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Mathematics — CBSE Class 10 board question

Q1. [4]
The discus throw is an event in which an athlete attempts to throw a discus. The athlete spins anti-clockwise around one and a half times through a circle, then releases the throw. When released, the discus travels along tangent to the circular spin orbit. In the given figure, AB is one such tangent to a circle of radius 75 cm. Point O is centre of the circle and ∠ABO = 30°. PQ is parallel to OA.
Based on above information, answer the following questions.
  1. (a) find the length of AB. [1]
  2. (b) find the length of OB. [1]
  3. (c) find the length of AP. [2]
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2023 30/1/1 Q38
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 10:27 · grounding stimulus
Model Answer

Given: Radius OA = 75 cm, AB is tangent at A, so ∠OAB = 90°, and ∠ABO = 30°.

(a) Length of AB:

In △OAB, tan∠ABO = OA/AB

tan 30° = 75/AB

AB = 75/tan 30° = 75 × √3 = 75√3 cm

(b) Length of OB:

sin∠ABO = OA/OB

sin 30° = 75/OB

1/2 = 75/OB

OB = 150 cm

(c) Length of AP:

Since PQ ∥ OA and Q is on the circle, PQ is also perpendicular to AB (as OA ⊥ AB).

In △PQB, ∠QPB = 90°, ∠PBQ = 30°.

Now, BQ is a secant/chord and using properties: Since PQ ∥ OA, △BPQ ~ △BOA.

BP/BO = BQ/BA (by similar triangles... let BP = x)

x/150 = BQ/75√3

Also, BQ = BO – OQ... Let's use similarity ratio:
BP/OB = PQ/OA, and BP/OB = AB – AP / OB

Since △BPQ ~ △BOA:
BP/BO = PB/150

Using ratio: BP/150 = PQ/75 → need another relation.

By similarity: BP/OB = BQ/BA → BP = OB × (BQ/BA)

Since PQ ∥ OA, P divides AB and Q divides OB-line proportionally.

AP = AB − BP

By similar triangles (△BPQ ~ △BOA):
BP/OB = BP/150 ⟹ ratio = BP/150

BQ/BA = BP/BO ⟹ BQ = OB·(BP/OB) ...

Using correct similarity: BP/BO = BQ/BA = PQ/OA = k

Let BP/150 = k, so BP = 150k and BQ = 75√3·k.

Since Q lies on circle, OQ = 75. In △OBQ: not straightforward.

Using direct ratio: Since PQ ∥ OA, by Basic Proportionality:
BP/BO = BQ/BA (not applicable here directly).

In △BOA, line PQ ∥ OA cuts BO at Q and BA at P:
→ BQ/BO = BP/BA

BQ = BO − OQ = 150 − 75 = 75 cm

∴ BP/BA = BQ/BO = 75/150 = 1/2

BP = (1/2) × 75√3 = 75√3/2 cm

AP = AB − BP = 75√3 − 75√3/2 = 75√3/2 cm

$$\boxed{AP = \dfrac{75\sqrt{3}}{2} \text{ cm}}$$

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Explanation
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