ACT Math · Circles, arcs, and sectors

A circle has radius 9. What is the length of an arc with a central angle of 80°?

A circle has radius 9. What is the length of an arc with a central angle of 80°?

Answer and explanation

Answer: A: 4π

Arc length is the fraction 80360=29\frac{80}{360}=\frac{2}{9} of the circumference. The circumference is 2π(9)=18π2\pi(9)=18\pi, so the arc length is 29⋅18π=4π\frac{2}{9}\cdot18\pi=4\pi, choice A. Choice D (18π18\pi) is the whole circumference. Choice B (9π9\pi) is half the circumference, the arc for 180∘180^\circ. Choice C (16π16\pi) is 89\frac{8}{9} of the circumference, which would correspond to an angle of 320∘320^\circ. A good check is that 80∘80^\circ is less than a quarter of the circle, so the arc must be less than 18π4=4.5π\frac{18\pi}{4}=4.5\pi.

More Circles, arcs, and sectors questions

All Circles, arcs, and sectors questions

Learn the method behind questions like this one

The ACT Math course teaches each tested skill through lessons, step-by-step solutions to sample problems, the complete study guide and full-length practice tests.