Geometry – Right Triangle Inscribed in Circle: Finding Side Length as Function of Arc Length

geometry

The problem was worded incorrectly, $s$ was supposed to be the length of the chord $CA$, not the arc!!! It makes sense now.

Given the right triangle $\triangle ABC$ inscribed inside a circle of radius $R$, I need to find the length of side c as a function of the arc $s$ between $C$ and $A$.

Here is what I have:
$$ c^2 = R^2 – b^2 = 4R^2 – 4R^2 \sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2} = 4R^2 \left(1 – \sin^2 \frac{s}{2R} \right) = 4R^2 \cos^2 \frac{s}{R} $$

I'm supposed to get that:
$$ c^2 \stackrel{?}= 4R^2 -s^2 $$

Does it mean that
$$ s = 4R^2 \sin^2 \frac{s}{2R}? $$

If so, how?

I'd really appreciate if you could help me out.

Here is a picture:

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Best Answer

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$$\alpha=\frac sR$$ $$\beta = \pi-\alpha=\pi-\frac sR$$

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Draw $OD$ perpendicular to $AB$

$$c=AB=AD+DB=2AD$$ $$AD=R\sin\frac\beta2$$ $$c=2R\sin(\frac\pi2-\frac s{2R})=2R\cos\frac s{2R}$$