Math Problem Statement

A circle has radius 12 cm. Find, in exact form: a the length of an arc that subtends an angle at the centre of 45°, b the area of a sector in which the angle at the centre is 60°.

Solution

To solve these problems, we will use the formulas for the length of an arc and the area of a sector for a circle with a given radius rr and an angle θ\theta in degrees.

Part (a): Length of an Arc

The formula for the length of an arc LL that subtends an angle θ\theta at the center of a circle of radius rr is:

L=2πrθ360L = 2\pi r \cdot \frac{\theta}{360^\circ}

Given:

  • Radius r=12r = 12 cm
  • Angle θ=45\theta = 45^\circ

Substituting these values into the formula:

L=2π×12×45360L = 2\pi \times 12 \times \frac{45}{360}

Simplify the expression:

L=24π×18=3πcmL = 24\pi \times \frac{1}{8} = 3\pi \, \text{cm}

So, the length of the arc is 3π3\pi cm.

Part (b): Area of a Sector

The formula for the area AA of a sector with angle θ\theta is:

A=πr2θ360A = \pi r^2 \cdot \frac{\theta}{360^\circ}

Given:

  • Radius r=12r = 12 cm
  • Angle θ=60\theta = 60^\circ

Substitute these values into the formula:

A=π×122×60360A = \pi \times 12^2 \times \frac{60}{360}

Simplify the expression:

A=π×144×16=24πcm2A = \pi \times 144 \times \frac{1}{6} = 24\pi \, \text{cm}^2

So, the area of the sector is 24π24\pi cm².

Summary:

  • Length of the arc: 3π3\pi cm.
  • Area of the sector: 24π24\pi cm².

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Related Questions:

  1. How do you convert degrees to radians, and why is it useful in these calculations?
  2. What is the formula for the circumference of a circle, and how is it related to arc length?
  3. Can you calculate the length of an arc if the radius is different, say 15 cm, and the angle is 90°?
  4. What would be the area of a sector with a central angle of 90° in a circle with a radius of 10 cm?
  5. How does the area of a sector change if the angle is doubled but the radius remains the same?

Tip: Remember that both the length of an arc and the area of a sector are proportional to the angle subtended at the center of the circle.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Circles
Arc Length
Sector Area

Formulas

Arc Length: L = 2πr * (θ / 360°)
Sector Area: A = πr^2 * (θ / 360°)

Theorems

Proportionality of Arc Length and Sector Area to Angle Subtended

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10