Chapter 1 Circular Measure

Alternative Method to Derive the Formula of Area of a Sector of a Circle

Diagram 1 shows a circle with radius r and an angle of 2π. Diagram 2 shows a sector of a circle with a
radius r and an angle of θ.

r r

Diagram 1 Diagram 2

To obtain the area of a sector of a circle, we compare the angle subtended by the sector with the angle
of a circle.

It is known that the angle of a circle is 2π radians and its area is πr2.

So,
πr 2
Area of a sector of a circle, A = 
2π
r2
A= 
2
1
A = r 2
2

Hence,

Area of a sector of a circle, A = When θ is in radians

or

Area of a sector of a circle, A = When θ is in degrees