Conjugate diameters
Do you know what a circle looks like? It looks like a round ball with no edges! Now, imagine drawing a line across the circle so that it divides the circle into two halves. This line is called the diameter of the circle.
Now, let's say you draw another line through the center point of the circle, but this line is NOT a diameter. This new line also divides the circle into two halves, but the halves are not equal sizes. The longer half of the circle is called the major segment, and the shorter half is called the minor segment.
The diameter and this new line are called conjugate diameters.
These conjugate diameters are important because if you know their lengths, you can find out the area of the circle. You can also use them to find out the size and shape of an object that is shaped like a circle.
So, remember, a diameter is a line that goes across a circle and divides it into two equal halves. And, a conjugate diameter is a line that goes through the center of the circle and divides it into two unequal halves.
Now, let's say you draw another line through the center point of the circle, but this line is NOT a diameter. This new line also divides the circle into two halves, but the halves are not equal sizes. The longer half of the circle is called the major segment, and the shorter half is called the minor segment.
The diameter and this new line are called conjugate diameters.
These conjugate diameters are important because if you know their lengths, you can find out the area of the circle. You can also use them to find out the size and shape of an object that is shaped like a circle.
So, remember, a diameter is a line that goes across a circle and divides it into two equal halves. And, a conjugate diameter is a line that goes through the center of the circle and divides it into two unequal halves.