segment of a circle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "segment of a circle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe any part of the circumference of a circle that has been bounded by two radii. For example, "The area of the yellow segment of a circle is larger than the blue segment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The form may be varied to meet specific problems; the most efficient forms in masonry are semicircular, segmental (segment of a circle), and pointed (two intersecting arcs of a circle), but noncircular curves can be used successfully.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The toga was not rectangular in shape like the himation but was a segment of a circle, measuring about 18 feet (5.5 metres) along the chord of the segment and about 5.5 feet (1.7 metres) at its widest point.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Note that in the limit case when the falciform cross section becomes a segment of a circle and we arrive at the following well-known result: the transitions are allowed between the energy levels having quantum numbers in z-direction in y-direction, and, different parity (see [8]).

Nanoscale Research Letters

Using the theory of the segment of a circle and its radius, the overlapped area S can be derived as follows: S= frac{1}{2} left { a^{2} (eta - sin eta)) +b^{2} (phi - sin phi))right }. (32) Fig. 14 Example of cooperative region.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

A circular arc is a segment of a circle, and its length is calculated with the formula s = rθ, where s represents the arc length, r represents the radius of the circle, and θ (theta) represents the measure of the central angle in radians.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The primary colours, with their basic secondary and tertiary mixtures, can be usefully notated as the 12 segments of a circle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They form a semicircle in plan and a quarter-segment of a circle in elevation.

Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation Proceedings of the International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation 2–4 April 2001, Cape Town, South Africa

Rainbows are always the same angular size in the sky — they are various segments of a circle that is 84-degrees across.

Huffington Post

We have also tested our analysis for full coverage of a straight line segment instead of a circle.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Approximately, such a route is a segment of a great circle, such as a line of longitude or the equator.

Wikipedia

Grassi concluded that the comet was a fiery body which had moved along a segment of a great circle at a constant distance from the earth, and since it moved in the sky more slowly than the moon, it must be farther away than the moon.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "segment of a circle", clarify whether you're referring to the minor segment (smaller area) or the major segment (larger area) if the context doesn't make it obvious. This avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "segment of a circle" interchangeably with 'sector of a circle'. A segment is the area between a chord and the arc, while a sector is the area between two radii and the arc. Using the wrong term leads to geometric inaccuracies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "segment of a circle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It identifies a specific geometric shape and is commonly used in mathematical and descriptive contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

News & Media

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "segment of a circle" accurately describes a specific portion of a circle, bordered by a chord and an arc. While grammatically sound and utilized across diverse sources, its application is most prevalent in scientific, mathematical, and technical domains. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and readily understood. To ensure clarity, specify whether the reference is to the minor or major segment and avoid confusion with 'sector'. The phrase serves primarily to accurately define this geometric shape in relevant contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

circular segment

Reorders the words for a slightly different emphasis.

circular section

Swaps 'segment' with 'section' but maintains the circular modifier.

portion of a circle

Replaces 'segment' with 'portion' for a more general term.

part of a circle

Uses 'part' instead of 'segment' or 'portion', simplifying the wording.

section of a circle

Substitutes 'segment' with 'section', offering a more generic term.

region of a circle

Utilizes 'region' as a broader term to denote a specific part of the circle.

slice of a circle

Employs 'slice' to convey a section of the circle, typically associated with sectors.

area of a circle bounded by a chord and an arc

Provides a more technical and detailed description of a segment.

area enclosed by a chord and arc

Focuses on the area defined by the chord and arc of the circle.

sector minus a triangle

Describes the segment as the difference between a sector and a triangle formed by the radii and chord.

FAQs

What is the difference between a "segment of a circle" and a sector?

A "segment of a circle" is the region bounded by a chord and the arc it cuts off, while a sector is the region bounded by two radii and the arc they intercept. They are distinct parts of a circle.

How do you calculate the area of a "segment of a circle"?

The area of a "segment of a circle" can be found by subtracting the area of the triangle formed by the chord and radii from the area of the sector. Formulas involving the radius and central angle are typically used.

Where might I encounter the term "segment of a circle"?

The term "segment of a circle" is frequently used in geometry, engineering, architecture, and computer graphics, particularly when calculating areas, designing curved shapes, or analyzing circular structures.

What are some other terms that are related to a "segment of a circle"?

Related terms include "chord", "arc", "sector", "radius", and "central angle", which are all elements defining or related to a circular segment.