Sec 4 Integrated Mathematics

Topic: Circular Measure

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.
length of circumference
radius
2 r

r
2

No. of Radians in a circle

360 = 2 rads
180 = rads
180
573

1 rad =

Converting angles from Degrees to Radians

1.

Convert 45 to radians

45

180

2.

45
180

Leaving your answer in

terms of (exact)

Convert 75 to radians
75

75
180
180
1.308...
1.31

Leaving your answer in 3 sig. fig.

(approximated)

Converting angles from Radians to Degrees

1.

Convert

2
rads to degrees
3

3
2.

180

= 120

Convert 2.1 rads to degrees

21

180
= 1203

Sec 4 Integrated Mathematics

Finding Arc Length

When angles are measured in degrees:

Length of Arc XY , s

360

2 r

O
When angles are measured in radians:

2 r
2
r

Length of Arc XY , s

1.

Find the length of the arc AB.

A
Length of Arc AB r

2
3

2
5

3
10

cm
3
2.

B
5 cm

Find the radius of the sector ABC.

A
Length of Arc AB r
5
16 r

4
64
r
cm
5
3.

5
4

16 cm

An arc AB of a circle, centre O and radius r, subtends an angle of radians. Given that the
perimeter of the sector AOB is P cm, express r in terms of P and .

P 2r r
P r 2
r

P
cm
2

Sec 4 Integrated Mathematics

Finding Area of Sector

When angles are measured in degrees:

Area of Sector OXY , A

360

r2

When angles are measured in radians:

Area of Sector OXY , A

1.

r2
2
1 2
r
2

Find the area of the sector ABC, where ABC

and r = 2 cm.

1
2
2
2
3
2

cm 2
3

Area of Sector ABC

2.

Find the area of the sector ABC, where ABC 60 and r = 8 cm.
1 2
8
2
3
32

cm 2
3

Area of Sector ABC

Remember to convert
the angle to radians first!

Finding the Area of Segment

Area of segment = Area of sector area of a triangle

1
1
Area of Segment r 2 r 2 sin
2
2
1
r 2 sin
2

Sec 4 Integrated Mathematics

1.

Find the area of the shaded segment.

1 2
r sin
2
1 2

9 sin
2
6
6
0.95575...

Area of segment

0.956 cm 2
Exercise
For all questions, give all answers for in radians.
Q1

The diagram shows part of a circle, centre O and radius 7 cm. POQ is 1.2 radians. Find the area
and perimeter of the shaded region.

Q
7
1.2

P
Q2

In a sketch of a parachute below, APB is an arc centre X, radius 12 cm and

AXB = 0.8 radians. AQB is an arc centre Y, radius 6 cm and AYB = radians. Calculate the
(i)

value of ,

(ii)

area of the shaded region.

P
A

6
Y
12
0.8
X
Q3

In the diagram, the sector OAB has centre O, radius 9 cm and AOB =

AOB and M is the midpoint of OC. An arc PQ with centre M is drawn.

(a)

Find OMP.

(b)

Calculate the perimeter of the shaded region.

radians. OC bisects
C
B

A
P

M
9
O

Sec 4 Integrated Mathematics

Q4

The diagram below shows a semi-circular school field, centre O. During National Day, the uniform
groups assemble in the shaded regions of the field. Given that the radius is 30 m, arc AB = arc CD =
arc EF = 15 m, find BOE and hence, the perimeter of the shaded region.
O
A
F

Q5

The figure below shows two circles, centres X and Y, radii r1 cm and r2 cm which touches externally

radians and AB is parallel to XPY,

at P. Given that AXP = radians, BYP =
4
3

r1

P
h

r2
A

(a)

(b)

Express h in terms of r1.

Express h in terms of r2.
r
1
(iii)
Hence, show that 1
6
r2 2
Given further that r1 = 6,

(i)
(ii)

(i)
(ii)

Q6

find the perimeter of the shaded region

find the area of the shaded region.

The diagram shows a sector OPQRS with centre O. Arcs PQ, QR and RS have the same length.
Given that OP = 2 m, MN = 0.728 m and
POS

2
,
3

(a) show that OM = 1.064 m,

(b) find the perimeter of the shaded region,
(c) find the area of the shaded region.