Understanding Minor Arcs in Mathematics: Definition and Examples

Minor arc

In mathematics, an arc is a portion of a circle’s circumference

In mathematics, an arc is a portion of a circle’s circumference. A minor arc is an arc that measures less than 180 degrees or half the circumference of the circle.

To understand the concept of a minor arc, let’s consider a circle with center O and two points A and B on the circle. If we draw a continuous curve from point A to point B, passing through the circle’s circumference, it forms an arc.

Now, if we measure the angle subtended by the arc at the center O of the circle, we can determine if it is a minor arc or a major arc. If the angle is less than 180 degrees, then the arc is a minor arc.

For example, if the angle AOB measures 60 degrees, then the arc AB is a minor arc. This means that the arc AB spans only 1/3 of the total circumference of the circle.

It is important to note that a minor arc is paired with a major arc, which spans the remaining portion of the circle’s circumference. In our example, the major arc associated with AB would be the arc ACB, which measures 300 degrees or 5/6 of the total circumference of the circle.

To summarize, a minor arc is a portion of a circle’s circumference that measures less than 180 degrees or half the circumference of the circle. It is defined by the central angle subtended by the arc at the center of the circle.

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