ISEE Upper Level Math : How to find the angle of a sector

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Angle Of A Sector

A giant clock has a minute hand four feet long. Since noon, the tip of the minute hand has traveled \(\displaystyle 10 \pi\) feet. What time is it now?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 1:45 \textrm{ PM}\)

\(\displaystyle 12:45 \textrm{ PM}\)

\(\displaystyle 1:30 \textrm{ PM}\)

\(\displaystyle 1:15 \textrm{ PM}\)

\(\displaystyle 1:20 \textrm{ PM}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1:15 \textrm{ PM}\)

Explanation:

The circumference of the path traveled by the tip of the minute hand over the course of one hour is:

\(\displaystyle C = 2 \pi r = 2 \pi \cdot 4 = 8 \pi\) feet.

Since the tip of the minute hand has traveled \(\displaystyle 10 \pi\) feet since noon, the minute hand has made 

\(\displaystyle \frac{10 \pi }{8 \pi } = \frac{5}{4} = 1 \frac{1}{4}\) revolutions. Therefore, \(\displaystyle 1 \frac{1}{4}\) hours have elapsed since noon, making the time 1:15 PM.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Angle Of A Sector

 Inscribed angle

Figure NOT drawn to scale

Refer to the above diagram.\(\displaystyle \overarc {ABC}\) is a semicircle. Evaluate \(\displaystyle m \overarc {BCA}\) given \(\displaystyle \measuredangle B=90^\circ\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 282^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 302^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 292^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 312^{\circ }\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 312^{\circ }\)

Explanation:

An inscribed angle of a circle that intercepts a semicircle is a right angle; therefore, \(\displaystyle \angle B\), which intercepts the semicircle \(\displaystyle \overarc {ABC}\), is such an angle. Consequently, \(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup ABC\) is a right triangle, and \(\displaystyle \angle A\) and \(\displaystyle \angle C\) are complementary angles. Therefore,

 \(\displaystyle m \angle A + m \angle C = 90 ^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle y + \left ( \frac{y}{3}+2\right ) = 90\)

\(\displaystyle y + \frac{1}{3}y +2 = 90\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{3}y +2 = 90\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{3}y +2 - 2 = 90 - 2\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{3}y = 88\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{4} \cdot \frac{4}{3}y = \frac{3}{4} \cdot 88\)

\(\displaystyle y = 66\)

\(\displaystyle m \angle C = \left (\frac{y}{3}+ 2 \right ) ^{\circ }=\left ( \frac{66}{3}+ 2 \right )^{\circ }=( 22 + 2 )^{\circ }= 24^{\circ }\)

Inscribed \(\displaystyle \angle C\) intercepts an arc with twice its angle measure; this arc is \(\displaystyle \overarc {AB}\), so 

\(\displaystyle m \overarc {AB} = 2 \cdot m \angle C = 2 \cdot 24 ^{\circ } = 48 ^{\circ }\).

The major arc corresponding to this minor arc, \(\displaystyle \overarc {BCA}\), has measure

\(\displaystyle m \overarc {BCA} = 360 ^{\circ } - m \overarc {AB} = 360 ^{\circ } - 48^{\circ } = 312^{\circ }\)

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Angle Of A Sector

Inscribed angle

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale

Refer to the above diagram.\(\displaystyle \overarc {ABC}\) is a semicircle. Evaluate \(\displaystyle m \overarc {AB}\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 69^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 74 ^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 79 ^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 64 ^{\circ }\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 74 ^{\circ }\)

Explanation:

An inscribed angle of a circle that intercepts a semicircle is a right angle; therefore, \(\displaystyle \angle B\), which intercepts the semicircle \(\displaystyle \overarc{ABC}\), is such an angle. Consequently, 

\(\displaystyle m \angle B = 90 ^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 4x-18 = 90\)

\(\displaystyle 4x - 18 + 18 = 90 + 18\)

\(\displaystyle 4x = 108\)

\(\displaystyle 4x \div 4 = 108 \div 4\)

\(\displaystyle x = 27\)

 

\(\displaystyle m \angle C = (x+10)^{\circ } = (27+10)^{\circ }= 37^{\circ }\)

Inscribed \(\displaystyle \angle C\) intercepts an arc with twice its angle measure; this arc is \(\displaystyle \overarc{AB}\), so 

\(\displaystyle m \widehat{AB} = 2 \cdot m \angle C = 2 \cdot 37 ^{\circ } = 74 ^{\circ }\).

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Angle Of A Sector

Intercepted

In the above diagram, radius \(\displaystyle AO = 20\).

Calculate the length of \(\displaystyle \overarc {AB}\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 32 \pi\)

\(\displaystyle 40 \pi\)

\(\displaystyle 8 \pi\)

\(\displaystyle 16 \pi\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 16 \pi\)

Explanation:

Inscribed \(\displaystyle \angle ACB\), which measures \(\displaystyle 72 ^{\circ }\), intercepts an arc with twice its measure. That arc is \(\displaystyle \overarc {AB}\), which consequently has measure 

\(\displaystyle 72 ^{\circ } \times 2 = 144 ^{\circ }\).

This makes \(\displaystyle \overarc {AB}\) an arc which comprises 

\(\displaystyle \frac{144}{360} = \frac{144 \div 72}{360 \div 72} = \frac{2}{5}\)

of the circle. 

The circumference of a circle is \(\displaystyle 2 \pi\) multiplied by its radius, so 

\(\displaystyle C = 2 \pi r = 2\pi \cdot 20 = 40 \pi\).

The length of \(\displaystyle \overarc {AB}\) is \(\displaystyle \frac{2}{5}\) of this, or \(\displaystyle \frac{2}{5} \cdot 40 \pi = 16 \pi\).

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Angle Of A Sector

Secant

Figure NOT drawn to scale.

The circumference of the above circle is 120. \(\displaystyle \overarc{AB }\) and \(\displaystyle \overarc{CD}\) have lengths 10 and 20, respectively. Evaluate \(\displaystyle t\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle t = 15\)

\(\displaystyle t = 24\)

\(\displaystyle t = 18\)

\(\displaystyle t = 30\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle t = 15\)

Explanation:

The length of  \(\displaystyle \overarc{AB }\) comprises \(\displaystyle \frac{10}{120} = \frac{1}{12}\) of the circumference of the circle. Therefore, its degree measure is  \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{12} \cdot 360 ^{\circ } = 30^{\circ }\). Similarly, The length of  \(\displaystyle \overarc{CD}\) comprises \(\displaystyle \frac{20}{120} = \frac{1}{6}\) of the circumference of the circle. Therefore, its degree measure is  \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{6} \cdot 360 ^{\circ } = 60 ^{\circ }\)

If two secants are constructed to a circle from an outside point, the degree measure of the angle the secants form is half the difference of those of the arcs intercepted - that is, 

\(\displaystyle t = \frac{1}{2} ( m \overarc {CD} - m \overarc{AB})\)

\(\displaystyle t = \frac{1}{2} ( 60 - 30 ) = \frac{1}{2} \cdot 30 = 15\).

Example Question #91 : Circles

Tangents

Figure NOT drawn to scale.

Refer to the above diagram. \(\displaystyle \overarc{AB }\) and \(\displaystyle \overarc{ABC}\) have lengths 80 and 160, respectively. Evaluate \(\displaystyle t\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle t = 66\)

\(\displaystyle t = 72\)

\(\displaystyle t = 60\)

\(\displaystyle t = 78\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle t = 60\)

Explanation:

The circumference of the circle is the sum of the two arc lengths:

\(\displaystyle 80 + 160 = 240\)

The length of  \(\displaystyle \overarc{AB }\) comprises \(\displaystyle \frac{80}{240} = \frac{1}{3}\) of the circumference of the circle. Therefore, its degree measure is  \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{3} \cdot 360 ^{\circ } = 120 ^{\circ }\). Consequently, \(\displaystyle \overarc{ACB }\) is an arc of degree measure \(\displaystyle 360 ^{\circ } - 120 ^{\circ } = 240^{\circ }\)

The segments shown are both tangents from \(\displaystyle N\) to the circle. Consequently, the degree measure of the angle they form is half the difference of the angle measures of the arcs they intercept - that is,

\(\displaystyle t = \frac{1}{2} ( m \overarc {ACB} - m \overarc{AB})\)

\(\displaystyle t = \frac{1}{2} ( 240 ^{\circ } - 120^{\circ }) = \frac{1}{2} \cdot 120^{\circ } = 60 ^{\circ }\)

Example Question #3 : How To Find The Angle Of A Sector

Chords

Figure NOT drawn to scale.

The circumference of the above circle is 100. \(\displaystyle \overarc{AB }\) and \(\displaystyle \overarc{CD}\) have lengths 20 and 15, respectively. Evaluate \(\displaystyle t\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle t =72\)

\(\displaystyle t= 54\)

\(\displaystyle t = 81\)

\(\displaystyle t =63\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle t =63\)

Explanation:

The length of  \(\displaystyle \overarc{AB }\) comprises \(\displaystyle \frac{20}{100} = \frac{1}{5}\) of the circumference of the circle. Therefore, its degree measure is  \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5} \cdot 360 ^{\circ } = 72 ^{\circ }\). Similarly, The length of  \(\displaystyle \overarc{CD}\) comprises \(\displaystyle \frac{15}{100} = \frac{3}{20}\) of the circumference of the circle. Therefore, its degree measure is  \(\displaystyle \frac{3}{20} \cdot 360 ^{\circ } = 54 ^{\circ }\)

If two chords cut each other inside the circle, as \(\displaystyle \overline{AC }\) and \(\displaystyle \overline{BD}\) do, and one pair of vertical angles are examined, then the degree measure of each angle is half the sum of those of the arcs intercepted - that is, 

\(\displaystyle t = \frac{1}{2} ( m \overarc{AB}+ m \overarc {CD})\)

\(\displaystyle t = \frac{1}{2} ( 72 ^{\circ } + 54 ^{\circ })\)

\(\displaystyle t = \frac{1}{2} ( 126^{\circ })\)

\(\displaystyle t =63 ^{\circ }\)

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