Parts of a circle
Categories: gcse geometry
A circle is a curved shape. Every point on a circle is the same distance from the centre of the circle:
In this article, we will look at the parts of a circle. To learn about the areas and perimeters of circles, arcs, segments and sectors see Area and circumference of circles.
Here is a video:
Radius of a circle
A radius of a circle is a line from the centre to any point on the edge of the circle. Since every point on the circle is an equal distance from the centre, you can draw a line from the centre in any direction and it will always form a radius.
The plural of radius is radii.
Diameter of a circle
The diameter of a circle is any line drawn between two points on the circle that passes through the centre of the circle:
The diameter is formed by 2 radii, so the length of the diameter is twice the length of the radius.
Circumference of a circle
The circumference of a circle is the length around the edge of the circle:
How to find the circumference of a circle
The circumference of a circle with a radius r is given by this formula:
Where l is the circumference, r is the radius, and pi is a constant, equal to approximately 3.141592654.
The circumference of a circle with diameter d is given by this formula:
Where d is the diameter of the circle. This equation is true because the diameter is twice the radius.
How to find the area of a circle
The area of a circle is given by the area formula of a circle:
Secant to a circle
A secant is a straight line that cuts through a circle:
Chord of a circle
A chord is a straight line between two points on the edge of the circle:
A chord is similar to a secant, except that the chord does not extend beyond the edge of the circle.
A diameter is a special chord that also passes through the centre of the circle.
Tangent to a circle
A tangent is a straight line that just touches the circle:
Segments, sectors and arcs of a circle
This diagram shows a segment, a sector, and an arc of a circle:
A sector is a "pie slice" of the circle. The angle a defines how big the pie slice is.
A segment is a part of the circle that is cut off by a chord. The angle a is the angle of the equivalent sector. We say that the segment subtends an angle a at the centre of the circle. This angle is sometimes called the central angle.
An arc is part of the circumference of the circle. Again, an arc subtends an angle a at the centre of the circle.
The areas and perimeters of arcs, segments and sectors are covered here.
See also
- Tangent and radius of a circle meet at 90°
- Two radii form an isosceles triangle
- Perpendicular bisector of a chord
- Angle at the centre of a circle is twice the angle at the circumference
- Angle in a semicircle is 90 degrees
- Angles in the same segment of a circle are equal
- Opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral add up to 180°
- Two tangents from a point have equal length
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