Arc of a Circle

An arc of a circle is a portion of the circumference of a circle. It is defined by two points on the circle, called the endpoints of the arc, and the angle formed by the radii drawn to the endpoints.

Properties of an Arc of a Circle

• The length of an arc is equal to the radius of the circle multiplied by the angle of the arc in radians.
• The area of an arc is equal to half the product of the radius of the circle and the square of the angle of the arc in radians.
• The arc of a circle is a sector of a circle if and only if the angle of the arc is equal to 180 degrees.

Examples of Arcs of a Circle

Some examples of arcs of a circle include:

• The arc of a rainbow
• The arc of a bridge
• The arc of a gear tooth
• The arc of a pendulum

Arcs of a circle are a fundamental concept in geometry and have a wide range of applications in the real world.

Arc Formula

An arc is a part of a circle. It is defined by two points on the circle, called the endpoints of the arc, and the angle formed by the two radii drawn to the endpoints. The length of an arc is the distance along the circle between the endpoints.

Formula for the Length of an Arc

The length of an arc can be calculated using the following formula:

$$L = rθ$$

where:

• $L$ is the length of the arc
• $r$ is the radius of the circle
• $\theta$ is the angle formed by the two radii drawn to the endpoints of the arc, measured in radians

Example

Find the length of an arc of a circle with radius 5 cm that subtends an angle of 60 degrees.

First, we need to convert the angle from degrees to radians:

$$60^\circ = 60 \times \frac{\pi}{180} = \frac{\pi}{3} \text{ radians}$$

Now we can use the formula for the length of an arc to find the length of the arc:

$$L = rθ = 5 \times \frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{5\pi}{3} \approx 5.24 \text{ cm}$$

Therefore, the length of the arc is approximately 5.24 cm.

Applications of the Arc Formula

The arc formula is used in a variety of applications, including:

• Measuring the distance between two points on a circle
• Finding the area of a sector of a circle
• Calculating the circumference of a circle
• Designing and constructing circular objects, such as gears and pulleys

Uses of Arc

An arc is a portion of a circle. It is a curved line that connects two points on a circle. Arcs are used in various fields, including mathematics, engineering, architecture, and design.

Mathematics

In mathematics, arcs are used to measure angles. The measure of an arc is the length of the arc divided by the radius of the circle. Arcs are also used to define trigonometric functions.

Engineering

In engineering, arcs are used to design and construct bridges, buildings, and other structures. Arcs are also used in mechanical engineering to design gears and other components.

Architecture

In architecture, arcs are used to create vaults, domes, and other structural elements. Arcs are also used to create decorative elements, such as arches and windows.

Design

In design, arcs are used to create logos, icons, and other graphic elements. Arcs are also used to create patterns and textures.

Additional Uses of Arcs

In addition to the above, arcs are also used in:

• Surveying
• Navigation
• Astronomy
• Cartography
• Robotics
• Virtual reality
• Augmented reality

Arcs are a versatile tool that can be used in a variety of applications. Their unique shape and properties make them ideal for a wide range of tasks.

Solved Examples on Arc

Example 1: Finding the Length of an Arc

Find the length of the arc of a circle with radius 5 cm that intercepts an angle of 60 degrees.

Solution:

The length of an arc is given by the formula:

$$s = rθ$$

where:

• s is the length of the arc
• r is the radius of the circle
• θ is the angle of the arc in radians

In this case, we have:

• r = 5 cm
• θ = 60 degrees = π/3 radians

Substituting these values into the formula, we get:

$$s = 5 cm * π/3 radians ≈ 5.24 cm$$

Therefore, the length of the arc is approximately 5.24 cm.

Example 2: Finding the Area of a Sector

Find the area of a sector of a circle with radius 10 cm that intercepts an angle of 120 degrees.

Solution:

The area of a sector is given by the formula:

$$A = 1/2 r^2θ$$

where:

• A is the area of the sector
• r is the radius of the circle
• θ is the angle of the sector in radians

In this case, we have:

• r = 10 cm
• θ = 120 degrees = 2π/3 radians

Substituting these values into the formula, we get:

$$A = 1/2 * 10 cm^2 * 2π/3 radians ≈ 33.33 cm^2$$

Therefore, the area of the sector is approximately 33.33 cm^2.

Example 3: Finding the Central Angle of an Arc

Find the central angle of an arc of a circle with radius 8 cm that has a length of 12 cm.

Solution:

The central angle of an arc is given by the formula:

$$θ = s/r$$

where:

• θ is the central angle of the arc
• s is the length of the arc
• r is the radius of the circle

In this case, we have:

• s = 12 cm
• r = 8 cm

Substituting these values into the formula, we get:

$$θ = 12 cm / 8 cm = 1.5 radians$$

Therefore, the central angle of the arc is 1.5 radians.