Points (6 ,2 ) and (1 ,5 ) are (2 pi)/3 radians apart on a circle. What is the shortest arc length between the points?

2 Answers

Shortest arc length s=(2sqrt(102)pi)/9=7.05078" "units

Explanation:

The required in the problem is to find the shortest arc length s subtended by the central angle theta=(2pi)/3

The chord l which has length of the distance between the two points (1, 5) and (6, 2)

l=sqrt34

This chord forms the triangle with sides l, r, r and with angle theta=(2pi)/3 opposite side l.

By the cosine law, we have the equation

l=sqrt((r^2+r^2-2*r*r*cos theta))
sqrt34=sqrt((r^2+r^2-2*r*r*cos ((2pi)/3))
sqrt34=sqrt((2r^2-2r^2(-1/2)))=sqrt(3*r^2)

Solving for r

r=sqrt(34)/sqrt3=sqrt(102)/3

Solve for the arc length s

s=r*theta
s=sqrt(102)/3*(2pi)/3
s=(2sqrt(102)pi)/9=7.05078" "units

God bless....I hope the explanation is useful.

Mar 24, 2016

L=(2pi)/3sqrt(102)/3= (2pi)/9sqrt(102)
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Explanation:

Given angle= theta=(2pi)/3;
Two points on the circle A(1,5) & B(6,2)
Find the Arc Length?
Definition and Principles: Arc Length L=thetar=(2pi)/3r
Need to find r?

Let's use the geometric figure, we see that since hat(AB)=(2pi)/3 it follows that /_ABC=(2pi)/3 or 120^o
Using the distance formula
bar(AB) = sqrt((1-6)^2+(5-2 )^2)=sqrt(5^2+3^2)=sqrt(34)
Now ABC is an isosceles triangle so that altitude of the triangle bisect the bar(AB)= bar(AH)+bar(HB)=sqrt(34)/2

Now given we have an isosceles triangle ABC_Delta the altitude bisects the triangle into two right angle traingles ABH and BHC with angles (30, 60, 90), with triangle sides ratio of 1:sqrt(3):2
Thus bar(AH):sqrt(3)=bar(AB):2; 1/2sqrt(34):sqrt(3)=AB:2
bar(AB)=sqrt(34)/sqrt(3)= sqrt(102)/3; AB=r=sqrt(102)/3
Now with radius known use the Arc Length formula to calculate Arc Length.
L=(2pi)/3sqrt(102)/3= (2pi)/9sqrt(102)