Im trying to figure out how to find the height of the arc or maybe the distance between arc and line given than both of these lines/curves have exact same start and end points...the only difference is that the arc is curved and thus its longer than the straight line. I am attaching an image to better illustrate the problem.
Also, I used 3d modeling software to create an example and get actual numbers. So if you have L1, which is a straight line equal to 100cm and L2, the arc curve is 102.6 cm, then D = 10cm. What is the formula that I can apply to always find D given I know the lengths of L1 and L2. D is in the center (midpoint) of straight line and arc.
Thanks in advance!
Assuming it is a true arc (part of a circle) and not a more general curve, if possible I would draw out the full circle, draw radii from the circle's center to the endpoints of the arc, draw the chord between the endpoints of the arc, calculate the central angle, use trig to calculate $a$ below, then subtract $a$ from the radius to find the sagitta, $s$. You might be able to create a formula that involves these steps.