Arcs and Angles Subtended
Circles are one of the most fundamental shapes in geometry. They appear in nature, technology, and art, making their understanding important from both a theoretical and practical perspective. In this guide, we will discuss in depth one of the key concepts when dealing with circles: arcs and angles subtended.
What is a circle?
A circle is defined as the set of all points in a plane that are the same distance from a given point, called the center. This distance from the center to any point on the circle is called the radius.
Fundamentals of a circle
- Radius - The distance from the center of a circle to any point on the circle.
- Diameter - The longest distance from one end of a circle to the other. It is twice the length of the radius.
- Circumference - The distance around the circle.
- Arc - A portion of the circumference of a circle.
- Sector - The area inside a circle bounded by two radii of the circle and the arc between them.
- Central angle - The angle whose vertex is at the centre of the circle and whose sides are radii.
Understanding the arc
When you draw a curve between two points on a circle, this curve is called an arc. Arcs are represented by length in terms of their endpoints and the angle subtended at the center.
The red curve in the picture above is the arc of the circle. You have two types of arcs:
- Minor arc - An arc that is smaller than a semicircle.
- Major arc - An arc that is larger than a semicircle.
Angle subtended by the arc at the centre
The angle subtended by an arc at the centre of a circle is called the central angle. It is formed by drawing two radii from the centre to the end points of the arc.
Arc AB subtends a central angle ∠AOB. Where O is the centre of the circle.
In this diagram, the arc from point A to point B forms the central angle ∠AOB. Remember, central angles are always measured in degrees.
Angle subtended by an arc on a circle
The angles formed by the same arc at different points on a circle are called angles in the same line segment. These angles are equal to each other.
Note that both ∠ACB and ∠ADB are subtended by the same arc AB and are equal.
Important theorems
Angle theorem at the center
The central angle is always twice any angle subtended by the same arc on the circumference. Thus, if θ is the angle subtended on the circle, then the central angle is 2θ.
∠AOB = 2 * ∠ACB
Example problems
Example 1:
Consider a circle with centre O. Let points A and B lie on the circle such that the arc AB subtends the central angle ∠AOB = 80° at centre O. Find the angle subtended by the same arc at point C on the circle.
The angle subtended by the arc at any point on the circle is half the angle subtended at the centre.
∠ACB = ∠AOB / 2 = 80° / 2 = 40°
Example 2:
In a given circle, arc XY subtends an angle of 100° at the centre O. Find the angle subtended by arc XY at any point Z on the opposite segment of the circle.
∠XZY = ∠XOY / 2 = 100° / 2 = 50°
Practice problem 1:
If the angle subtended by an arc at the centre of a circle is 120°, then what will be the angle subtended by the same arc at any point on the circle?
Solution: ∠A = 120° / 2 = 60°
Practice problem 2:
A chord divides a circle into two arcs, major and minor. If an arc subtends an angle of 130° at the centre of the circle, find both the angles subtended by the arc at any point on the circle which does not lie on the diameter.
Solution: Angle subtended at any point for minor arc = 130° / 2 = 65° Angle subtended at any point for major arc = 360° - 130° = 230° 230° / 2 = 115°
Conclusion
Understanding the relationship between arcs and the angles they form is an important part of geometrical studies. When examining circles, the link between central angles and the angles formed at the circumference serves as a bridge to connect various geometrical theorems and properties. Practicing these concepts through the given exercises and visualizations helps strengthen your understanding of this essential topic in mathematics.