GATE ECE 2020 | GA Question: 8

Question

A circle with centre $\text{O}$ is shown in the figure. A rectangle $\text{PQRS}$ of maximum possible area is inscribed in the circle. If the radius of the circle is $a$, then the area of the shaded portion is _______.                                                              

• A. $\pi a^{2}-a^{2}$
• B. $\pi a^{2}-\sqrt{2}a^{2}$
• C. $\pi a^{2}-2a^{2}$
• D. $\pi a^{2}-3a^{2}$

Answer 1

Theorem: “A perpendicular from the Centre of a circle to a chord, bisects the chord.” (Refer: Proof)

In this case, if a perpendicular is drawn from the center of the circle, it will bisect the base side of the rectangle.

The half-length of this chord would be:  $a\times \cos  45^{\circ}=\frac{a}{\sqrt{2}}$.

Hence the length of the rectangle would be  $2\times \frac{a}{\sqrt{2}}=a\sqrt{2}$

Area of circle $: \pi a^{2}$  and the area of rectangle $: 2a^{2}$

$\therefore$  Area of remaining portion would be $:\pi a^{2}-2a^{2}$ 

Option C is correct.