Arc Length Math Example 2

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Example 2

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A circle has radius 55 m. Find the arc length subtended by a central angle of 3ฯ€4\frac{3\pi}{4} radians.

Solution

  1. 1
    Step 1: Use the radian arc length formula: s=rฮธs = r\theta.
  2. 2
    Step 2: Substitute r=5r = 5 m and ฮธ=3ฯ€4\theta = \frac{3\pi}{4} rad: s=5ร—3ฯ€4s = 5 \times \frac{3\pi}{4}.
  3. 3
    Step 3: Multiply: s=15ฯ€4s = \frac{15\pi}{4} m.
  4. 4
    Step 4: Approximate if needed: sโ‰ˆ15ร—3.14164โ‰ˆ11.78s \approx \frac{15 \times 3.1416}{4} \approx 11.78 m.

Answer

s=15ฯ€4โ‰ˆ11.78s = \frac{15\pi}{4} \approx 11.78 m
When the angle is in radians, arc length is simply s=rฮธs = r\theta. Multiplying the radius 5 m by the angle 3ฯ€4\frac{3\pi}{4} radians gives 15ฯ€4\frac{15\pi}{4} m directly, with no conversion factor needed.

About Arc Length

The distance along a portion of a circle's circumference, determined by the central angle and the radius.

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