Definition:Circle/Arc/Minor

Definition

Let $a$ and $b$ be two points on the circumference of a circle.

The minor arc joining $a$ and $b$ is the shorter of the two arcs joining $a$ and $b$.

In the above diagram:

the arc $EF$ is the minor arc defined by $E$ and $F$

the arc $BC$ is the minor arc defined by $B$ and $C$.

and so on.

Also see

• Definition:Major Arc of Circle

Sources

• 1989: Ephraim J. Borowski and Jonathan M. Borwein: Dictionary of Mathematics ... (previous) ... (next): arc: 1 b.
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): arc: 1.
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): arc: 1.
• Weisstein, Eric W. "Minor Arc." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/MinorArc.html