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Mensuration - Arc Length and Sector Area

Grade 9IGCSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

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The arc length is a fraction of the total circumference of a circle. If the central angle θ\theta is measured in degrees, the arc length ll is calculated as l=θ360×2πrl = \frac{\theta}{360} \times 2\pi r.

A circle showing a sector with radius r and a central angle of 60 degrees illustrating arc length.
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The area of a sector represents a proportional slice of the total area of the circle. It is determined by the ratio of the central angle to the full 360∘360^\circ rotation: Area=θ360×πr2Area = \frac{\theta}{360} \times \pi r^2.

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The perimeter of a sector is the sum of the curved arc length and the two straight radii that bound the sector. Perimeter=Arc Length+2rPerimeter = \text{Arc Length} + 2r.

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When the central angle θ\theta is larger than 180∘180^\circ, the sector is referred to as a 'Major Sector', and its boundary is the 'Major Arc'. For θ<180∘\theta < 180^\circ, it is a 'Minor Sector'.

📐Formulae

Arc Length (ll) = θ360×2πr\frac{\theta}{360} \times 2\pi r

Sector Area (AA) = θ360×πr2\frac{\theta}{360} \times \pi r^2

Perimeter of Sector = θ360×2πr+2r\frac{\theta}{360} \times 2\pi r + 2r

Area of Sector (given arc length ll) = 12rl\frac{1}{2} r l

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A sector of a circle has a radius of 10 cm10\text{ cm} and a central angle of 72∘72^\circ. Calculate the length of the arc. (Take π=3.142\pi = 3.142)

Solution:

l=72360×2×3.142×10=0.2×62.84=12.568 cml = \frac{72}{360} \times 2 \times 3.142 \times 10 = 0.2 \times 62.84 = 12.568\text{ cm}

Explanation:

Identify the fraction of the circle by dividing the angle 72∘72^\circ by 360∘360^\circ. Multiply this fraction by the full circumference (2πr2\pi r) to find the arc length.

Problem 2:

Find the area of a sector with a radius of 6 cm6\text{ cm} and a central angle of 120∘120^\circ. Give your answer in terms of π\pi.

Solution:

A=120360×π×62=13×36π=12π cm2A = \frac{120}{360} \times \pi \times 6^2 = \frac{1}{3} \times 36\pi = 12\pi\text{ cm}^2

Explanation:

Use the sector area formula. Since 120/360120/360 simplifies to 1/31/3, the area is exactly one-third of the total area of the circle (36π36\pi).

Problem 3:

The area of a sector is 25π cm225\pi\text{ cm}^2 and its radius is 10 cm10\text{ cm}. Find the central angle θ\theta.

Solution:

25π=θ360×π×102⇒25π=θ×100π360⇒25=10θ36⇒θ=25×3610=90∘25\pi = \frac{\theta}{360} \times \pi \times 10^2 \Rightarrow 25\pi = \frac{\theta \times 100\pi}{360} \Rightarrow 25 = \frac{10\theta}{36} \Rightarrow \theta = \frac{25 \times 36}{10} = 90^\circ

Explanation:

Substitute the known values (Area and Radius) into the sector area formula and solve for the unknown angle θ\theta by rearranging the equation.

Problem 4:

Calculate the total perimeter of a sector with radius 7 cm7\text{ cm} and central angle 90∘90^\circ. (Use π=227\pi = \frac{22}{7})

Solution:

Arc Length =90360×2×227×7=14×44=11 cm= \frac{90}{360} \times 2 \times \frac{22}{7} \times 7 = \frac{1}{4} \times 44 = 11\text{ cm}. Total Perimeter =11+7+7=25 cm= 11 + 7 + 7 = 25\text{ cm}.

Explanation:

First, calculate the arc length. Then, remember that the perimeter of a sector consists of the arc length plus two radii (r+rr + r).

Problem 5:

A sector has a radius of 14 cm14\text{ cm} and a central angle of 45∘45^\circ. Find the perimeter of the sector. (Take π=227\pi = \frac{22}{7})

A sector with radius 14 cm and a central angle of 45 degrees.

Solution:

Arc Length=45360×2×227×14\text{Arc Length} = \frac{45}{360} \times 2 \times \frac{22}{7} \times 14 Arc Length=18×2×22×2\text{Arc Length} = \frac{1}{8} \times 2 \times 22 \times 2 Arc Length=18×88=11 cm\text{Arc Length} = \frac{1}{8} \times 88 = 11\text{ cm} Perimeter=Arc Length+2r\text{Perimeter} = \text{Arc Length} + 2r Perimeter=11+2(14)\text{Perimeter} = 11 + 2(14) Perimeter=11+28=39 cm\text{Perimeter} = 11 + 28 = 39\text{ cm}

Explanation:

First, calculate the arc length using the formula for a 45∘45^\circ angle. Then, add the two radii to the arc length to find the total perimeter of the shape.

Problem 6:

Find the area of a major sector where the radius is 9 cm9\text{ cm} and the minor angle is 60∘60^\circ. Give your answer in terms of π\pi.

A major sector showing a central angle of 300 degrees and radius 9 cm.

Solution:

Major Angle=360∘−60∘=300∘\text{Major Angle} = 360^\circ - 60^\circ = 300^\circ Area=300360×π×92\text{Area} = \frac{300}{360} \times \pi \times 9^2 Area=56×π×81\text{Area} = \frac{5}{6} \times \pi \times 81 Area=5×272π\text{Area} = \frac{5 \times 27}{2} \pi Area=67.5π cm2\text{Area} = 67.5\pi\text{ cm}^2

Explanation:

To find the area of the major sector, first subtract the given minor angle from 360∘360^\circ to find the major central angle. Then apply the sector area formula.