Understanding Minor Arcs | Definition, Calculation, and Examples

Minor Arc

In mathematics, an arc is a portion of a curve, typically a segment of a circle

In mathematics, an arc is a portion of a curve, typically a segment of a circle. A minor arc refers to the shorter portion of the curve between two points on the circumference of the circle.

To better understand a minor arc, let’s consider a circle with its center (O) and two points on its circumference, A and B. The minor arc AB would be the shorter curve connecting these two points.

It is important to note that the measure of a minor arc is always less than 180 degrees, as it covers a smaller portion of the circle. The length of a minor arc is related to the radius of the circle and the measure of the central angle subtending the arc. The formula to calculate the length of a minor arc is given by:

Length of minor arc = (measure of central angle / 360 degrees) × (circumference of the circle)

So, the length of a minor arc can be determined by dividing the measure of the central angle (in degrees) by 360 and multiplying it by the circumference of the circle.

In summary, a minor arc is a curve that connects two points on a circle, covering a smaller portion of the circumference. Its length can be calculated using the formula mentioned above.

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