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Geometry Arc

Expert replies
Source: — Problem Solving |

by kartik1979 » Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:30 am
a is 4/3 not 43
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by truplayer256 » Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:09 pm
The answer is 4. Here's why:

We're given that arc RTU is 4pi/3 and that the radius is 4. From this information, we can assume that the diameter of the circle is 8 and use the formula for circumference to find out what degree measure makes arc RTU 4pi/3.

C=pi*diameter
C=8pi
x=degree measure
8pi*x/360=4pi/3
x=4pi/3*360/8pi=60 degrees

The length of RU intersects the two radii of the circle, which makes a triangle. Knowing that two sides of the triangle are going to be the same (because of the equal radii) and also knowing the angle RTU equals 60, we know that the triangle is equilateral. Since, RT=4 and TU=4, RU must also equal 4.
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by KICKGMATASS123 » Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:16 pm
it's hard to visualize why RU is 4.

I get how it forms an isosceles triangle consisting of 2 radii with a 60 degree angle.. however i was lost after that..

Can someone help please?

Thanks in advance
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by kartik1979 » Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:58 am
Answer given to said problme is - A

but they didnt explain how they arrived at it
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by lilu » Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:10 pm
We know that the arc is 1/6 of the circumference (4pi/3 / 2pi4 (the length of circ.)= 1/6), so the angle ROU (O-center)=60 degrees.
We know that the two sides of the triangle ROU=4, so it is an isolesce triangle and since the measure of the angle ROU is 60 degrees, we can determine that this triangle is equilateral. So we can conclude that the line segment RU = 4.

We need to draw a diagram in order to better understand what the problem is asking.
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Here there is a graphic

by jaimito01 » Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:03 pm
See diagram attached
Attachments
Circle.jpg
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