Minor arc

Definition

The shorter of the two arcs joining two points on a circle; its central angle is less than $180^\circ$ .

Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR

Specification G18 · Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3

Specification G18 · Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3

The shorter arc between two points on a circle, associated with a central angle less than $180^\circ$ .

1
Match the angle to the required region: use the smaller central angle for a minor arc or sector and $360^\circ-\theta$ for the corresponding major one.

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Specification 10.02b · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher), Paper 5 (Higher), Paper 6 (Higher)

The shorter arc joining two points on a circle.
The minor arc is the shorter route around the circumference and corresponds to the smaller central angle. The major arc is the longer route and corresponds to the reflex angle at the centre.
Revise: Circular Circumference