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Circle math
Circumference of a circle Solving equations Law of sines Law of cosines Rounding Square rootHere you will learn about the arc of a circle, including how to find the arc length of a circle and using the measure of an arc to solve problems.
Students will first learn about the arc of a circle as part of geometry in high school.
An arc of a circle is a portion of the circumference of a circle. A major arc is more than half of the circumference, whilst a minor arc is less than half of the circumference.
The arc of a circle is also the curved edge of a segment with the major arc around the major segment, and the minor arc around the minor segment.
The arc of a circle can be used to define angles and lengths.
There are circle theorems that are defined using arcs of the circle.
For example, \theta is the angle subtended by arc AC.
See also: Circle Theorems
You can find the length of an arc if you know the angle of the sector.
Prepare for math tests in your state with these Grade 3 to Grade 6 practice assessments for Common Core and state equivalents. 40 multiple choice questions and detailed answers to support test prep, created by US math experts covering a range of topics!
DOWNLOAD FREEPrepare for math tests in your state with these Grade 3 to Grade 6 practice assessments for Common Core and state equivalents. 40 multiple choice questions and detailed answers to support test prep, created by US math experts covering a range of topics!
DOWNLOAD FREEThe arc length, x, is a fraction of the circumference of the circle with radius r. If \theta is the angle of the sector, the fraction of the circle is \cfrac{\theta}{360}.
Multiplying this fraction by the circumference of the whole circle (written in terms of the diameter or the radius) gives the two arc length formulas:
How does this relate to high school math?
In order to calculate the arc length of a sector:
Calculate the arc length of the sector shown below.
Give your answer to the nearest tenth.
Radius: r=8\mathrm{~cm}
2Find the size of the angle creating the sector.
Angle of the sector: \theta=115^{\circ}
3Substitute the known values into the formula for the arc length and solve.
As you know the radius, you can use the formula which has βrβ as a variable.
\begin{aligned}x&=\cfrac{\theta}{360}\times{2}\times\pi\times{r} \\\\ &=\cfrac{115}{360}\times{2}\times\pi\times{8} \\\\ &=16.1\mathrm{~cm}\text{ (1dp)} \end{aligned}Calculate the arc length of the sector shown below.
Give your answer to the nearest hundredth.
Find the length of the radius or the diameter.
Radius: r=4\mathrm{~m}
Find the size of the angle creating the sector.
As angles around a point total 360^{\circ} ,
Angle of the sector: \theta=360-240=120^{\circ}
Substitute the known values into the formula for the arc length and solve.
As you know the radius, you can use the formula which has βrβ as a variable.
Below is a sector of a circle. The diameter of the circle is 12\mathrm{~cm}.
Calculate the arc length to the nearest tenth.
Find the length of the radius or the diameter.
Diameter: d=12\mathrm{~cm}
Find the size of the angle creating the sector.
As angles around a point total 360^{\circ} ,
Angle of the sector: \theta=360-205=155^{\circ}
Substitute the known values into the formula for the arc length and solve.
As you know the diameter, you can use the formula which has βdβ as a variable.
The arch of a garden gate is in the shape of a circular sector, where the radius of the circle is 15\mathrm{~cm} and the central angle of the sector is 120^{\circ}. Find the length of the arc that forms the top part of the arch in terms of \pi.
Find the length of the radius or the diameter.
Radius: r=15\mathrm{~cm}.
Find the size of the angle creating the sector.
The angle of the arc: \theta=120^{\circ}.
Substitute the known values into the formula for the arc length and solve.
As you know the radius, you can use the formula which has βrβ as a variable.
In order to solve problems given the arc length:
Find the angle of the sector with an arc length of 6 \mathrm{~cm} and a radius of 18\mathrm{~cm}.
Give your answer to the nearest degree.
Find the known values.
The known values are:
Arc length: x=6\mathrm{~cm}
Radius: r=18\mathrm{~cm}
Substitute the known values into the formula for the arc length.
As you know the radius, you can use the formula which has βrβ as a variable.
Solve for the unknown value.
First, simplify the right hand side of the equation:
6=\cfrac{\theta}{360}\times\pi\times{36}
Divide both sides by 36\text{:}
\cfrac{1}{6}=\cfrac{\theta}{360}\times\pi
Divide both sides by \pi\text{:}
\cfrac{1}{6\pi}=\cfrac{\theta}{360}
Multiply both sides by 360\text{:}
Find the radius of the sector with an arc length of 4.5\mathrm{~m} and an angle of 72^{\circ}.
Give your answer to the nearest centimeter.
Find the known values.
The known values are:
Arc length: x=4.5\mathrm{~m}
Angle: \theta=72^{\circ}
Substitute the known values into the formula for the arc length.
As you want to know the radius, use the formula which has βrβ as a variable.
Solve for the unknown value.
First, simplify the right hand side of the equation:
4.5=0.4\times\pi\times{r}
Divide both sides by 0.4\text{:}
11.25=\pi\times{r}
Divide both sides by \pi\text{:}
r=3.58\mathrm{~cm}=358\mathrm{~cm}
1. What part of a circle does the pink line show?
Segment
Major arc
Minor arc
Sector
Part of the circumference is called an arc. The pink line is more than half of the circumference, so it is a major arc.
2. The diagram shows a semicircle. What is the length of the curved edge, in terms of \pi.
A semicircle has an angle of 180^{\circ}. As the diameter d=8\mathrm{~cm},
\begin{aligned}x&=\cfrac{180}{360}\times\pi\times{8} \\\\ &=4\pi \\\\ &=12.57\mathrm{~cm}\text{ (2dp)} \end{aligned}
3. Find the length of the arc of the sector. Give your answer to the nearest tenth.
A quarter circle has an angle of 90^{\circ}. As the radius r=6\mathrm{~cm},
\begin{aligned}x&=\cfrac{90}{360}\times2\times\pi\times{6} \\\\ &=3\pi \\\\ &=9.42\mathrm{~cm}\text{ (2dp)} \end{aligned}
4. Find the length of the arc of the sector. Give your answer to the nearest tenth.
The sector has an angle of 40^{\circ}. As the radius r=7\mathrm{~cm},
\begin{aligned}x&=\cfrac{40}{360}\times2\times\pi\times{7} \\\\ &=4.9\mathrm{~cm}\text{ (1dp)} \end{aligned}
5. Find the length of the arc of the sector. Give your answer to the nearest tenth.
Substituting the values you know into the formula for the arc length, remembering \theta=60^{\circ} because this is an equilateral triangle.
\begin{aligned}x&=\cfrac{60}{360}\times2\times\pi\times{8} \\\\ &=8.4\mathrm{~cm}\text{ (1dp)} \end{aligned}
6. Find the angle of the sector with an arc length of 10\pi\mathrm{~cm} and a radius of 12\mathrm{~cm}.
Substituting the values you know into the formula for arc length,
\begin{aligned}10\pi&=\cfrac{\theta}{360}\times2\times\pi\times{12} \\\\ \cfrac{10}{12}&=\cfrac{\theta}{360} \\\\ \theta&=150^{\circ} \end{aligned}
An arc of a circle is a portion of the circumference of a circle.
An arc can be measured in two ways:
β¦ Arc Length: The distance along the curved line of the arc, typically measured in linear units (for example, centimeters, inches). This can be measured using the arc length formula.
β¦ Central Angle: The angle subtended by the arc at the center of the circle, measured in degrees or radians.
An inscribed angle is an angle formed by two chords (line segments) in a circle that share an endpoint on the circle. The vertex of the inscribed angle is on the circle, and the angle subtends an arc.
No, an arc of a circle cannot be a straight line. An arc is a curved segment of the circle’s circumference.
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Prepare for math tests in your state with these 3rd Grade to 8th Grade practice assessments for Common Core and state equivalents.
Get your 6 multiple choice practice tests with detailed answers to support test prep, created by US math teachers for US math teachers!