# Length of Chord of Circle

## Theorem

Let $C$ be a circle of radius $r$.

Let $AB$ be a chord which joins the endpoints of the arc $ADB$.

Then:

$AB = 2 r \sin \dfrac \theta 2$

where $\theta$ is the angle subtended by $AB$ at the center of $C$.

## Proof 1

Let $O$ be the center of $C$.

Let $AB$ be bisected by $OD$.

Consider the pair of triangles $\triangle AOE$ and $\triangle BOE$.

We see that:

$AE = ED$ since $AB$ is bisected by $OD$
$AO = BO$ since they are radii
$OE = OE$ since they are common sides.

By Triangle Side-Side-Side Equality, $\triangle AOE = \triangle BOE$.

Then we have:

$\angle AOE = \angle BOE = \dfrac \theta 2$
$\angle OEA = \angle OEB = \dfrac {180 \degrees} 2 = 90 \degrees$

By Definition of Sine Function:

$\sin \dfrac \theta 2 = \dfrac {AE} {AO} = \dfrac {\frac 1 2 AB} r$

Rearranging, we get:

$AB = 2 r \sin \dfrac \theta 2$

as desired.

$\blacksquare$

## Proof 2

We have $AO = BO$ since they are radii.

Therefore $\triangle AOB$ is isosceles.

$\angle OAB = \angle OBA$
$\angle OAB + \angle OBA + \theta = 180 \degrees$

Therefore $\angle OAB = \dfrac {180 \degrees - \theta} 2 = 90 \degrees - \dfrac \theta 2$.

Thus:

 $\ds \dfrac {AB} {\sin \theta}$ $=$ $\ds \dfrac {BO} {\sin \angle OAB}$ Law of Sines $\ds {AB}$ $=$ $\ds \dfrac {BO \sin \theta} {\sin \angle OAB}$ $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \dfrac {2 r \sin \frac \theta 2 \cos \frac \theta 2} {\map \sin {90 \degrees - \frac \theta 2} }$ Double Angle Formula for Sine $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \dfrac {2 r \sin \frac \theta 2 \cos \frac \theta 2} {\cos \frac \theta 2}$ Sine of Supplementary Angle $\ds$ $=$ $\ds 2 r \sin \dfrac \theta 2$

$\blacksquare$

## Historical Note

The result Length of Chord of Circle was the basis of the calculations that Hipparchus of Nicaea used when creating his trigonometrical tables.