4 x
5 Y
B D
F (x 1 10)8 Z

11.4 Exercises
Guided Practice
Vocabulary Check 1. Identify a diameter. 2. Identify a pair of congruent arcs.

C P
B
P
A F C
G D
E S R

Skill Check Find the value of x.

3. R 4. M 5. A
(x 1 5)8
D
S 6 8
T C H N
B x
x21 C
508
P P E
J K
610 Chapter 11 Circles
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Practice and Applications

Extra Practice &* is a diameter of the
Identifying Diameters Determine whether AB
See p. 695. circle. Explain your reasoning.
6. 7. A 8. C
C A E
C D 4
E 5 6 E
858 A B
B 4
D B D

Finding Chords and Central Angles Find the value of x.

9. A D 10. A 11. A x17
B
x C 358
7 C B
C
D (x 1 6)8
B E E
D 3x 1 1

Logical Reasoning Name any congruent arcs, chords, or angles.

State a postulate or theorem that justifies your answer.
12. B 13. A 14. A C
908

B P
P
P C B D
A C 908 D

Finding Measures Find the measure of the red segment or arc.

15. B 16. 17. B
B
A 1108
A 408 E A C
D
D
10 E
F
C E C 608
D

Using Algebra Find the value of x.

18. B 19. 20. A
(2x 2 10)8 A
A (x 1 45)8
x16
C C C
D E B
Homework Help D 3x 2 8 4x8
E (x 1 30)8
Example 1: Exs. 68, B D E
1520
Example 2: Exs. 2122
Example 3: Exs. 920 21. Visualize It! Draw a large circle and cut it out. Tear part of it off
and ask another student to recreate your circle.

11.4 Arcs and Chords 611

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22. Avalanche Rescue Beacon An avalanche rescue beacon is a

device used by backcountry skiers. It gives off a signal that is
Careers detectable within a circle of a certain radius. In a practice drill,
a ski patrol uses the following steps to locate a beacon buried
in the snow. Explain how it works.

1 Walk in a straight line until the signal 2 Walk back to the halfway point,
disappears. Turn around and walk and walk away from the line at a 908
back until the signal disappears again. angle until the signal disappears.

starting
point

EMTS Some Emergency

Medical Technicians (EMTs) 3 Turn around and walk in a straight line 4 Walk back to the halfway point.
train specifically for wilderness until the signal disappears again. You will be near the center of the
emergencies. circle. The beacon is under you.
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hidden
beacon

Standardized Test 23. Multi-Step Problem Use the diagram below.

Practice s c BE
a. Explain why AD s. A 408 E

b. Find the value of x. (15x 2 40)8 (10x 1 10)8

5 5
s and mBE
c. Find mAD s. C
D B
s.
d. Find mBD

Mixed Review Measuring Arcs In the diagram below, AD&* and BE

&* are diameters
of (F. Find the measure. (Lesson 11.3)
E
s
24. mDE s
25. mBC
F
A D
s
26. mAE t
27. mBCD 408 658
B
s
28. mABC s
29. mADE
C

Algebra Skills Comparing Numbers Compare the two numbers. Write the answer
using <, >, or 5. (Skills Review, p. 662)
15 3 1
30. 226 and 229 31. }} and 2}} 32. 0.2 and }}
20 4 5

612 Chapter 11 Circles