Question

If a radius bisects a chord, then the lengths of the parts of the radius on either side of the chord are equal.
A. Given
B. Unfounded
C. Definition of supplementary angles
D. Definition of a bisector
E. Definition of radius

I don't get this at all... can anybody explain this to me really easily?

Answer 1

the question talks about radius and chords. so lets begin wid drawing a circle, its radius and some chord

Answer 2

ok!

Answer 3

oh do you want me to draw it?

Answer 4

yes if u can it wud be good :)

Answer 5

so line segment CD is the chord and the radius is line segment AB

Answer 6

am I right so far?

Answer 7

what should I do next?

Answer 8

Didn't we just do this?

Answer 9

@mathstudent55 yes but I am not sure with my answer. you said that just because a chord is perpendicular to a radius, it does not necessarily bisect the radius right?

Answer 10

right

Answer 11

so this question is asking about the length of the radius? like I'm not understanding the question well

Answer 12

You knew from before that if a chord is perpendicular to a radius, the radius bisects the chord. Here they're asking you the other way around. If a chord is perpendicular to a radius, does the chord bisect the radius?

Answer 13

oh then the answer is no

Answer 14

Look at the three chords, one you drew and two I added. Let's say the radius is perpendicular to all 3 chords. Then you know the radius bisects all three chords. Now look at the chords. Only one chord can possibly be a bisector of the radius, but certainly not all three. In reality, there is an infinite number of chords that are perpendicular to that radius, and only one bisects the radius. So to conclude that with any chord that is perpendicular to a radius, that chord bisects the radius it's unfounded.

Answer 15

ohhhhh ok I think I get it!! ohohoh omg I get it!!! yeah!!!only one chord bisects the radius!!

Answer 16

Right, but the radius bisects every chord that it is perpendicular to.

Answer 17

yes yes!!! thank you thank you thank you!!! I totally get it now!! you explained it to me really easily!!

Answer 18

ok, great, you're welcome