Circle and the radian measure

Terminology is important, because if you can’t understand the question, you can’t expect to earn marks.

Contents

Central angle

The central angle, θ\theta, is subtended (formed) by two radii of the same circle. Because the center is often labeled OO, central angles are often denoted as AO^BA\hat OB, with AA and BB on the circumference and the two radii.

central angle AOB subtended by radii OA and OB
Pac-Man Central angle AOB

θ\theta can also refer to other angles, but on this page it’s the central angle.

Arc length

The arc, which is part of the circumference enclosed by two radii, is associated with an arc length.

arclength is a fraction of the circumference
Arc length
l=circumferenceθ360°=πrθ180°l = \text{circumference}\cdot\frac{\theta}{360\degree} = \frac{\pi r\theta}{180\degree}

Note: the “arc measure” refers to the angle of an arc. The terms are not interchangeable.

The radian measure

The radian measure is an alternative unit to measure an angle. 1rad1 \text{rad} is roughly 57.3°57.3\degree. It is defined by

radian=arc lengthradius\text{radian} = \frac{\text{arc length}}{\text{radius}}

Because the circumference is C=2πrC = 2\pi r,

1 radian=12πturn=360°2π=180°π1\text{ radian} = \frac{1}{2\pi} \text{turn} = \frac{360\degree}{2\pi} = \frac{180\degree}{\pi}

The arc length in radians is simply

l=θr,    0θ2πl = \theta r, \;\; 0 \leq \theta \leq 2\pi

The radian is denoted by rad\text{rad}, c^c, or r^r and similar symbols. When there is neither a degree or a radian symbol, the angle is in radians.

Sector

A sector is a slice of a circle, formed by two radii.

sector is a slice
Sector

The area of a sector is

Asector=angle in degrees360°πr2A_\text{sector} = \frac{\text{angle in degrees}}{360\degree}\cdot \pi r^2
Asector=angle in radians2ππr2=12θr2A_\text{sector} = \frac{\text{angle in radians}}{2\pi}\cdot \pi r^2 = \frac 12 \theta r^2

The perimeter of a sector is the arc length plus twice the radius.

Chord and secant

A chord is a line segment connecting two points on the circumference, and it is shorter than the diameter. The line containing the chord is the secant.

chord is line segment; secant is a line
Chord and secant

Segment

A chord splits the circle into two regions. The small region is called a minor segment, or simply segment.

segment is the smaller part of a straight cut of a circle
Segment, or minor segment

The area of segment shall be discussed later, with introduction of the radian measure.

Tangent

A tangent is a line that is just touching the circle at one point. A tangent line is perpendicular to the radius at the point of tangency.

For any point outside the circle, two different tangent lines can be drawn. This point form an isosceles triangle with the two points of tangency.

two tangent lines
Two tangent lines forming an isosceles triangle with the chord connecting the two points of tangency

See also tangent and secant lines of a curve.