What can be said about the diameter of a circle compared to other chords?

Study for the Geometry Regents Exam. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple choice questions, including hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your test!

The diameter is the longest chord in a circle because it passes through the center of the circle and connects two points on its circumference. Any other chord, regardless of its length, does not extend across the center and therefore cannot match the length of the diameter. The relationship between the diameter and other chords can be understood through geometry: as the distance from the center decreases, the length of the chord decreases, making the diameter unique in its maximal length.

Other options can be examined in this context. It is not accurate to say that the diameter is shorter than any other chord, as it is the longest. While the diameter has the same length as two radii combined, this does not imply that it is equal to the lengths of the radii themselves individually. The diameter can indeed be perpendicular to a chord, particularly when it bisects that chord, which further supports its unique properties compared to other chords. Thus, it is established that the diameter is the longest chord in the circle.

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