Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
Radians
Radians are units for measuring angles.
They can be used instead of degrees.
r
O
1 radian is the size of the
angle formed at the centre of
a circle by 2 radii which join
the ends of an arc equal in
length to the radius.
r
r
x = 1 radian
x
= 1 rad. or 1
c
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
r
O
2r
r
2
c
If the arc is 2r, the angle is 2 radians.
Radians
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
O
If the arc is 3r, the angle is 3 radians.
r
3r
r
3
c
If the arc is 2r, the angle is 2 radians.
Radians
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
O
If the arc is 3r, the angle is 3 radians.
c
143
If the arc is 2r, the angle is 2 radians.
r
r
If the arc is r, the angle is radians.143 143
r143
Radians
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
O
If the arc is 3r, the angle is 3 radians.
r
r
If the arc is 2r, the angle is 2 radians.
If the arc is r, the angle is radians.143 143
If the arc is r, the angle is radians.
rc
Radians
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
If the arc is r, the angle is radians.
O
r
r
rc
But, r is half the circumference of the circle
so the angle is
180
180 radians Hence,
Radians
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
We sometimes say the angle at the centre
is subtended by the arc.
180 radians
Hence,
180
357
radian 1
r
O
r
rx
x = 1 radian
357
Radians
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
Radians
SUMMARY
•One radian is the size of the angle subtended
by the arc of a circle equal to the radius
180 radians •
• 1 radian
357
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
Exercises
1. Write down the equivalent number of degrees
for the following number of radians:
Ans:
(a) (b) (c)
(d)2
3
2
6
(a) (b) (c)
(d)
60
45
120
30
2. Write down, as a fraction of , the number of
radians equal to the following:
(a) (b) (c) (d)
60
90
360
30
(a) (b) (c) (d)
3
6
3
2
4
Ans:
It is very useful to memorize these conversions
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
Arc Length and Sector Area
Let the arc length be
l .
O
r
r
l
rl
2
2
Consider a sector of a circle with angle .θ
Then, whatever fraction is of
the total angle at O, . . .
θ
θrl
2
θ
. . . l is the same fraction of the
circumference. So,
( In the diagram this is about one-third.)
2
l circumference
2
l
circumference
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
O
r
r
θ
θrA
2
2
1
Also, the sector area A is the same
fraction of the area of the circle.
A
2
A
circle area
2
2
rθ
A
Arc Length and Sector Area
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
Examples
1. Find the arc length, l, and area, A, of the sector
of a circle of radius 7 cm. and sector angle 2
radians.
Solution: where is in radiansθrl θ
cm.14)2)(7( ll
θrA
2
2
1
.cm
2
49)2()7(
2
1 2
AA
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
2. Find the arc length, l, and area, A, of the sector
of a circle of radius 5 cm. and sector angle .
Give exact answers in terms of .
150
Solution: where is in radiansθrl θ
180 rads.
6
30
rads.
6
5
150
rads.
So, cm.
6
25
6
5
5
llrθl
θrA
2
2
1
.cm
2
12
125
6
5
)5(
2
1 2
AA
Examples
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
Radians
•An arc of a circle equal in length to the
radius subtends an angle equal to 1 radian.
180 radians •
• 1 radian
357
θrl
θrA
2
2
1
For a sector of angle radians of a circle
of radius r,
θ
•the arc length, l, is given by
•the sector area, A, is given by
SUMMARY
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
1. Find the arc length, l,
and area, A, of the
sector shown.
O
4 cm
A
c
2
l
2. Find the arc length, l, and area, A, of the sector
of a circle of radius 8 cm. and sector angle .
Give exact answers in terms of .
120
Exercises
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
1. Solution:
θrl cm.8)2)(4( l
θrA
2
2
1
.cm
2
16)2()4(
2
2
1
A
O
4 cm
A
c
2
l
Exercises
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
2. Solution:
180 rads.
3
60
rads.
3
2
120
rads.
So, cm.
3
16
3
2
8
llrθl
θrA
2
2
1
.cm
2
3
64
3
2
)8(
2
1 2
AA
O
8 cm
A
120
l
where is in radiansθrl
Exercises
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
The following slides contain repeats of
information on earlier slides, shown without
colour, so that they can be printed and
photocopied.
For most purposes the slides can be printed
as “Handouts” with up to 6 slides per sheet.
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
Radians
SUMMARY
•One radian is the size of the angle subtended
by the arc of a circle equal to the radius
180 radians •
• 1 radian
357
r
O
r
rx
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
Arc Length and Sector Area
Let the arc length be
l .
O
r
r
l
rl
2
2
Consider a sector of a circle with angle .θ
Then, whatever fraction is of
the total angle at O, . . .
θ
θrl
2
θ
. . . l is the same fraction of the
circumference. So,
( In the diagram this is about one-third.)
2
l circumference
2
l
circumference
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
2
2
rθ
A
Arc Length and Sector Area
O
r
r
θ
θrA
2
2
1
Also, the sector area A is the same
fraction of the area of the circle.
A
2
A
circle area
Radians, Arc Length and Sector Area
SUMMARY
θrl
θrA
2
2
1
For a sector of angle radians of a circle
of radius r,
θ
•the arc length, l, is given by
•the sector area, A, is given by