Arc of a Circle

Minor & Major arcs

An arc is a part or a portion of a circle.

Intercepted Arc

An intercepted arc is the arc that is formed when segments intersect portions of a circle and create arcs.These segments in effect 'intercept' parts of the circle. The picture below shows examples of intercepted arcs.

Note: The examples below use chords to create the intercepted arc. However, tangents, secants can also create intercepted arcs.



Arcs are grouped into two descriptive categories:
1) minor arc
2) major arc
In the circle on the left, there is both a major arc and a minor arc. Look at the circle and try to figure out how you would divide it into a portion that is 'major' and a portion that is 'minor'.
  Identify arcs  


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Identify the major and minor arcs in the circle below.

  Answer  

The measure of an arc = the measure of its central angle.
Therefore the measure of =85
The measure of =360° −85°=275°


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