PSAT Math : Sectors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Math

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #171 : High School Math

A pie has a diameter of 12". A piece is cut out, having a surface area of 4.5π. What is the angle of the cut?

Possible Answers:

45°

4.5°

25°

12.5°

90°

Correct answer:

45°

Explanation:

This is simply a matter of percentages. We first have to figure out what percentage of the surface area is represented by 4.5π. To do that, we must calculate the total surface area. If the diameter is 12, the radius is 6. Don't be tricked by this!

A = π * 6 * 6 = 36π

Now, 4.5π is 4.5π/36π percentage or 0.125 (= 12.5%)

To figure out the angle, we must take that percentage of 360°:

0.125 * 360 = 45°

Example Question #11 : Circles

Eric is riding a Ferris wheel. The Ferris wheel has 18 compartments, numbered in order clockwise. If compartment 1 is at 0 degrees and Eric enters compartment 13, what angle is he at?

Possible Answers:

300

280

240

260

180

Correct answer:

240

Explanation:

12 compartments further means 240 more degrees. 240 is the answer.

360/12 = 240 degrees

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Angle Of A Sector

 

 

Circle2

 

 

In the figure above that includes Circle O, the measure of angle BAC is equal to 35 degrees, the measure of angle FBD is equal to 40 degrees, and the measure of arc AD is twice the measure of arc AB. Which of the following is the measure of angle CEF? The figure is not necessarily drawn to scale, and the red numbers are used to mark the angles, not represent angle measures.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 30^o\)

\(\displaystyle 75^o\)

\(\displaystyle 60^o\)

\(\displaystyle 110^o\)

\(\displaystyle 80^o\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 30^o\)

Explanation:

The measure of angle CEF is going to be equal to half of the difference between the measures two arcs that it intercepts, namely arcs AD and CD.

\(\displaystyle \angle CEF=\frac{1}{2}(AD-CD)\)

Thus, we need to find the measure of arcs AD and CD. Let's look at the information given and determine how it can help us figure out the measures of arcs AD and CD. 

Angle BAC is an inscribed angle, which means that its meausre is one-half of the measure of the arc that it incercepts, which is arc BC.

\(\displaystyle \angle BAC=\frac{1}{2}BC\)

\(\displaystyle 35^o=\frac{1}{2}BC\rightarrow BC=70^o\)

Thus, since angle BAC is 35 degrees, the measure of arc BC must be 70 degrees.

We can use a similar strategy to find the measure of arc CD, which is the arc intercepted by the inscribed angle FBD.

\(\displaystyle 40^o=\frac{1}{2}CD\rightarrow CD=80^o\)

Because angle FBD has a measure of 40 degrees, the measure of arc CD must be 80 degrees.

We have the measures of arcs BC and CD. But we still need the measure of arc AD. We can use the last piece of information given, along with our knowledge about the sum of the arcs of a circle, to determine the measure of arc AD.

We are told that the measure of arc AD is twice the measure of arc AB. We also know that the sum of the measures of arcs AD, AB, CD, and BC must be 360 degrees, because there are 360 degrees in a full circle. 

\(\displaystyle AD+AB+CD+BC=360^o\)

\(\displaystyle AD+AB+80^o+70^o=360^o\)

\(\displaystyle AD+AB=210^o\)

Because AD = 2AB, we can substitute 2AB for AD.

\(\displaystyle 2AB+AB=210^o\)

\(\displaystyle 3AB=210^o\)

\(\displaystyle AB=70^o\)

This means the measure of arc AB is 70 degrees, and the measure of arc AD is 2(70) = 140 degrees.

Now, we have all the information we need to find the measure of angle CEF, which is equal to half the difference between the measure of arcs AD and CD.

\(\displaystyle \angle CEF=\frac{1}{2}(AD-CD)\)

\(\displaystyle \angle CEF=\frac{1}{2}(140^o-80^o)=\frac{1}{2}(60^o)\)

\(\displaystyle \angle CEF=30^o\)

 

 

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Angle Of A Sector

The length of an arc, \(\displaystyle S\), of a circle is \(\displaystyle 8\pi\) and the radius, \(\displaystyle r\), of the circle is \(\displaystyle 16\). What is the measure in degrees of the central angle, \(\displaystyle \theta\), formed by the arc \(\displaystyle S\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 90^o\)

\(\displaystyle 45^o\)

\(\displaystyle 30^o\)

\(\displaystyle 60^o\)

\(\displaystyle 120^o\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 90^o\)

Explanation:

The circumference of the circle is \(\displaystyle 2\pi r\).

\(\displaystyle 2\pi(16)=32\pi\)

The length of the arc S is \(\displaystyle 8\pi\).

A ratio can be established:

\(\displaystyle \frac{S}{\text{circumference}}=\frac{\theta}{360^o}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{8\pi}{32\pi}=\frac{\theta}{360^o}\)

Solving for \(\displaystyle \theta\)yields 90o

Note: This makes sense. Since the arc S was one-fourth the circumference of the circle, the central angle formed by arc S should be one-fourth the total degrees of a circle.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Angle Of A Sector

Sector

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale.

In the above circle, \(\displaystyle x = 72\). Give the ratio of the area of the white sector to that of the gray sector.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 4:1\)

\(\displaystyle 7:2\)

\(\displaystyle 9:2\)

\(\displaystyle 6:1\)

\(\displaystyle 5:1\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 4:1\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle 72^{\circ}\) sector is \(\displaystyle \frac{72^{\circ }}{360^{\circ}}= \frac{1}{5}\) of the circle. The white sector is therefore \(\displaystyle \frac{4}{5}\) of the circle, and the ratio of their areas is

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{5} : \frac{1}{5}\),

which simplifies to 

\(\displaystyle 4:1\).

Example Question #331 : Geometry

Sector

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale.

Refer to the above figure. The ratio of the area of the white sector to that of the gray sector is 5 to 1. Evaluate \(\displaystyle x\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 72^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 54^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 66^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 60^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 80^{\circ }\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 60^{\circ }\)

Explanation:

The ratio of the areas is 5 to 1, so the white sector is one sixth of the circle. This means that the central angle of the white sector is one sixth of \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{6} \cdot 360^{\circ} = 60^{\circ }\).

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Angle Of A Sector

Sector

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale.

The area of the gray sector in the above circle is \(\displaystyle 6 \pi\). The area of the white sector is \(\displaystyle 42 \pi\). Evaluate \(\displaystyle x\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 51 \frac{3}{7} ^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 60^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 66\frac{2}{3} ^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 80^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 45^{\circ }\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 45^{\circ }\)

Explanation:

The total area of the circle is the sum of the areas of the white and gray sectors, or 

\(\displaystyle 6 \pi + 42 \pi = 48 \pi\)

The gray sector takes up 

\(\displaystyle \frac{6 \pi}{48 \pi} = \frac{1}{8}\) 

of the circle, so the degree measure of the gray sector \(\displaystyle x\) is equal to

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{8} \times 360 ^{\circ} = 45 ^{\circ}\)

Example Question #14 : Circles

Sector

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale.

In the above circle, the length of arc \(\displaystyle \widehat{MN}\) is \(\displaystyle 8 \pi\), and the length of arc \(\displaystyle \widehat{MYN}\) is \(\displaystyle 42 \pi\). Evaluate \(\displaystyle x\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 66\frac{2}{3}^{ \circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 57 \frac{3}{5}^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 60 ^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 68\frac{4}{7} ^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 72^{\circ }\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 57 \frac{3}{5}^{\circ}\)

Explanation:

The circumference of the circle is the sum of the lengths of the arcs \(\displaystyle \widehat{MN}\) and \(\displaystyle \widehat{MYN}\), which is 

\(\displaystyle 8 \pi + 42 \pi = 50 \pi\)

\(\displaystyle \widehat{MN}\) is therefore 

\(\displaystyle \frac{8 \pi}{50 \pi } = \frac{4}{25}\)

of the circle, and its degree measure \(\displaystyle x\) is

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{25} \cdot 360 ^{\circ} = 57 \frac{3}{5}^{\circ}\)

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Angle Of A Sector

Circle

In the circle above, the length of arc BC is 100 degrees, and the segment AC is a diameter. What is the measure of angle ADB in degrees?

Possible Answers:

cannot be determined

90

80

40

100

Correct answer:

40

Explanation:

Since we know that segment AC is a diameter, this means that the length of the arc ABC must be 180 degrees. This means that the length of the arc AB must be 80 degrees. 

Since angle ADB is an inscribed angle, its measure is equal to half of the measure of the angle of the arc that it intercepts. This means that the measure of the angle is half of 80 degrees, or 40 degrees.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Angle Of A Sector

What is the angle of a sector of area \(\displaystyle 45\) \(\displaystyle in^2\) on a circle having a radius of \(\displaystyle 15\:in\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 72.00^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 22.92^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 3.00^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 0.06^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 15.22^{\circ}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 22.92^{\circ}\)

Explanation:

To begin, you should compute the complete area of the circle:

\(\displaystyle A=\pi r^2\)

For your data, this is:

\(\displaystyle A=15^2\pi=225\pi\)

Now, to find the angle measure of a sector, you find what portion of the circle the sector is. Here, it is:

\(\displaystyle \frac{45}{225\pi}\)

Now, multiply this by the total \(\displaystyle 360\) degrees in a circle:

\(\displaystyle \frac{45}{225\pi}*360=22.918311805212\)

Rounded, this is \(\displaystyle 22.92^{\circ}\).

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors