Which geometric term describes a line that intersects a circle in two points?

Which geometric term describes a line that intersects a circle in two points?

• A. Radius
• B. Chord
• C. Secant
• D. Diameter

Answer: (C)

A line that cuts through a circle and meets it at two points is called a secant. The name “secant” reflects that the line passes through the circle, crossing its boundary in two places. This differs from a radius, which is a segment from the center to the circle, and from a chord, which is the segment joining the two boundary points. A diameter is a special kind of chord that passes through the center; the line through that diameter still qualifies as a secant because it intersects the circle in two points.

A line that cuts through a circle and meets it at two points is called a secant. The name “secant” reflects that the line passes through the circle, crossing its boundary in two places. This differs from a radius, which is a segment from the center to the circle, and from a chord, which is the segment joining the two boundary points. A diameter is a special kind of chord that passes through the center; the line through that diameter still qualifies as a secant because it intersects the circle in two points.