Sector Area Calculator
Radius (r) |
Angle (A) |
Understanding and Calculating the Area of a Sector
A sector is a portion of a circle that is enclosed by two radii and an arc. It resembles a “slice of pie” or “pizza slice.” The area of a sector is a fraction of the total area of the circle, determined by the central angle of the sector.
Formula for Sector Area
The area A of a sector can be calculated using the following formula:
$$ \text{Area} = \frac{A}{360} \times \pi r^2 $$
Where:
- r is the radius of the circle.
- A is the central angle of the sector in degrees.
- π (pi) is a mathematical constant approximately equal to 3.14159.
Step-by-Step Calculation
Measure the Radius:
Determine the radius r of the circle. The radius is the distance from the center of the circle to any point on its edge.
Measure the Central Angle:
Determine the central angle A of the sector in degrees. This is the angle formed between the two radii that enclose the sector.
Ensure the Validity of Inputs:
Verify that both the radius r and the central angle A are positive numbers.
Apply the Formula:
Use the formula to calculate the area of the sector.
$$ \text{Area} = \frac{A}{360} \times \pi r^2 $$
Example Calculation
Let’s calculate the area of a sector with a radius (r) of 30 meters and a central angle (A) of 90 degrees.
Conclusion
Calculating the area of a sector involves straightforward steps once you have the radius and the central angle. This calculation is useful in various applications, such as determining the area of a slice of land, a section of a circular object, or even a slice of pie. By understanding the formula and how to apply it, you can easily find the area of any sector.