A sector has radius \(r\), arc length \(s\), and area \(A\).
a) Starting with the circumference \(2\pi r\) and circle area \(\pi r^2\), derive the formula \(A=\frac{1}{2}rs\).
b) A sector has perimeter \(26\,\text{cm}\) and area \(40\,\text{cm}^2\). Find all possible pairs \((r,s)\).
Hints
- What fraction of the full circumference is represented by an arc of length \(s\)?
- The sector occupies that same fraction of the circle's area.
- After deriving the area formula, use the sector's two radii and arc to express its perimeter.
- Check every algebraic solution against the geometric conditions for a sector.
Solution
1. The arc is the fraction \(\frac{s}{2\pi r}\) of the full circumference, so the sector is the same fraction of the circle's area.
2. Therefore, \(A=\frac{s}{2\pi r}\cdot\pi r^2=\frac{1}{2}rs\).
3. The sector perimeter is \(2r+s=26\), so \(s=26-2r\).
4. Use the area condition: \(\frac{1}{2}r(26-2r)=40\). This simplifies to \(r^2-13r+40=0\).
5. Factor: \((r-5)(r-8)=0\), so \(r=5\) or \(r=8\).
6. If \(r=5\), then \(s=16\). If \(r=8\), then \(s=10\). Both arc lengths are positive and less than the corresponding full circumferences, so both sectors are possible.
Answer
a) \(A=\frac{1}{2}rs\)
b) \((r,s)=(5\,\text{cm},16\,\text{cm})\) or \((8\,\text{cm},10\,\text{cm})\)