ARC LENGTHS

In the figure below, the arc XY subtends an angle of 90◦ at O, the centre of the circle. Since the
90 1
whole circumference subtends 360◦ at O. Therefore, the length of arc XY is or of the
360 4
circumference of the circle. In figure below , arc AB subtends an angle of θ◦ at O. The
circumference of a circle is given as 2πr. Therefore, the length, l of the arc AB is given as


l x 2 r
360

X A

90◦
θ◦
O Y O

Figure 2
Figure 1

EXAMPLE 1
An arc subtends an angle of 115◦ at the centre of a circle of radius 12 cm. Find the length of the
arc.
126
Length of arc  x 2 x 12
360
126 22
= x2x x 12 = 26.4 cm
360 7

EXAMPLE 2
What angle does an arc of 14 cm in length subtend at the centre of a circle of radius 21 cm.
  22
19.8  x2x x7
360 7
19.8 x 360 x 7
=  162
2 x 22 x 7

EXAMPLE 3
Calculate the perimeter of a sector of a circle of radius 21 m, the angle of the sector being 200 ◦.

200 22
Length of arc = x2x x 21 = 73.3 cm
360 7
200◦ Perimeter of sector = 21 + 21 + 73.3 = 115.3 cm

21 cm
21 cm

22
EXERCISE 1 ( let π = unless stated otherwise)
7

(1) An arc subtends an angle of 72◦ at the centre of a circle of radius 35m. Find the length of
the arc.

(2) What is the length of an arc which subtends an angle of 60◦ at the centre of circle with
1
radius m? ( give answer to 2 d.p.)
2

(3) What angle does an arc 10.1 mm in length subtend at the centre of a circle with diameter
14 mm? ( give answer to 1 d.p.)

(4) Calculate the perimeter of a sector of a circle of radius 28 cm, the angle of the sector
being 120◦ . ( give answer to 1 d.p.)

(5) The minute hand of a clock is 6.3 cm long. Find the distance moved by the tip of the hand
in 30 minutes.
 AREA OF SECTORS

In the figure 1 below, the arc XY subtends an angle of 90◦ at O, the centre of the circle. Since
90 1
the whole circumference subtends 360◦ at O. Therefore, the area of the sector XOY is or
360 4
of the area of the circle. In figure 2 below , arc AB subtends an angle of θ◦ at O. The area of a
circle is given as πr2. Therefore, the area, A of the minor sector AOB is given as


A x  r2
360

X
A

90◦
θ◦
O Y O

Figure 2
Figure 2

EXAMPLE 1
The diagram shows a circle centre O and radius 4.5
T
cm. The major sector angle ROS = 290 ◦ .
(a) Calculate the area of the major sector ROST.
290◦

O Area of sector =
S
 290
 x  r2  x 3.14 x 4.52 = 51.2 cm 2
360 360
R
 22
EXERCISE 2 ( let π = unless stated otherwise)
7

(1) Calculate the area of a sector of a circle which subtends an angle of 45◦ at the centre of the
circle , radius 14 cm.

(2) Find the area of each of the sectors below

(a) (b)

185◦
◦
60

21 cm

(3) For some sports events, a sports ground has a sector of a circle of radius 63 m with an
angle of 72◦ at the centre of the circle. Find the area of this sector.

(4) A sector of angle 30◦ is cut out of a circular disc of radius 28 cm. Find the area of the
remaining part of the circle. ( give answer to 1 d.p.)

(5) The blade of a car windscreen wiper sweeps

out an area shown by the shading in the figure.
The inside radius is 28 cm and the outside radius
is 56 cm. The angle is 120◦. Calculate the area
swept by the blade.
 ANSWERS

EXERCISE 1

(1) 44 cm

(2) 0.52 m.

(3) 82.6◦

(4) 112.7 cm

(5) 19.8 cm

EXERCISE 2

(1) 77 cm2
(2) (a) 231 cm2 (b) 316.6 m2

(3) 2494.8 m2.

(4) 2258.7 cm2

(5) 2464 cm2