Mathematics · Glossary

What is Radian?

Definition 14.1 High School Mathematics · Chapter 14 — Trigonometry: The Unit Circle

Let C\mathcal C be the circle of radius 11 centered at the origin OO, and I(1,0)I(1, 0). The radian measure of an angle at the center of C\mathcal C is the length of the arc it cuts on C\mathcal C. Since the full circle has circumference 2π2\pi:

360=2π rad,180=π rad,1 rad=180π57.3.360^\circ = 2\pi \text{ rad}, \qquad 180^\circ = \pi \text{ rad}, \qquad 1 \text{ rad} = \frac{180^\circ}{\pi} \approx 57.3^\circ .
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