By Mansi Yadav

Verified by Ajay Kumar

Two circles cut each other at points M and N. AB and CD are the common tangents to the circles. The line MN, when produced on both sides, intersects tangents AB and CD at points P and Q respectively. If MN = 3 cm and PQ = 5 cm, find the length of AB (in cm).

  1. 2 cm

  2. 3 cm

  3. 4 cm

  4. 5 cm

Answer: C

Solution

Solution: Using the geometric relation for this configuration, \(PQ^2=AB^2+MN^2\). Therefore, \(AB^2=PQ^2-MN^2=5^2-3^2=25-9=16\). Hence, \(AB=\sqrt{16}=4\) cm. Trick: Square the given lengths, subtract the square of MN from the square of PQ, and take the square root.

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