Sunday, November 29, 2015

[EM20151129CGCB] Bisector of a Chord in a Circle

Problem



Introduction
     This “elementary” mathematics question poses a challenge because it actually testing Coordinate Geometry and Circle Geometry.  In the setting of tests and exams, there seems to be a trend of combining topics.  To solve this problem successfully, students need to know that when a chord is bisected (cut into two equal parts), the line segment joining its mid-point to the centre of the circle will be perpendicular to the chord itself.  Thereafter, we can proceed with Pythagoras’ Theorem.

Solution
Remarks
     There is actually no boundary between topics and even subjects.  Things to be learned are separated into topics only to facilitate teaching of the material.  Students are encourage to adopt a more wholistic view of knowledge.

H04. Look for pattern(s)
H05. Work backwards
H09. Restate the problem in another way
H10. Simplify the problem
H11. Solve part of the problem
H13* Use Equation / write a Mathematical Sentence

Suitable Levels
GCE ‘O’ Level Mathematics (“Elementary Mathematics”)
GCE ‘O’ Level Additional Mathematics (revision)
* other syllabuses that involve geometry and coordinate geometry / analytic geometry
* whoever is interested









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