Question -
Answer -
Given: Two circles with centres O and O’ intersect at two points M and N so that MN is the common chord of the two circles and OO’ is the line segment joining the centres of the two circles. Let OO’ intersect MN at P.
To prove: OO’ is the perpendicular bisector of MN.
Construction: Draw line segments OM,ON, O’M and O’N.
Proof In ∆ OMO’ and ONO’, we get
OM = ON (Radii of the same circle)
O’M = O’N (Radii of the same circle)
OO’ = OO’ (Common)
∴ By SSScriterion, we get
∆ OMO’ ≅ ONO’
So, ∠ MOO’ =∠ N00′(By CPCT)
∴ ∠ MOP = ∠ NOP …(i)
(∵ ∠ MOO’ = ∠ MOP and ∠ NOO’ =∠ NOP)
In ∆ MOP and ∆ NOP, we get
OM = ON (Radii of the same circle)
∠ MOP = ∠NOP [ From Eq(i)]
and OM = OM (Common)
∴ By SAScriterion, we get
∆ MOP ≅ ∆NOP
So, MP = NP (By CPCT)
and ∠ MPO = ∠ NPO
But ∠ MPO + ∠NPO = 180° ( ∵MPN is a straight line)
∴ 2 ∠ MPO = 180° ( ∵ ∠ MPO = ∠ NPO)
⇒ ∠ MPO = 90°
So, MP = PN
and ∠ MPO = ∠ NPO = 90°
Hence, OO’ is the perpendicular bisector of MN.