GED Math : Circumference

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GED Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Circumference

Give the circumference of a circle with radius 6. Round to the nearest tenth.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 18.8\)

\(\displaystyle 37.7\)

\(\displaystyle 452.2\)

\(\displaystyle 113.0\)

\(\displaystyle 75.4\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 37.7\)

Explanation:

The circumference of a circle can be found using this formula:

\(\displaystyle C = 2 \pi r\)

Where \(\displaystyle \pi \approx 3.14\)

Substitute \(\displaystyle r = 6\) and use \(\displaystyle \pi = 3.14\), since we are rounding:

\(\displaystyle C = 2 \cdot 3.14 \cdot 6 = 37.68\)

Round this to \(\displaystyle 37.7\).

Example Question #2 : Circumference

A car whose tires have diameter 30 inches moves at a rate of 24 miles per hour. How many revolutions will each tire make in one minute (nearest whole number)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 269\)

\(\displaystyle 3,227\)

\(\displaystyle 111\)

\(\displaystyle 134\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 269\)

Explanation:

We will convert all linear distances to feet and all times to minutes.

The tires have diameter 30 inches, which is equal to \(\displaystyle 30 \div 12 = 2.5\) feet. Their circumference will be \(\displaystyle \pi\) times this, or \(\displaystyle 2.5 \pi\) feet.

The car moves at a rate of 25 miles per hour, which is equivalent to 

\(\displaystyle 24 \times \frac{5,280}{ 60} = 2,112\) feet per minute.

The number of revolutions each tire makes is the distance traveled divided by the circumference of the tire, which is

\(\displaystyle \frac{ 2,112 }{2.5 \pi} \approx \frac{ 2,112 }{7.8540} \approx 269\).

Each tire revolves about 269 times in the course of one minute.

Example Question #2 : Circumference

What is the circumference of a circle given the radius is 7?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 10\pi\)

\(\displaystyle 7\pi\)

\(\displaystyle 14\pi\)

\(\displaystyle 21\pi\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 14\pi\)

Explanation:

The equation of circumference of a circle can be found using \(\displaystyle C=2\pi r\). By substituting in our radius of 7 we can solve for C.

\(\displaystyle C=2(7)\pi\)

\(\displaystyle C=14\pi\)

Example Question #4 : Circumference

What is the circumference of a circle with a diameter of 10 inches?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 10\)

\(\displaystyle 13.5\)

\(\displaystyle 15.7\)

\(\displaystyle 31.4\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 31.4\)

Explanation:

The equation for the circumference of a circle is \(\displaystyle C=2r\pi\), where \(\displaystyle r\) is the radius of the circle. The radius is half the diameter, or 5 inches.

\(\displaystyle C=2(5)\pi\)

\(\displaystyle C=10\pi\)

\(\displaystyle \pi=3.14\)

\(\displaystyle C=10(3.14)\)

\(\displaystyle C=31.4\)

Example Question #1 : Circumference

What is the circumference of a circle with radius 3?

Possible Answers:

9.14

12.87

18.84

6.45

Correct answer:

18.84

Explanation:

The equation for circumference of a circle is \(\displaystyle C=2\pi r\).

Plug in the given radius value and solve:

\(\displaystyle C=2(3)\pi\)

\(\displaystyle C=2(3)(3.14)\)

\(\displaystyle C=18.84\)

Example Question #1 : Circumference

What is the circumference of a circle with a diameter of 40?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 30\pi\)

\(\displaystyle 10\pi\)

\(\displaystyle 40\pi\)

\(\displaystyle 20\pi\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 40\pi\)

Explanation:

To find the circumference given the diameter we use the equation: 

\(\displaystyle C=D\pi\)

Then we substitute 40 in for our diameter:

\(\displaystyle C=40\pi\)

Example Question #5 : Circumference

Find the radius of a circle given that the circumference is \(\displaystyle 24\pi\).

Possible Answers:

12

16

24

5

Correct answer:

12

Explanation:

The equation of the circumference of a circle is as follows:

\(\displaystyle C=2\pi r\)

Now we substitute in our circumference and solve for radius:

\(\displaystyle 24\pi=2\pi r\)

\(\displaystyle 12=r\)

Example Question #4 : Circumference

What is the circumference of a circle with a radius of 4?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 16\pi\)

\(\displaystyle 8\pi\)

\(\displaystyle 12\pi\)

\(\displaystyle 4\pi\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 8\pi\)

Explanation:

We use the equation for the circumference of a circle: \(\displaystyle C=2\pi r\)

Now we substitute in our radius of 4:

\(\displaystyle C=2(4)\pi\)

\(\displaystyle C=8\pi\)

Example Question #6 : Circumference

If the area of a circle is \(\displaystyle 81\pi\), what is its circumference?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 27\pi\)

\(\displaystyle 18\pi\)

\(\displaystyle 9\pi\)

Cannot be computed from the information provided

\(\displaystyle 324\pi\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 18\pi\)

Explanation:

To solve this, you should first figure out your radius.  Remember that the area of a circle is defined as:

\(\displaystyle A=\pi r^2\)

For your data, you know that this is:

\(\displaystyle 81\pi=\pi r^2\)

Solving for \(\displaystyle r\), you get:

\(\displaystyle 81=r^2\), or

\(\displaystyle r=9\)

Now, recall that the circumference of a circle is defined as:

\(\displaystyle C=2\pi r\)

For your data, this is:

\(\displaystyle C=2\pi * 9 = 18\pi\)

Example Question #10 : Circumference

The area of a sector of a circle with a \(\displaystyle 90\) degree angle is \(\displaystyle 4\pi\).  What is the circumference of this circle?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 12\pi\)

\(\displaystyle 16\pi\)

Cannot be computed from the information provided

\(\displaystyle 8\pi\)

\(\displaystyle 4\pi\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 8\pi\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle 90\) degree angle represents one fourth of a full circle.  Therefore, the total area of this circle is \(\displaystyle 4 * 4\pi\) or \(\displaystyle 16\pi\).  Now, recall your area formula:

\(\displaystyle A=\pi r^2\)

For your data, this means:

\(\displaystyle 16\pi = \pi r^2\)

Solving for \(\displaystyle r\), you get:

\(\displaystyle 16=r^2\) or \(\displaystyle r=4\)

Now, the circumference of a circle is defined as:

\(\displaystyle C=2\pi r\)

For your data, this is:

\(\displaystyle C=2*4*\pi=8\pi\)

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