Homework Help: Geometry: I want to understand some points

1. Jul 28, 2005

irony of truth

What is my unknown (say x) if I am finding the value in which an arc of a great circle 10 units long recedes from its chord? (given radius R and angle alpha?)

Here's my figure as an attachment...

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2. Jul 28, 2005

EnumaElish

I am guessing, you can express R = xR + (1-x)R where (1-x)R is the height of your (isosceles) triangle and xR is the bit from the chord to the circle.

Last edited: Jul 28, 2005
3. Jul 28, 2005

HallsofIvy

What do you mean by "recedes from its chord"?

4. Jul 28, 2005

irony of truth

HallsofIvy, seems like the arc is moving away from its respected chord (form by the two enddpoints of the arc)

My friend told me that x = R - R cos (alpha)... I wonder why....

5. Jul 28, 2005

mukundpa

He has given the greatest distance between the arc and the chord i.e. the difference of the radius and distance of the chord from the center

6. Jul 30, 2005

gopi krishna

Last edited by a moderator: Apr 21, 2017