All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

A truck moves along a circular path and describes 100 m when it has traced out 36° at the centre. The radius of the circle is equal to

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2016 English Previous Year Paper (14-Feb-2016)
The correct answer is
\(\frac{500}{\pi}\) m

Understanding the Problem: Truck on a Circular Path

This problem involves a truck moving along a circular path. We are given the distance the truck travels along the path (which is an arc length) and the angle traced out at the center of the circle by this movement. We need to find the radius of this circular path.

The relationship between the arc length, the radius of the circle, and the central angle is a fundamental concept in geometry and trigonometry.

Key Concept: Arc Length Formula

The arc length ($\(s\)$) of a circle is the distance along the curved line. It is directly proportional to the radius ($\(r\)$) of the circle and the central angle ($\(\theta\)$) it subtends. The formula relating these quantities is:

\[s = r\theta\]

Important Note: In this formula, the angle $\(\theta\)$ must be measured in radians, not degrees.

Step-by-Step Calculation

We are given the following information:

  • Arc length, \(s = 100\) m
  • Central angle, \(\theta = 36^\circ\)

Our goal is to find the radius, \(r\).

Step 1: Convert the Central Angle from Degrees to Radians

The given angle is in degrees (\(36^\circ\)). We need to convert it to radians to use the arc length formula. The conversion factor is \(\pi\) radians = \(180^\circ\).

\[\theta_{radians} = \theta_{degrees} \times \frac{\pi}{180^\circ}\]

Substituting the given angle:

\[\theta = 36^\circ \times \frac{\pi}{180^\circ} \text{ radians}\]

Simplify the fraction:

\[\theta = \frac{36}{180}\pi \text{ radians}\]

Since \(180 \div 36 = 5\), the fraction simplifies to \(\frac{1}{5}\).

\[\theta = \frac{\pi}{5} \text{ radians}\]

Step 2: Apply the Arc Length Formula

Now that we have the angle in radians and the arc length, we can use the formula \(s = r\theta\) to solve for the radius \(r\).

Substitute the known values:

\[100 \text{ m} = r \times \frac{\pi}{5} \text{ radians}\]

Step 3: Solve for the Radius \(r\)

To find \(r\), we need to isolate it in the equation. Divide both sides by \(\frac{\pi}{5}\):

\[r = \frac{100}{\frac{\pi}{5}} \text{ m}\]

To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal:

\[r = 100 \times \frac{5}{\pi} \text{ m}\]

\[r = \frac{500}{\pi} \text{ m}\]

Conclusion: Radius of the Circular Path

The radius of the circular path along which the truck moves is \(\frac{500}{\pi}\) meters.

Revision Table: Circular Path Calculation

Quantity Value Given Unit Notes
Arc Length (\(s\)) \(100\) meters Distance traveled on the circle's edge
Central Angle (\(\theta\)) \(36^\circ\) degrees Angle subtended by the arc at the center
Central Angle (\(\theta\)) \(\frac{\pi}{5}\) radians Converted for use in formula
Radius (\(r\)) \(\frac{500}{\pi}\) meters Calculated value

Additional Information: Radians vs. Degrees

It is crucial to understand the difference between degrees and radians when working with angles in formulas involving arc lengths, areas of sectors, or angular velocity. Degrees are a historical unit of angle measurement, where a full circle is divided into \(360^\circ\). Radians, on the other hand, are a more natural unit in many mathematical and physical contexts, defined based on the radius of the circle. One radian is the angle subtended at the center of a circle by an arc that has a length equal to the radius of the circle. A full circle is \(2\pi\) radians, which is equivalent to \(360^\circ\). Therefore, the conversion is \(\pi\) radians = \(180^\circ\).

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. In the given figure AB is parallel to CD and AC is parallel to BD. If ∠EAC = 40°, ∠FDG = 55°, ∠HAB = x°, then what is the value of x?  

  2. Three parallel lines x, y and z are cut by two transversals m and n. Transversal m cuts the lines, x, y, z at P, Q, R respectively, and transversal n cuts the lines x, y, z at L, M, N respectively. If PQ = 3 cm, QR = 9 cm and MN = 10.5cm, then what is the length of LM?

  3. If two lines AB and CD intersect at O such that ∠AOC = 5 ∠AOD, then the four angles at O are

  4. The locus of a point equidistant from two intersecting lines is

  5. In the figure given below, p, q, r are parallel lines; l and m are two transversals.

    Consider the following:

    1. AB : AC = DE : DF

    2. AB × EF = BC × DE

    Which of the above is/are correct?

  6. The length of a line segment AB is 2 cm. It is divided into two parts at a point C such that AC 2= AB × CB. What is the length of CB?

  7. Consider the following statements in respect of three straight lines A, B and C on a plane:

    1. If A and C are parallel and B and C are parallel, then A and B are parallel

    2. If A is perpendicular to C and B is perpendicular to C, then A and B are parallel

    3. If the acute angle between A and C is equal to the acute angle between B and C; then A and B are parallel

    Which of the above statements are correct?
  8. There are 8 lines in a plane, no two of which are parallel. What is the maximum number of points at which they can intersect?

  9. A person goes to a market between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. When he comes back he finds that the hour hand and the minute hand of the clock have interchanged their positions. For how much time (approximately) was he out of his house?

  10. In a triangle ABC if A − B = \(\frac{\pi}{2}\) , then C + 2B is equal to


Important Questions from Lines and Angles

  1. Two parallel lines are intersected by a transversal, the corresponding angles are:

  2. There are three points P, Q and R on a straight line such that PQ : QR = 3 : 5. If n is the number of possible values of PQ : PR, then what is n equal to ?

  3. Two cars start from a point at the same time and travel on two different roads at right angles to each other. Their speed is 18 km/h and 72 km/h respectively. What will be the distance between them after 6 seconds?

  4. Express 65° in radian :

  5. The measure of an angle for which the measure of the supplement is four times the measure of the complement is:

Need Expert Advice?
Test Series
CDS img
Defence
UPSC CDS 2026 Mock Test Series
536 Tests 4 Tests Free
1748 Attempts
4.3(174)
English, Hindi
More Questions from CDS

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App