Explanation:

- We have a circle with a radius of 5 cm.

- A chord is located 3 cm away from the center.

- To find the length of the chord, use the Pythagorean theorem.

- Form a right triangle with the radius, the distance from the center, and half of the chord.

- The hypotenuse is the radius (5 cm), one leg is the distance from the center (3 cm), and the other leg is half of the chord.

- Using the Pythagorean theorem: \((half \, of \, chord)^2 + 3^2 = 5^2\).

- Solve: \((half \, of \, chord)^2 = 25 - 9\).

- \((half \, of \, chord)^2 = 16\), so half of the chord = 4 cm.

- The whole chord = 2 * 4 cm = 8 cm.

Option 3: 8 cm is correct.