Question

which line segment is a chord of ⊙ p in the diagram below? a. $overline{qr}$ b. $overline{pq}$ c. $overline{st}$ d. $overline{rs}$

Explanation:

A chord of a circle is a line segment with both endpoints on the circle.

• For option A: $\overline{QR}$ has endpoints $Q$ and $R$, both on $\odot P$, so it is a chord.
• For option B: $\overline{PQ}$ has one endpoint $P$ (the center) and $Q$ (on the circle), so it is a radius, not a chord.
• For option C: $\overline{ST}$ has endpoints $S$ (outside the circle) and $T$ (on the circle), so it is a tangent segment (part of a tangent line), not a chord.
• For option D: $\overline{RS}$ has one endpoint $R$ (on the circle) and $S$ (outside the circle), so it is a secant segment (part of a secant line), not a chord.

Answer:

A. $\overline{QR}$