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YEAR 11 · TRIGONOMETRY · 18 MIN

Arc length and sector area

Calculate arcs, sector areas and complete sector boundaries using radian angles.

In this lesson

Before you start
  • Algebraic rearrangement
  • Right-triangle geometry and angle units
01 / LEARN

Understand the idea.

Use radians

The fraction of the circle in a sector is θ2⁢π when θ 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.

s=r⁢θ,K=12r2θ

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.

02 / WORKED EXAMPLES

See the method in action.

EXAMPLE 01

Worked example 1

Find arc and area for radius 6 cm and angle 2⁢π3.

Worked solution

  1. 1

    Calculate the curved arc.

    s=r⁢θ=6(2⁢π3)=4⁢π cm

    The angle is already in radians, so the arc formula applies directly.

  2. 2

    Calculate the sector area.

    K=12r2θ=12⁢(36)(2⁢π3)=12⁢π cm2

    The sector is one third of a circle of radius 6 cm.

  3. 3

    Check both fractions of the full circle.

    4⁢π12⁢π=13,12⁢π36⁢π=13

    Arc and area must represent the same fraction of their full-circle totals.

Answer

4⁢π cm and 12⁢π cm2

EXAMPLE 02

Worked example 2

A sector has area 18 cm² and angle 1 radian. Find radius and perimeter.

Worked solution

  1. 1

    Rearrange the sector area equation.

    18=12r2(1)⟹r2=36

    The given angle is one radian, not one degree.

  2. 2

    Choose the positive radius and find the arc.

    r=6 cm,s=r⁢θ=6⁢(1)=6 cm

    A radius is positive, and the curved boundary equals radius times radian angle.

  3. 3

    Add both straight boundaries.

    P=s+2⁢r=6+2⁢(6)=18 cm

    A sector perimeter includes the arc and its two radii.

Answer

Radius 6 cm; perimeter 18 cm.

03 / YOUR TURN

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 s=r⁢θ=4⁢(0.5)=2 cm. This is a length, not an area.

Keep practising

6 worksheet questions · 18 marks

Read the questions online
  1. Find arc length for r=10 cm, θ=π5.
    3 marks
  2. Find sector area for r=5 m, θ=1.2 rad.
    3 marks
  3. Find the exact arc for radius 8 cm and angle 135∘.
    3 marks
  4. A sector has radius 7 cm and arc 14 cm. Find angle and area.
    3 marks
  5. Find the full perimeter of a sector r=4 cm, θ=π2.
    3 marks
  6. 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.

  1. Find arc length for r=10 cm, θ=π5.
    3 marks

    s=10⁢π5.

    2⁢π cm
  2. Find sector area for r=5 m, θ=1.2 rad.
    3 marks

    K=25⁢(1.2)2=15.

    15 m².
  3. Find the exact arc for radius 8 cm and angle 135∘.
    3 marks

    135∘=3⁢π4; multiply by 8.

    6⁢π cm
  4. A sector has radius 7 cm and arc 14 cm. Find angle and area.
    3 marks

    θ=147=2; K=49⁢(2)2=49.

    2 rad;49 cm².
  5. Find the full perimeter of a sector r=4 cm, θ=π2.
    3 marks

    Arc is 4⁢π2=2⁢π; add both radii.

    8+2⁢π cm
  6. A 12 m² sector has radius 4 m. Find its angle in radians and degrees to one decimal place.
    3 marks

    12=8⁢θ, so θ=1.5.

    1.5⁢(180π)=85.9437⁢….

    1.5 rad≈85.9∘.
Checking saved progress…
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 ↗

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