CHAPTER 3: LENGTH OF ARC AND AREA OF SECTOR

Arc length and the area of a sector are proportional to the angle subtended at the centre of the
circle.

θ
Arc length of AB = × 2π r
360
O r
A θ
Area of sector AOB = ×π r 2
360

B
Skill assessed
• Calculate the arc length when the radius r and angle θ are given.
• Calculate the perimeter of an enclosed shape, involving sectors and triangles.
• Calculate the area of a shaded region, involving sectors, triangles and segments

Usual format of questions

A diagram and other information are given.

22
By using π = , calculate (a) the perimeter of the whole diagram
7
(b) the area of the shaded region.

Strategies for problem solving

1. Identify the perimeter of the whole diagram by tracing the outline of the perimeter using
colour.
2. Identify the values of the corresponding radius and angle for the arc length which you want to
find.
3. Calculate the arc length by using the correct formulae.
4. Repeat the process if there is another arc length with different radius and angle.
5. Find the perimeter by adding the arc lengths and the length of straight lines.
6. Identify the region for which you want to find its area.
7. Identify the values of the corresponding radius and angle for the sector.
8. Calculate the area of the shaded region by using the correct formulae.

Common Errors
• Students used the wrong formula.
• Students used wrong values for radius or angle.
• Students used other values of π like 3.14.
• Students using the Additional Mathematics method round off the value of angle in radian to 2
or 3 significant figures only.
• Students calculated the perimeter of the shaded region when the question asked the perimeter of
the whole diagram.
• Students did not read the question carefully to extract the right information.

Length of Arc & Area of sector 1

 3.1. CIRCUMFERENCE

r
Circumference = 2π r, where r is a radius
O

22 Ex
Example: Use π = Example: Diameter = 7 cm
7
1
Radius =3 cm
Radius = 7 cm O 2
Circumference 1
7 = 2π ( 7 ) Circumference = 2π (3 )
O 2
22 22 7
= 2× ×7 =2x x
7 7 2
= 44 cm = 22 cm

Exercise A Exercise B
1. 1. Diameter = 14 cm

Radius = 14 cm
O 14 Circumference = O Radius =
Circumference =

2. Radius = 16 cm 2.
Circumference = Diameter = 140 mm
Radius =
O Circumference =
O

Length of Arc & Area of sector 2

 3.
Radius = 10 cm 3. Diameter = 35 cm
Radius =
Circumference = Circumference =
O 10 O

3.2. ARC OF A CIRCLE

In the diagram, arc AB subtended an angle θ at the centre O

θ with radius r. B
O
θ
Length of arc = × 2π r
360 o
A

22
Example: Use π = Example: Use π = 3.142
7

Radius = 7 cm Radius = 3 cm
Minor arc of AB Minor arc of AB =
O 60
O =
90
o × 2π ( 7 ) = × 2π (3)
36090 3 360
7 60° 60
90°
B =
90
× 2x
22
x 7 A
B
=
360
× 2 × 3.142
A 360 7
×3
= 11 cm
= 3.142 cm
Exercise A Exercise B

1. 1. Radius = 5 cm
Radius = 14 cm θ = 80o
θ = 45o
O
14 O
45° Minor arc of AB = 5 Minor arc of AB =
B
A 80°
B
A

Length of Arc & Area of sector 3

2. Radius = 21 cm 2.
θ = 135o Radius = 20 cm
Minor arc of AB = θ = 120o
Minor arc of AB =
O O
21
135° 120°
B B
A A

3.
Diameter = 7 cm 3. Diameter = 18 cm
Radius = θ = 60o
Major arc of AB = Radius =
O Major arc of AB =
B O

60o
B
A A

3.3. PERIMETER OF SHADED REGION

A AB subtended an angle θ at the centre O with radius

r r.
θ
O Perimeter of shaded region = Arc AB + OB + OA
B = Arc AB + 2r

Example: Example:
A A
Minor arc of AB Minor arc of AB
7 90 22 80
=
360
× 2x
7
x 7 12
80° B = 360 × 2 × 3.142 × 12
B
O = 16.76
= 11 cm

Perimeter of shaded region Perimeter of shaded region

= 7 + 7 + 11 = 16.76 + 12 + 12
= 25 cm = 40.76 cm

Length of Arc & Area of sector 4

Exercise A Exercise B
A A
1. 1.
21 Minor arc of AB 9 Minor arc of AB
120° 100°
= =
O O
B
B Perimeter of shaded region
=

Perimeter of shaded region

=

2. A Major arc of AB = 2. A
Major arc of AB =
7 10
120° 30°
C C
B

Perimeter of shaded region Perimeter of shaded region

= =

3.4. AREA OF A CIRCLE

Area of a circle = π r2

O r

22
Example: Use π = Example:
7
Diameter = 7 cm
Radius = 7 cm 1
Radius =3 cm
Area = π ( 7 )2 2
22 1
×7 × 7
7 7
O = O Area = π (3 )2
7 2
= 154 cm2 22 7 7
= × ×
7 2 2
1
= 38 cm2
2

Length of Arc & Area of sector 5

Exercise A Exercise B

1. Radius = 14 cm 1. Diameter = 21 cm
14 Area = 21 Radius =
O O Area =

2. Radius = 3 1 cm
2 2. Diameter = 140 mm
1 Area = Radius =
3
O
2 Area=
O

3.
3. Diameter = 35 cm
Radius = 10 cm Radius =
Area = Area =
O 10 O

3.5. AREA OF SECTOR

A Area of minor sector AOB

r
θ
θ
= ×π r 2
360 o
O
B

Length of Arc & Area of sector 6

 22 Example: Using π = 3.142
Example: Using π =
7

A Radius = 7 cm A Radius = 12 cm
Area of minor sector AOB Area of minor sector
7 90 12 80
= × π x 72 80° B =
360
× 3.142 x 12 x
B 360
O
90 22 12
=
360
× 7
x 7x7 = 100.544cm2

= 38.5 cm 2

Exercise 1. Exercise B
Radius =
Area of minor sector AOB 1. A
A = Radius =
9 Area of minor sector AOB
7 100°
=
120°
C O
B

2.
2.
Radius = Radius =
A
Area of major sector AOB A Area of major sector AOB
= 10 =
21
120° 30°
C
B
O
B

Length of Arc & Area of sector 7

3.6 AREA OF SHADED REGION

Example :
Area of shaded region =
14 - 2 7

7 7 7 7 =
A B
7
= 308
7 O

Exercise :
1. Area of shaded region = 6 3
-

3 =
3

2. Area of shaded region =

2

2 =
2

3.
Area of shaded region =

10
40o
O =
Length of Arc & Area of sector 8
Questions based on the examination format (Paper 2)
1. In the diagram below, O is the centre of the arc of the circle MNPQ and RSM is a quadrant
M
with centre P. MOP is a straight line.

O N
240o

R P
14 cm

22
Using π = , calculate
7
a) the perimeter of the whole diagram,
b) the area of the shaded region. [ 6 marks]

Answer :

a) Perimeter of the whole diagram

90 22 180 22
= ×2 × ×14 + ×2 × ×7 + 14
360 7 360 7
= 58 cm
 90 22   60 22 2 
b) Area of the shaded region =  × × 142  -  × ×7 
 360 7   360 7 
1
= 128 cm2
3
Exercise
1. In Diagram 1, JKL is arc of circle with centre M. NML is a straight line and JN = NM =
7 cm.
K

N M L Diagram 1

Length of Arc & Area of sector 9

 22
Using π = , calculate
7
a. the area of the shaded region, in cm2,
b. perimeter of the whole diagram, in cm.
[6 marks]

2. In Diagram 2, O is the centre of the arc of the circle PQR and a quadrant STU. OSR is
a straight line.
P

14 cm Q

45o
O
S R

7 cm
T Diagram 2
U

22
Using π = , calculate
7
a. perimeter of the whole shaded region,
b. area of the whole shaded region.
[6 marks]

3. In Diagram 3, OAB, OCD and OEF are three sectors with same centre O.

B E
7 cm
D Diagram 3
C

40° 40°
A F
O 21 cm

22
Given AOF, OCB and ODE are straight lines. Using π = , calculate
7
a. the area of sector OCD,
b. the perimeter of the whole diagram.
[6 marks ]

Length of Arc & Area of sector 10

 4. Diagram 4 shows three quadrants OPQ, TQR and URS. POUS is a straight line and
TOUR is a square.
Q

R
T

Diagram 4

P S
14 cm O U
Using 22 , calculate
π=
7
a) the perimeter of the whole diagram,
b) the area of the whole diagram.
[6 marks ]

5. In Diagram 5, QR and TU are two arc of circles with the same centre O. QPOU and
RSTO are straight lines.

Diagram 5

S
T

22
Using π = , calculate
7
a) ∠ROQ , Q
P 7 cm O U
b) area of the shaded sector OTU,
c) perimeter of the whole diagram.
[6 marks]

Length of Arc & Area of sector 11

 6. Diagram 6 shows one circle and two semicircles with diameter PQ, QR and PR
respectively. PQR is straight line.

P Q Diagram
R 6

1 22
Given that PQ = PR and PR = 21 cm. Using π = , calculate
3 7
a) the perimeter in cm, of the shaded region,
b) the area, in cm2, of the whole diagram [6 marks]

7. In diagram 7, O is the centre of the circle with diameter POR = 16 cm. N is midpoint of
radius OR and PMN is a semicircle.

T
S

60o Diagram 7
N R
O

22
Using π = , calculate
7
(a) the perimeter ,in cm, of the shaded region.
(b) the area ,in cm2 ,of the shaded region. [6 marks]

Length of Arc & Area of sector 12

 8. In diagram 8, TSR is a quadrant with centre O, P are the centre of the arc of the circle
OVU and a semicircle OQR..
Q
It is given that OT = 20 cm.
22
Using π = , calculate S
7
a) the perimeter of the whole U
diagram. R P 110o
b) the area of the shaded region. R
[ 6 marks] V

O T
Diagram 8
9. Diagram 9 shows a sector LMN with centre
O and a semicircle OKN.

N
It is given that OL = 21 cm.
22 K
Using π = , calculate
7
a) the perimeter of the whole diagram.
b) the area of the shaded region. 60o L
M O
[ 6 marks]

10. In diagram 10, O is a centre of circle

Diagram
L 9
with diameter KON = 14 cm. KO and
ON are diameter of two semicircles.

M
Given that ∠ MON = 30o.
22
Using π = , calculate
7 K M N
O
a) the arc of KLM
b) the area of minor sector MON
c) the area of the shaded region.
[6 marks]

Diagram 10

Length of Arc & Area of sector 13

Past Year SPM Questions (Paper 2)

1. November 2003

Diagram 1 shows two sectors OMN and OPQ with the same centre O and a quadrant QTO with
centre Q.

60o
T
Diagram 1

P Q

22
OM = 14 cm and QT = 7 cm. Using π = , calculate
7
M N
d) the perimeter of the whole diagram.
e) the area of the shaded region. [ 6 marks]

2. July 2004
K
In diagram 2, LK is an arc of a circle with centre P and PQRS is an arc of a circle with centre
O. PORL is a straight line.

60
o
P O L
R
Diagram 2

22
PK = 21 cm and OP = 7 cm. Using π = , calculate
7
a) the area , in cm2 of the shaded region
b) the perimeter in cm, of the whole diagram. [7 marks ]

Length of Arc & Area of sector 14

3. November 2004

In diagram 3, PQ and RS are arcs of two different circles with O.

Diagram 3

RQ = ST = 7 cm and PO = 14 cm.
22
Using π = , calculate
7
(a) the area, in cm2, of the shaded region,
(b) the perimeter , in cm, of the whole diagram. [6 marks]

4. July 2005

Diagram 4 shows two sectors, PQR and TUV, with the same centre O. The angle of each
sector is 270o. OSR is a semicircle with centre V. PTO is a straight line and OP = 14 cm.

S
VL

P T
O

Q
Diagram 4

22
Using π = , calculate
7

a) the perimeter, in cm, of the whole diagram,

b) the area, in cm2, of the shaded region. [6 marks]

Length of Arc & Area of sector 15

5. November 2005

Diagram 5 shows two sectors ORST and OUV with the same centre O. RWO is a semicircle
with diameter RO and RO = 2OV. ROV and OUT are straight lines.

S
T

W
W U

Diagram 5
R
O V

OV = 7 cm and ∠UOV = 60o.

22
Using π = , calculate
7
(a) the perimeter , in cm, of the whole diagram,
(b) the area, in cm2 , of the shaded region. [6 marks]

6. July 2006

In diagram 6, QRS and UT are arcs of two circles, centre P and S respectively.

T Diagram 6
120o
45o
S
P U

22
It is given that PUS is a straight line, PQ = 21 cm and US = 14 cm. Using π = , calculate
7

a) the area, in cm2, of the shaded region

b) the perimeter in cm, of the shaded region. [6 marks]

7. November 2006
Length of Arc & Area of sector 16
In Diagram 3, OMRN is a quadrant of a circle with centre O and PQ is an arc of another circle with
centre O.
OMP and ORQ are straight lines.

N
R

OM = MP = 7 cm and ∠POQ = 60° .

22 60o Diagram 3
Using π = , calculate
7 O P
(a) the perimeter, in cm, M
of the whole diagram
(b) the area, in cm2, of the shaded region.
[6 marks]
R S
8. June 2007

In Diagram 5, ORS is a sector of a circle and PQTU is a semicircle , with centre O respectively. OTS
and OQR are straight lines. The length of arcs PQ, QT and TU are equal .

Q T

60o
Diagram 5 U
P O

OS = 2OU and OU = 7 cm .

22
[ Using π = , ] , calculate
7
(a) the perimeter, in cm, of the whole diagram
(b) the area, in cm2, of the shaded region.
[6 marks]

Length of Arc & Area of sector 17

9. November 2007 Q6

Diagram 3 shows quadrant OST and semicircle PQR, both with centre O.

P
60o
S O
Diagram 3
R
OS = 21 cm and OP = 14 cm.
22
[Use π = , ] , calculate
7
(a) the area, in cm2, of the shaded region.

(b)the perimeter, in cm, of the whole diagram

[6 marks]

10. Jun 2008, Q6

Diagram 6 shows semicircle ABC, centre O, and a sector of a circle AEF, centre A..
AOFG is a straight line. AO = 14 cm and OF = 7 cm.

A O F
o
C
30
B
B
22
Using π = , ] calculate
7

(a) the perimeter, in cm, ofE the coloured region,

(b) the area, in cm2, of the coloured region.

[6 marks]
Length of Arc & Area of sector 18
11. Nov 2008, Q7

In diagram 7, PQ and RS are arc of two different circles which have the same centre O. OPR is a
straight line.
S

21 cm

Q
Diagram 7

O
R P 14 cm

It is given that ∠POQ =36 o and ∠ ROS = 60 o .

22
Using π = , calculate
7
(a) the perimeter, in cm, of the sector ORS,

(b) the area, in cm2, of the coloured region.

[6 marks]

Length of Arc & Area of sector 19

 ANSWERS

Chapter 3 Arc Length and Area of Sector

Exercise 3.1
Exercise A
1 88 2 4 3 6
100 cm 62 cm
7 7
Exercise B
1 44 2 440 3 110
Exercise 3.2
Exercise A
1 11 cm 2 49.5 cm 3 5.5.cm
Exercise B
1 6.982 cm 2 41.89 cm 3 9.426 cm
Exercise 3.3
Exercise A
1 86 2 1
43 cm
3
Exercise B
1 33.71 2 77.60
Exercise 3.4
Exercise A
1 616 2 1 3 2
38 cm2 314
2 7
cm2
Exercise B
1 346.5 cm2 2 15400 mm2 3 962.5 cm2
Exercise 3.5
Exercise A
1 462 cm2 2 2
102 cm2
3
Exercise B
1 70.695 cm2 2 288.02 cm2
Exercise 3.6
1 6 2 1 3 50
84 cm2 25 cm2 200 cm2
7 7 63

Questions According to Examination Format

1a 115.5 cm2 1b 47.23 cm

2a 50 cm 2b 115.5 cm2
3a 171.11 cm2 3b 109.78 cm
4a 72 cm 4b 280 cm2
5a 450 5b 57.75 cm2 5c 55.5 cm
6a 66 cm 6b 269.5 cm2
7a 16 7b 1
72 cm 111 cm2
21 21
8a 6 8b 16
82 cm 218 cm2
7 63
Length of Arc & Area of sector 20
9a 152 cm 9b 981.75 cm2
10a 1 10 5 10c 2
18 cm 12 cm2 102
3 b 6 3
cm2

SPM Past Years Questions

SPM2003
a 53.67 cm b 115.5 cm2
SPM2004J
a 192.5 cm2 b 72 cm

SPM2004
a 248.5 cm2 b 89.67 cm

SPM2005J
a 102 cm b 423.5 cm2

SPM2005
a 2 b 154 cm2
64 cm
3
SPM 2006J
a 385 cm2 b 97 cm

SPM 2006 a 1 b 5
46 cm 89 cm2
3 6
SPM 2007J a 1 b 1
57 cm 128
3 3
cm2
2
SPM 2007 a 243.83 cm b 104.33

SPM 2008J a 83 b 1
192
2
SPM 2008 A 64 b 2
169
5

Length of Arc & Area of sector 21