Topic : Unit 1 Circular Measure

1.1 Measuring Angles in Radians

A radian is the angle subtended at the centre of a circle by an arc length whose length is equal to
that of the radius of the circle. This means a radian is the angle formed when the arc length and
the radius are the same.
The number of radians in a circle = length of circumference
Length of radius

2 r
=
r
= 2
360 = 2 rads
180 = rads
1 rad =

180
573

1.2 Changing Degrees to Radians

Rule:-

Multiply by

Example 1.

180
Convert 45 to radians

45
45
=
180 180
=

Example 2.

Convert 75 to radians, give your answer to 2sf.

75
75
=
180
180
= 1308996
= 13 (2sf)

1.3 Changing Radians to Degrees

Rule: Multiply by
Example 1.

Leave your answer in terms

of unless asked for more
accuracy

180

2
rads to degress
3
2 180
= 120

3
Convert

Example 2.

Convert 201 to degrees

180
21
= 1203

1.4 Finding Arc Lengths

The length of an arc is always proportional to the angle at the centre of the arc and the radius of the
arc. If 2 arcs have the same radius but one has an angle twice the size of the other, it means one arc
length will be twice the size of the other.

2l

Formula for finding an arc length: l = r

where l = arc length,

r = radius
= angle at the centre

l
=
2 r 2
( 2 r)

l=

2 r
2

l = r

Example 1.

Length of arc = angle at the centre

Circumference
total angle at centre

Ratio of sides = Ratio of angles

Find the length of the arc ABC.

l = r

2
r = 5cm =
3

2
l=5
3
l=

10
or 1047cm
3

Example 2.

Find the radius of the sector ABC

5
r = 16cm =
4

l = r
5
16 = r
4
4
16
=r
5

64
= r or r = 407cm
5
Example 3.

An arc AB or a circle, with centre o and radius r cm, subtends an angle of

radians at O. The perimeter of the sector AOB is P cm.
Express r in terms of .
p = (2 radius) + arc length
p = 2r + r
p
+ =r
2

1.5 Finding the Area of a Sector

Formula for area of a sector is A =

1 2
r
where r = radius , = angle at centre
2

A
=
2
r
2
2

( r )

A=

2
r
2
2

r
1 2
A=
or A = r
2
2

Area of Sector = angle at the centre

Area of circle
total angle at centre

Ratio of areas = Ratio of angles

Important : If the question gives the angle at the centre in degrees it must be changed to radians

Example 1.
Find the area of the sector ABC, where ABC =
and r = 2cm,
3
give your answer in terms of

Example 2.

A=

1 2
r
2

A=

1
2 2
2
3

A=

2
2
cm
3

where r = 2cm, =

Find the area of the sector ABC, where ABC = 60 and r = 8cm, give your answer to 3sf

60 = 60
180

A=

1 2
r
where =
2
3

A=

1
8 8
2
3

A=

32
3

, r = 8cm

A = 335 cm (2sf)
1.6 Finding the Area of a Segment
Formula for the area of a segment:A=
or A =

1 2 1 2
r r Sin
2
2
1 2
r ( sin )
2

where r = radius, = angle at centre

1
ab sin C , as a = b = r, ab = r2
2
Area of segment = Area of sector area of a triangle

Note : area of a triangle =

Area of segment

1 2
1
r r 2 sin
2
2

Example 1.

Find the area of the shaded segment.

A=

1 2
r ( sin)
2

A=

1 2
9
sin
2
6
6

where r = 9cm and =

A = 405 (0023598775)
A = 095575 (5sf)

1.7Application of circular measure

Example 1:
The figure ABCQP represents a key hole. ABC is part of a circle centre O and radius
4 mm. OPQ is an isosceles triangle and AP = 12 mm. Given that
calculate the area and perimeter of the key hole.

Solution:
Area =

0.5 2 0.541592653 (16) 0.5(16)(16) sin(0.541592653) 0.5( 4)( 4) sin(0.541592653)

= 111 mm2
Perimeter = 4 2 0.541592653 +12+12+6.42
= 53.4 mm2