Arc Length

Learn how to calculate the length of an arc using the central angle and radius.

Intermediate25 minLesson
Printable worksheet

Definition

An arc is a portion of a circle's circumference. The arc length is the distance along the curved line of the arc.
To find arc length, we use the formula:
s=θ360°×2πrs = \frac{\theta}{360°} \times 2\pi r
where:
  • ss = arc length
  • θ\theta = central angle (in degrees)
  • rr = radius of the circle
Alternatively, if the angle is in radians:
s=θ×rs = \theta \times r
This simpler formula works because radians are defined using arc length!

Try it now

What is the arc length of a full circle with radius 55 cm?

Worked Examples

Find the arc length of a sector with a central angle of 60°60° and a radius of 99 cm.
1

Identify the given values

θ=60°\theta = 60°, r=9r = 9 cm → Values identified
2

Write the arc length formula

s=θ360°×2πrs = \frac{\theta}{360°} \times 2\pi r → Formula ready
3

Substitute the values

s=60°360°×2π×9s = \frac{60°}{360°} \times 2\pi \times 9 → Values substituted
4

Simplify the fraction

s=16×18πs = \frac{1}{6} \times 18\pi → 60360=16\frac{60}{360} = \frac{1}{6}
5

Calculate the result

s=3π≈9.42s = 3\pi \approx 9.42 cm → 3π3\pi cm

Common Mistakes

Using the degree formula when the angle is in radians

Why it's wrong: The formulas are different! s=θ360°×2πrs = \frac{\theta}{360°} \times 2\pi r only works for degrees.

Correct: For radians, use the simpler formula: s=θ×rs = \theta \times r. Always check the units of the angle first.

Forgetting to convert the angle to the correct unit

Why it's wrong: Mixing degrees and radians gives incorrect answers.

Correct: If given degrees but need radians: multiply by π180\frac{\pi}{180}. If given radians but need degrees: multiply by 180π\frac{180}{\pi}.

Confusing arc length with sector area

Why it's wrong: Arc length is a distance (linear), while sector area is in square units.

Correct: Arc length formula: s=θ360°×2πrs = \frac{\theta}{360°} \times 2\pi r. Sector area formula: A=θ360°×πr2A = \frac{\theta}{360°} \times \pi r^2.

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How To Find Arc Length: Step-By-Step Examples

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Interactive Visual

Function graph

-10-50510-10-50510xy
  • arc length s = 9.42
  • s in terms of π = 3π
  • θ in radians = π/3
arc s

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0

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Practice Problems

15 problems
Problem 1 of 15
Easy
What is the arc length of a full circle with radius 55 cm?

Why It Matters

Arc length appears everywhere in the real world:
  • Navigation: Pilots and sailors calculate distances along curved paths on Earth's surface
  • Engineering: Designing curved roads, bridges, and roller coasters requires precise arc length calculations
  • Sports: The distance a runner covers on the curved part of a track
  • Clock hands: Finding how far the tip of a clock hand travels in a given time
Understanding arc length connects geometry to real-world measurements and prepares you for more advanced topics like calculus.

Real World Applications

Clock Hands

The tip of a clock's minute hand traces an arc as time passes.

Example:

If a minute hand is 1010 cm long, it travels 2π×10=20π≈62.82\pi \times 10 = 20\pi \approx 62.8 cm in one full hour.

1Try It Yourself

A clock has a minute hand that is 1212 cm long. How far does the tip travel in 1515 minutes?

What is the arc length?

Step 1: Write the mathematical expression

In 15 minutes, the hand moves 90°90°. Calculate: 90360×2π×12\frac{90}{360} \times 2\pi \times 12

Curved Running Track

The curved portions of a running track are arcs that athletes must run.

Example:

A 400400 m track has two semicircular ends. Each semicircle is half of a full circle, so runners travel π×r\pi \times r on each curved section.

2Try It Yourself

A running track has semicircular ends with a radius of 3535 m. How far does a runner travel on one curved end?

Find the length of one semicircular section.

Step 1: Write the mathematical expression

A semicircle is 180°180°. Calculate: 180360×2π×35\frac{180}{360} \times 2\pi \times 35

Key Takeaways

  • 1Arc length is the distance along the curved portion of a circle
  • 2For angles in degrees: s=θ360°×2πrs = \frac{\theta}{360°} \times 2\pi r
  • 3For angles in radians: s=θ×rs = \theta \times r
  • 4The arc length is a fraction of the full circumference, proportional to the central angle
  • 5Always check whether the angle is in degrees or radians before choosing the formula

Frequently Asked Questions

Radians are defined using arc length! One radian is the angle where the arc length equals the radius. So s=θrs = \theta r follows directly from this definition.
Radians are defined using arc length! One radian is the angle where the arc length equals the radius. So s=θrs = \theta r follows directly from this definition.
To convert degrees to radians: multiply by π180\frac{\pi}{180}. To convert radians to degrees: multiply by 180π\frac{180}{\pi}. For example, 90°=90×π180=π290° = 90 \times \frac{\pi}{180} = \frac{\pi}{2} radians.
A full circle has an angle of 360°360° (or 2π2\pi radians). The arc length is the entire circumference: s=2πrs = 2\pi r.

Glossary

Arc
A continuous portion of a circle's circumference
Arc length
The distance measured along an arc
Central angle
The angle formed at the center of a circle by two radii
Radian
A unit of angle where the arc length equals the radius (approximately 57.3°57.3°)
Sector
The region enclosed by two radii and an arc
Today's challengeOne problem, three tries

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