Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-year-1-of-the-natural-sciences-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2008/paper-1/9/solution

Let be the top vertex, the center, and the two other points on the circle. The diameter bisects the angle at , so the two right triangles obtained by drawing the diameter to the opposite point show that have coordinates when and . The chord cuts off a lower circular segment of central angle . The triangle has area , while the segment has area , by subtracting the central triangle from its circular sector. Adding gives
with measured in radians. This is the unit-radius case of the area enclosed by two chords and a circular arc.

New to topics? Read the docs here!