A portion of a circle’s circumference delineated by two distinct points is known as an arc. When this curve represents less than half of the circle’s total circumference, it is classified based on its relative size. Consider a circle with center ‘O’, and two points, ‘A’ and ‘B’, on the circumference. If the path along the circumference from ‘A’ to ‘B’ is shorter than the path going the other way around the circle, then that shorter path between ‘A’ and ‘B’ represents the smaller arc.
Understanding this specific type of arc is fundamental in geometry and trigonometry. It allows for precise calculations of angles, sector areas, and segment areas within circles. Its application extends to various fields, including architecture, engineering, and navigation, where accurate measurements and designs involving circular elements are essential. Historically, knowledge of arcs has been crucial in the development of instruments for measuring angles and determining positions.