What is the area of a segment of a circle of radius r subtending an angle \theta at the centre?

  1. A. \frac{1}{2}r^{2}\theta
  2. B. \frac{1}{2}r^{2}(\theta-2 \sin\frac{\theta}{2}\cos\frac{\theta}{2})
  3. C. \frac{1}{2}r^{2}(\theta-\sin\frac{\theta}{2}\cos\frac{\theta}{2})
  4. D. \frac{1}{2}r^{2}\sin\frac{\theta}{2}\cos\frac{\theta}{2}

Correct Answer: B. \frac{1}{2}r^{2}(\theta-2 \sin\frac{\theta}{2}\cos\frac{\theta}{2})

Explanation

The area of a segment is the area of the sector minus the area of the triangle: \frac{1}{2}r^2\theta - \frac{1}{2}r^2\sin\theta. Applying the double angle identity \sin\theta = 2\sin\frac{\theta}{2}\cos\frac{\theta}{2}, the expression becomes \frac{1}{2}r^2(\theta - 2\sin\frac{\theta}{2}\cos\frac{\theta}{2}).

Related questions on Mensuration

Practice more CDS Elementary Mathematics questions