16Hit1600
Advanced MathHardChord length from a circle and a vertical line

Advanced Math practice question

In the xy-plane, the circle x² + y² = 25 and the line x = 3 intersect at two points. What is the distance between these two points?

Answer: 8

At x = 3: 9 + y² = 25, so y = ±4. The points (3, 4) and (3, −4) are 8 apart.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 4
4 is one y-value, half the distance.
If you answered 5
5 is the radius, not the chord.
If you answered 16
16 is y², not a distance.

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