The radius of a circle is 10 cm. There are two chords of 12 cm and 16 cm on either side of the center. Find the distance between the two parallel chords.

For a chord of length L in a circle of radius R, the perpendicular distance from center to chord is d = √(R² - (L/2)²). For the 12 cm chord: d₁ = √(100 - 36) = 8 cm. For the 16 cm chord: d₂ = √(100 - 64) = 6 cm. Since chords are on opposite sides of the center, total distance = 8 + 6 = 14 cm. Option B (16 cm) and C (15 cm) don't account for both distances correctly. Option D (20 cm) exceeds the diameter (20 cm), which is impossible.