SEARCH HOME
Math CentralQuandaries & Queries

search

Question from Mable, a student:

A circle that going 70mi across using 22/7 I need the area, radius, and the circumference
and how to set up the steps can you help?

Hi Mable,

There are a few things in mathematics that you really need to memorize. Some of these are properties of the circle. Your circle has a diameter of 70 miles. The radius of a circle is half the diameter so for your circle that's 35 miles.

circle

The circumference of a circle is the distance around it. An amazing property of circles is that regardless of the size, if you divide the circumference of a circle by its diameter you always get the same answer. This number is given its own symbol, $\pi$, the Greek letter pi. Its value is approximately given by $3.1416$ and sometimes we use the approximate $\pi$ by $\frac{22}{7}$ although $3.1416$ is a better approximation.

Thus if a circle has circumference $c$ units and diameter $d$ units then $\large \frac{c}{d} = \pi.$ This is usually written $c = \pi d$ or if you are using the radius $r$ then $c = 2 \pi r.$ Use the approximation $\frac{22}{7}$ to approximate the circumference of your circle. Don't forget to include the units.

The formula for the area $A$ of a circle is $A = \pi r^2.$ Use the approximation $\frac{22}{7}$ to approximate the area of your circle. What are the units?

Penny

About Math Central
 

 


Math Central is supported by the University of Regina and The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences.
Quandaries & Queries page Home page University of Regina PIMS