Circles
Circles are a common shape. You see them all over: wheels on a car, Frisbees passing through the air, compact discs delivering data. These are all circles.
A circle is a two-dimensional figure just like polygons and quadrilaterals. However, circles are measured differently than these other shapes. You even have to use some different terms to describe them. Let’s take a look at this interesting shape.
A circle represents a set of points, all of which are the same distance away from a fixed, middle point. This fixed point is called the center. The distance from the center of the circle (point A) to any point on the circle (point B) is called the radiusThe distance from the center of a circle to any point on the circle.. A circle is named by the point at its center, so this circle would be called Circle A.
When two radii (the plural of radius) are put together to form a line segment across the circle, you have a diameterThe length across a circle, passing through the center of the circle. A diameter is equal to the length of two radii.. The diameter of a circle passes through the center of the circle and has its endpoints on the circle itself.
The diameter of any circle is two times the length of that circle’s radius. It can be represented by the expression `2r`, or “two times the radius.” So if you know a circle’s radius, you can multiply it by `2` to find the diameter; this also means that if you know a circle’s diameter, you can divide by `2` to find the radius.
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Example |
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Problem
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Find the diameter of the circle.
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`d = 2r` `d = 2(7)` `d = 14` |
The diameter is two times the radius, or `2r`. The radius of this circle is `7` inches, so the diameter is `2(7) = 14` inches. |
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Answer |
The diameter is `14` inches. |
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Example |
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Problem
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Find the radius of the circle.
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`r=1/2d` `r=1/2(36)` `r=18` |
The radius is half the diameter, or `1/2d`. The diameter of this circle is `36` feet, so the radius is `1/2(36)=18` feet. |
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Answer |
The radius is `18` feet. |
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The distance around a circle is called the circumference The distance around a circle, calculated by the formula `C = pid`. . (Recall, the distance around a polygon is the perimeter.)
One interesting property about circles is that the ratio of a circle’s circumference and its diameter is the same for all circles. No matter the size of the circle, the ratio of the circumference and diameter will be the same.
Some actual measurements of different items are provided below. The measurements are accurate to the nearest millimeter or quarter inch (depending on the unit of measurement used). Look at the ratio of the circumference to the diameter for each one. Although the items are different, the ratio for each is approximately the same.
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Item |
Circumference (`C`) (rounded to nearest hundredth) |
Diameter (`d`) |
Ratio `C/d` |
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Cup |
`253" mm"` |
`79" mm"` |
`253/79=3.2025...` |
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Quarter |
`84" mm"` |
`27" mm"` |
`84/27=3.1111...` |
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Bowl |
`37.25" inches"` |
`11.75" inches"` |
`37.25/11.75=3.1702...` |
The circumference and the diameter are approximate measurements, since there is no precise way to measure these dimensions exactly. If you were able to measure them more precisely, however, you would find that the ratio `C/d` would move towards `3.14` for each of the items given. The mathematical name for the ratio `C/d` is piThe ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. Pi is denoted by the Greek letter `pi`. It is often approximated as `3.14` or `22/7`. , and is represented by the Greek letter `pi`.
`pi` is a non-terminating, non-repeating decimal, so it is impossible to write it out completely. The first `10` digits of `pi` are `3.141592653`; it is often rounded to `3.14` or estimated as the fraction `22/7`. Note that both `3.14` and `22/7` are approximations of `pi`, and are used in calculations where it is not important to be precise.
Since you know that the ratio of circumference to diameter (or `pi`) is consistent for all circles, you can use this number to find the circumference of a circle if you know its diameter.
`C/d=pi` , so `C=pid`
Also, since `d = 2r`, then `C=pid=pi(2r)=2pir`.
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Circumference of a Circle
To find the circumference (`C`) of a circle, use one of the following formulas:
If you know the diameter (`d`) of a circle: `C=pid` If you know the radius (`r`) of a circle: `C=2pir`
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Example |
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Problem
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Find the circumference of the circle.
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`C=pid` `C=pi*9` `C~~3.14*9` `C~~28.26`
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To calculate the circumference given a diameter of `9` inches, use the formula `C=pid`. Use `3.14` as an approximation for `pi`.
Since you are using an approximation for `pi`, you cannot give an exact measurement of the circumference. Instead, you use the symbol `~~` to indicate “approximately equal to.” |
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Answer |
The circumference is `9pi` or approximately `28.26` inches. |
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Example |
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Problem
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Find the circumference of a circle with a radius of `2.5` yards. |
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`C=2pir` `C=2pi*2.5` `C=pi*5` `C~~3.14*5` `C~~15.7` |
To calculate the circumference of a circle given a radius of `2.5` yards, use the formula `C=2pir`. Use `3.14` as an approximation for `pi`. |
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Answer |
The circumference is `5pi` or approximately `15.7` yards. |
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A circle has a radius of `8` inches. What is its circumference, rounded to the nearest inch?
A) `25" inches"`
B) `50" inches"`
C) `64" inches"^2`
D) `201" inches"`
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`pi` is an important number in geometry. You have already used it to calculate the circumference of a circle. You use `pi` when you are figuring out the area of a circle, too.
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Area of a Circle
To find the area (`A`) of a circle, use the formula: `A=pir^2`
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Example |
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Problem
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Find the area of the circle.
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`A=pir^2` `A=pi*3^2` `A=pi*9` `A~~3.14*9` `A~~28.26` |
To find the area of this circle, use the formula `A=pir^2`.
Remember to write the answer in terms of square units, since you are finding the area. |
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Answer |
The area is `9pi` or approximately `28.26" feet"^2`.
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A button has a diameter of `20` millimeters. What is the area of the button? Use `3.14` as an approximation of `pi`.
A) `62.8" mm"`
B) `314" mm"^2`
C) `400" mm"^2`
D) `1256" mm"^2`
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Now that you know how to calculate the circumference and area of a circle, you can use this knowledge to find the perimeter and area of composite figures. The trick to figuring out these types of problems is to identify shapes (and parts of shapes) within the composite figure, calculate their individual dimensions, and then add them together.
For example, look at the image below. Is it possible to find the perimeter?
The first step is to identify simpler figures within this composite figure. You can break it down into a rectangle and a semicircle, as shown below.
You know how to find the perimeter of a rectangle, and you know how to find the circumference of a circle. Here, the perimeter of the three solid sides of the rectangle is `8 + 20 + 20 = 48` feet. (Note that only three sides of the rectangle will add into the perimeter of the composite figure because the other side is not at an edge; it is covered by the semicircle!)
To find the circumference of the semicircle, use the formula `C=pid` with a diameter of `8` feet, then take half of the result. The circumference of the semicircle is `4pi`, or approximately `12.56` feet, so the total perimeter is about `60.56` feet.
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Example |
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Problem
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Find the perimeter (to the nearest hundredth) of the composite figure made up of a semi-circle and a triangle.
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Identify smaller shapes within the composite figure. This figure contains a semicircle and a triangle. |
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Diameter `(d) = 1` `C=pid` `C=pi(1)` `C=pi`
Circumference of semicircle `=1/2pi` or approximately `1.57` inches |
Find the circumference of the circle. Then divide by `2` to find the circumference of the semi-circle.
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`1+1+1/2pi~~3.57" inches"`
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Find the total perimeter by adding the circumference of the semicircle and the lengths of the two legs. Since our measurement of the semi-circle’s circumference is approximate, the perimeter will be an approximation also. |
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Answer |
Approximately `3.57` inches |
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Example |
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Problem
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Find the area of the composite figure, made up of three-quarters of a circle and a square, to the nearest hundredth.
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Identify smaller shapes within the composite figure. This figure contains a circular region and a square. If you find the area of each, you can find the area of the entire figure. |
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`text(Area of square)=s^2` `=(2)^2` `=4text( ft)^2` |
Find the area of the square. |
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`text(Area of full circle)=pir^2` `=pi(2)^2` `=4pitext( ft)^2`
`text(Area of region)=3/4*4pi` `=3pi` `~~3*3.14text( ft)^2` `text(This is approximately ) 9.42 text( feet)^2` |
Find the area of the circular region. The radius is `2` feet.
Note that the region is `3/4` of a whole circle, so you need to multiply the area of the circle by `3/4`. Use `3.14` as an approximation for `pi.` |
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`4" feet"^2+3pitext( feet)^2 = text( approximately ) 13.42text( feet)^2` |
Add the two regions together. Since your measurement of the circular’s area is approximate, the area of the figure will be an approximation also. |
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Answer |
The area is approximately `13.42" feet"^2`. |
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What is the area (to the nearest hundredth) of the figure shown below? (Both rounded regions are semi-circles.)
A) `16.56text( in)^2`
B) `7.14text( in)^2`
C) `4text( in)^2`
D) `3.14text( in)^2`
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Circles are an important geometric shape. The distance around a circle is called the circumference, and the interior space of a circle is called the area. Calculating the circumference and area of a circle requires a number called pi (`pi`), which is a non-terminating, non-repeating decimal. Pi is often approximated by the values `3.14` and `22/7`. You can find the perimeter or area of composite shapes, including shapes that contain circular sections, by applying the circumference and area formulas where appropriate.
