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Lesson 21 · Sectors and arcs
The fraction of the circle
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The fraction of the circle

A sector is a pie slice; an arc is the crust on that slice. No new machinery — just a fair share. The centre angle θ\theta (the Greek letter theta) tells you the slice's share of the full 360∘360^\circ: a 90∘90^\circ slice is 90360=14\tfrac{90}{360} = \tfrac{1}{4} of the pie, crust included.

Then take that fraction of whatever the whole circle owns. Slice of the area: A=θ360∘⋅πr2A = \dfrac{\theta}{360^\circ} \cdot \pi r^2 — A equals theta over three-sixty, times pi r squared. Slice of the crust — that length is the arc, ss: s=θ360∘⋅2πrs = \dfrac{\theta}{360^\circ} \cdot 2\pi r — s equals theta over three-sixty, times two pi r. Fraction first, then the familiar formula: two old friends, each wearing a slice-sized coat. The angles here all divide 360 cleanly — the fractions are friendly on purpose.

θrA

A=12r2θA = \frac{1}{2} r^{2} \theta

  • AA= Sector area (area)
  • rr= Radius (length)
  • θ\theta= Central angle (angle)
Circular Sector Area solver →
θrs

s=rθs = r \theta

  • ss= Arc length (length)
  • rr= Radius (length)
  • θ\theta= Central angle (angle)
Arc Length solver →