When using grapher what equation must I use to graph a circle segment? I can graph a circle and semi-circles but not any other segment..

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When using grapher what equation must I use to graph a circle segment? I can graph a circle and semi-circles but not any other segment..

When using Grapher what equation must I use to be able to graph a specific circle segment? Using y^2+x^2 will graph a complete circle, and using

y=sqrt(4-x^2) will give me a semi-circle, but what equation must I use to get any other segment, like for a 45˚, 66˚, 152˚, or any segment between 0˚ and 360˚.?

Would greatly appreciate the help. I am a senior, just toying around with this.

Thanks.

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jun 7, 2013 6:03 AM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Jun 7, 2013 11:41 AM in response to ecm1

Hello, math was one of my weaker points, but the reason y=sqrt(4-x^2) shows a half circle is that it's only drawing positive values of y, there's likely some way to only draw positive values of x also to get a 90° arc, but I think we'd need to use sine, radians, or such, but too distant for me to figure it out! 🙂

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Answer 2

ecm1 Author

Level 1

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Jun 7, 2013 1:50 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks anyway. BTW the y=sqrt(4-x^2) gives a semi-circle in the 1st and 2nd quadrants, but when you make the equation a negative - like y=-sqrt(4-x^2) - it gives a semi circle in the 3r and 4th quadrants.

thanks

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