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Identifying Minor Arcs, Major Arcs, and Semicircles in Circles

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Introduction to Arcs in Circle Geometry

An arc is a segment or part of a circle's circumference. There are three primary types:

  • Semicircle: Exactly half of a circle, measuring 180 degrees.
  • Minor Arc: An arc smaller than a semicircle.
  • Major Arc: An arc larger than a semicircle.

Understanding these distinctions is fundamental in circle geometry. For further practice on related geometric concepts, see Understanding Similar Figures and Triangles: A Comprehensive Guide.

Semicircle

  • Defined as half the circle, a semicircle measures 180°.
  • For example, the arc labeled TRS in the diagram is a semicircle.

Minor Arc

  • Measures less than 180°.
  • Its measure equals the corresponding central angle (angle formed at the center by the arc's endpoints).
  • Example: Arc RS is minor; its measure equals the central angle RPS.

Major Arc

  • Measures more than 180°, calculated as 360° minus the corresponding minor arc.
  • Example: The major arc RTS measure is 360° minus the measure of minor arc RS.

For methods on calculating arc lengths and areas related to these arcs, consider reviewing Calculating Arc Length, Triangle, and Sector Areas with Theta.

Identifying Arcs Using Points on a Circle

Given Circle P with multiple points on the circumference:

  • Minor Arcs with endpoint A: Examples include arc AD and arc AE. These are less than semicircles and have A as a boundary point.
  • Major Arcs with endpoint A: These can have multiple names depending on path chosen, e.g., arc AB or arc AED. Remember, different arcs can share endpoints but differ in length.
  • Semicircles involving point A: Examples include arcs ADB and AEB, each representing a half-circle.

For more on solving problems involving varying angles in triangles and circles, visit Solving Varying Angle Problems Using Sine and Cosine Laws.

Key Takeaways

  • The measure of a minor arc equals its central angle.
  • The measure of a major arc is 360° minus the measure of its minor arc.
  • Arc names can vary but endpoints remain consistent.
  • Always identify arcs relative to a semicircle for accurate classification.

This lesson helps build foundational knowledge in identifying arcs in circle geometry, crucial for solving related geometric problems efficiently. For a broader understanding of trigonometric foundations supporting these principles, check out Mastering Trigonometric Identities, Equations, and the CAST Diagram.

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