Euclid's Elements
Book III
Definition 10

A sector of a circle is the figure which, when an angle is constructed at the center of the circle, is contained by the straight lines containing the angle and the circumference cut off by them.

Guide

java applet or image Here a sector BAC is illustrated. The angle BAC encloses the sector. Note that the remainder of the circle would not be considered a sector by Euclid since the angle at the center would be greater than 180°.


Book III Introduction - Definitions III.6 through III.9. Definitions III.11.

© 1996
D.E.Joyce
Clark University