Understand the idea.
Use radians
The fraction of the circle in a sector is when is in radians. Apply that same fraction to circumference and circle area to obtain arc length and sector area. Decide whether the requested sector is major or minor.
Reverse problems and boundaries
An arc is only the curved boundary. A sector perimeter adds the two straight radii to that arc. In reverse questions, rearrange for the unknown first and choose a positive radius; distinguish length units from square area units.
See the method in action.
Worked example 1
Find arc and area for radius 6 cm and angle .
Worked solution
- 1
Calculate the curved arc.
The angle is already in radians, so the arc formula applies directly.
- 2
Calculate the sector area.
The sector is one third of a circle of radius 6 cm.
- 3
Check both fractions of the full circle.
Arc and area must represent the same fraction of their full-circle totals.
and
Worked example 2
A sector has area 18 cm² and angle 1 radian. Find radius and perimeter.
Worked solution
- 1
Rearrange the sector area equation.
The given angle is one radian, not one degree.
- 2
Choose the positive radius and find the arc.
A radius is positive, and the curved boundary equals radius times radian angle.
- 3
Add both straight boundaries.
A sector perimeter includes the arc and its two radii.
Radius 6 cm; perimeter 18 cm.
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
Find the arc for r=4 cm and θ=0.5 rad.
Show answer & reasoning
2 cm.
The angle is already in radians, so . This is a length, not an area.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions · 18 marks
Read the questions online
- Find arc length for cm, .3 marks
- Find sector area for m, rad.3 marks
- Find the exact arc for radius 8 cm and angle .3 marks
- A sector has radius 7 cm and arc 14 cm. Find angle and area.3 marks
- Find the full perimeter of a sector cm, .3 marks
- A 12 m² sector has radius 4 m. Find its angle in radians and degrees to one decimal place.3 marks
Read the worked solutions
Equivalent correct methods earn the corresponding marks. Include units where asked.
- Find arc length for cm, .3 marks
.
- Find sector area for m, rad.3 marks
.
15 m². - Find the exact arc for radius 8 cm and angle .3 marks
; multiply by 8.
- A sector has radius 7 cm and arc 14 cm. Find angle and area.3 marks
; .
2 rad;49 cm². - Find the full perimeter of a sector cm, .3 marks
Arc is ; add both radii.
- A 12 m² sector has radius 4 m. Find its angle in radians and degrees to one decimal place.3 marks
, so .
.
.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
SACE Board of South Australia
Stage 1 Mathematics: triangle rules, circular measure and trigonometric functions; school sequencing may vary.
Official curriculum source ↗