compare and contrast the difference between finding the arc length of a circle and finding the area of a sector of a circle

Question

compare and contrast the difference between finding the arc length of a circle and finding the area of a sector of a circle

Answer 1

This is very standard stuff.  Any standard calculus text will demonstrate the techniques and provide very nice graphical depictions.  The circumference is more straightforward while the Area can be achieved in (polar, rectangular or parametric variables).  Polar coordinatess are the most intuitive since they are 'generalized coordinates' for the given geometry.I'll just articulate the difference

 

1)The circumference can be computed by rdθ where r is the radius and dθ is an infinitesimal angular displacement of the radius about the center of the circle.  This quantity defines the infinitesimal arc-length of an infinitesimal sector of the circle.  Integration is straightforward by integrating through 2Pi radians to yield (2pi*r) for the circumference or (rθ) for an arc-length.

 

2)The Area requires a double integration.  Polar coordinates are still the logical choice although several other techniques yield the same result.  The infinitesimal area is now denoted by (dr)rdθ.  This captures an infinitesimal radial-sector area (infinitesimal in both radius and angle).  Integration is straightforward with integration limits of (r=0,R) & (θ=0,2Pi) to yield

 

A=pi*R²

 

For the entire area.  

 

A sector may also be calculated by accumulating infinitesimal triangles of area 1/2r(rdθ) and integrating over theta to give the same Area result.  However this now also yields the sector area of 1/2r²θ  Where θ remains the same [0,2pi]

 

Pictures are worth a 1000 words.  I'd highly recommend visiting any number of sites to see the infinitesimal arc-lengths and areas.

 

3)The solid sphere requires 3 parameters to yield the infinitesimal volume element and uses an additional angle for integration.

Answer 2

If an arc has a measure of q degrees and radius r, then its length is given by the formula

L=(q/180)*pi*r

Suppose q=180 degrees, then L=(180/180)*pi*r=pi*r

C=2*pi*r so pi*r is half of the circumference of the circle !

 

If a sector has radius r and its arc measure is q degrees, then the area is given by the formula

A=(q/360)*pi*r^2

Suppose q is 360 degrees, then A=(360/360)*pi*r^2=pi*r^2 which is the area of the entire circle !

Answer 3

Both calculate fractions of the whole.

 

Finding an arc length you find a fraction of the whole circumference of a circle.

 

Finding the area of a sector you find a fraction of the whole area of a circle.

 

The fraction in both cases is the item's central angle measure divided by the angle measure of one turn.

 

E.g., find the arc length and sector area for a central angle of ((3 pi)/2)/(2 pi) = 270°/360° = 3/4 turn of a circle with radius 3 inches.

 

Arc length = 3/4 * 2*pi*3 = 9 pi/2 inches.

Sector area = 3/4 * pi*3^2 = 27 pi/4 in^2.

Answer 4

Area of a circle = pi x r^2          pi = 22/7 and r is radius of circle

 

Area of a sector of a circle with angle @(theta) = ((pi x r^2) /(2 pi) x @) = (r^2/2) x @   theta is in radians

 

 

Circumfrence of a circle = 2 x pi x r

 

Arch length of sector of a circle with angle @ = ((2 x pi x r)/(2 pi) x @) = r x @

 

ratio of area of a sector to its acr length is always r/2