Subtended angle

Illustration of the angles subtended by an arc from two points

In geometry, an angle subtended by an arc, line segment, or other curve is one whose two rays pass through the endpoints of the arc. The precise meaning varies with the context. For example, one may speak of the angle subtended by an arc of a circumference when the angle's vertex is the centre of the circle to which the circumference belongs. A simple theorem of plane geometry states that arcs of equal lengths subtend equal angles in such a situation.

See also

• Central angle
• Inscribed angle

External links

• Definition of subtended angle, mathisfun.com, with interactive applet
• How an object subtends an angle, Math Open Reference, with interactive applet
• Angle definition pages, Math Open Reference, with interactive applets that are also useful in a classroom setting.