Arcs in Circles

An arc is part of a circle's circumference.

In a circle, the degree measure of an arc is equal to the measure of the central
angle that intercepts the arc.

In a circle, the length of an arc is a portion of the circumference.

Remembering that the arc measure is the measure of the central angle, a definition can be formed
as:

Example:
In circle O, the radius is 8, and the measure of minor arc
degrees. Find the length of minor arc

is 110

to the nearest integer.

Solution:

= 15.35889742 = 15
Understanding how an arc is measured makes the next theorems common sense.
In the same circle, or congruent
circles, congruent central angles have
congruent arcs.

In the same circle, or congruent

circles, congruent arcs have

congruent central angles.

Remember: In the same circle, or congruent circles, congruent arcs have congruent chords.
Knowing this theorem makes the next theorems seem straight forward.
Central Angle Theorem
Theorem: The central angle subtended by two points on a circle is twice the inscribed
angle subtended by those points.
Try this Drag the orange dot at point P. Note that the central angle AOB is always twice
the inscribed angle APB.
The Central Angle Theorem states that the measure of inscribed angle (APB) is always half
the measure of the central angle AOB. As you adjust the points above, convince yourself that
this is true.
Exception

This theorem only holds when P is in the major arc. If P is in the minor arc (that is, between
A and B) the two angles have a different relationship. In this case, the inscribed angle is
the supplement of half the central angle. As a formula:
In other words, it is 180 minus what it would
normally be.

In the same circle, or congruent

circles, congruent central angles have
congruent chords.

In the same circle, or congruent

circles, congruent chords have
congruent central angles.
Inscribed Angle
From Latin: in "inside" + scribere "to write"
Definition: The angle subtended at a point on the circle by two given points on the circle.
Try this Drag any orange dot. Note that when moving the point P, the inscribed angle is constant

while it is in the major arc formed by A,B.

Given two points A and B, lines from them to a third point P form the inscribed angleAPB. As
you drag the point P above, notice that the inscribed angle is constant. It only depends on the
position of A and B.
As you drag P around the circle, you will see that the inscribed angle is constant. But when P is
in the minor arc (shortest arc between A and B), the angle is still constant, but is the supplement
of the usual measure. That is, it is 180-m, where is m is the usual measure.
Formula for inscribed angle
If you know the length of the minor arc and radius, the inscribed angle is given by the formula
below.
where:
L is the length of the minor (shortest) arc AB
R is the radius of the circle
is Pi, approximately 3.142
The formula is correct for points in the major arc. If the point is in the minor arc, then the will
produce the supplement of the correct result, but the the length of the minor arc should still be
used in the formula.
Central Angle

A similar concept is the central angle. This is the angle subtended at thecenter of the
circle by the two given points. See Central Angle definition
The central angle is always twice the inscribed angle. See Central Angle Theorem.
Relationship to Thales' Theorem
Refer to the above figure. If the two points A,B form a diameter of the circle, the inscribed angle
will be 90, which is Thales' Theorem. You can verify this yourself by solving the formula above
using an arc length of half the circumference of the circle.
You can also move the points A or B above until the inscribed angle is exactly 90. You will see
that the points A and B are then diametrically opposite each other.

Central Angle
From Latin: centrum- "center"
Definition: The angle subtended at the center of a circle by two given points on the circle.

Try this Drag any orange dot. Note that when moving the points A or B the angle at the
center changes.
Given two points A and B, lines from them to center of the circle form the central
angle AOB. The central angle is the smaller of the two at the center. It does not mean
the reflex angle AOB. As you drag the points above, the angle will change to reflect this
as it increases through 180
Arcs and Chords
The two points A and B can be isolated points, or they could be the end points of
anarc or chord. When they are the end points of an arc, the angle is sometimes called the
"arc central angle".
Inscribed Angle
A similar concept is the inscribed angle. This is the angle subtended at a point on the circle
by the two given points. See Inscribed Angle definition
The central angle is always twice the inscribed angle

http://www.mathopenref.com/arccentralangletheorem.html
http://www.regentsprep.org/regents/math/geometry/gp15/circlearcs.htm