GMAT Math : Calculating the length of a radius

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

A square and a circle have the same area. What is the ratio of the length of one side of the square to the radius of the circle?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 1 \textrm{ to }\sqrt{\pi }\)

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{\pi } \textrm{ to }1\)

\(\displaystyle 2 \textrm{ to }\sqrt{\pi }\)

\(\displaystyle \pi \textrm{ to }1\)

\(\displaystyle 1 \textrm{ to }\pi\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{\pi } \textrm{ to }1\)

Explanation:

Let \(\displaystyle s\) be the sidelength of the square is the square and \(\displaystyle r\) be the radius of the circle. Then since the areas of the circle and the square are equal, we can set up this equation:

\(\displaystyle s^{2 }= \pi r^{2}\)

We find the ratio of \(\displaystyle s\) to \(\displaystyle r\) - that is, \(\displaystyle \frac{s}{r}\) - as follows:

\(\displaystyle s^{2 }\div r^{2}= \pi r^{2} \div r^{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{s^{2 } }{r^{2}} = \pi\)

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{\frac{s^{2 } }{r^{2}}} =\sqrt{ \pi}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{s}{r} =\sqrt{\pi } = \frac{\sqrt{\pi }}{1}\)

The correct ratio is \(\displaystyle \sqrt{\pi } \textrm{ to }1\).

Example Question #1 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

The radius of Circle A is three times the radius of Circle B, which is, in turn, equal to the diameter of Circle C. The sum of their circumferences is \(\displaystyle 99\pi\). What is the radius of Circle C?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 4 \frac{1}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 9\)

\(\displaystyle 5 \frac{1}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 11\)

\(\displaystyle 6\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 5 \frac{1}{2}\)

Explanation:

Let \(\displaystyle r\) be the radius of circle C. Then Circle B has radius equal to twice this, or \(\displaystyle 2r\), and Circle A has radius equal to three times that, or \(\displaystyle 3 (2r) = 6r\). The circumference of a circle is equal to \(\displaystyle 2 \pi\) times the radius, so the circumferences of the three circles are:

A: \(\displaystyle 2 \pi \cdot 6r = 12 \pi r\)

B: \(\displaystyle 2 \pi \cdot 2r = 4 \pi r\)

C: \(\displaystyle 2 \pi r\)

These circumferences add up to \(\displaystyle 99\pi\), so set up and solve the equation:

\(\displaystyle 12 \pi r + 4\pi r + 2 \pi r =99 \pi\)

\(\displaystyle 18 \pi r =99 \pi\)

\(\displaystyle 18 \pi r \div 18 \pi =99 \pi \div 18 \pi\)

\(\displaystyle r =5 \frac{1}{2}\)

Example Question #2 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

The points \(\displaystyle L (-4,5)\) and \(\displaystyle K (9,3)\) form a line which passes through the center of circle Q. Both points are on circle Q. 

To the nearest hundreth, what is the length of the radius of circle Q?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 15.00\)

\(\displaystyle 13.15\)

\(\displaystyle 6.58\)

\(\displaystyle 13.2\)

\(\displaystyle 6.6\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 6.58\)

Explanation:

To begin this problem, we need to recognize that the distance between points L and K is our diameter. Segment LK passes from one point on circle Q through the center, to another point on circle Q. Sounds like a diameter to me! Use distance formula to find the length of LK.

\(\displaystyle d=\sqrt{(x-x')^2+(y-y')^2}\)

Plug in our points and simplify:

\(\displaystyle d=\sqrt{(9--4)^2+(3-5)^2}=\sqrt{13^2+2^2}=\sqrt{173}\approx13.15\)

Now, don't be fooled into choosing 13.15. That is our diameter, so our radius will be half of 13.15, or 6.575. This rounds to 6.58

Example Question #3 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

If the trunk of a particular tree is \(\displaystyle 34\pi\) feet around at chest height, what is the radius of the tree at the same height?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 96 ft\)

\(\displaystyle 17 ft\)

\(\displaystyle 45 ft\)

\(\displaystyle 8.5 ft\)

\(\displaystyle 34 ft\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 17 ft\)

Explanation:

A close reading of the question reveals that we are given the circumference and asked to find the radius.

Circumference formula:

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

So, 

\(\displaystyle 34 \pi=2 \pi r\)

\(\displaystyle r=34\pi\div2 \pi=17\)

So 17 feet

Example Question #4 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

If the circumference of a circle is \(\displaystyle 42\pi\), what is its radius?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 14\)

\(\displaystyle 56\)

\(\displaystyle 42\)

\(\displaystyle 7\)

\(\displaystyle 21\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 21\)

Explanation:

Using the formula for the circumference of a circle, we can solve for its radius. Plugging in the given value for the circumference, we have:

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

\(\displaystyle 42\pi=2\pi r\)

\(\displaystyle r=\frac{42\pi }{2\pi }=21\)

Example Question #31 : Radius

If the area of a circle is \(\displaystyle 25\pi\), what is its radius?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 5\)

\(\displaystyle 15\)

\(\displaystyle 25\)

\(\displaystyle 10\)

\(\displaystyle 50\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 5\)

Explanation:

Using the formula for the area of a circle, we can solve for its radius. Plugging in the given value for the area of the circle, we have:

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

\(\displaystyle 25\pi=\pi r^2\)

\(\displaystyle r^2=25\)

\(\displaystyle r=5\)

Example Question #1 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

Given that the area of a circle is \(\displaystyle 64\pi\), determine the radius.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 64\)

\(\displaystyle 8\pi\)

\(\displaystyle 16\pi\)

\(\displaystyle 8\)

\(\displaystyle 16\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 8\)

Explanation:

To solve, use the formula for the area of a circle, \(\displaystyle A={\pi}r^2\), and solve for \(\displaystyle r\).

\(\displaystyle 64\pi=\pi{r^2}\Rightarrow 64=r^2\Rightarrow r=8\)

Example Question #7 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

Given a circumferene of \(\displaystyle 42 \pi\), find the circle's radius.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 6.48\)

\(\displaystyle 84\)

\(\displaystyle 42\)

\(\displaystyle 21\)

\(\displaystyle 21\pi\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 21\)

Explanation:

The circumference of a circle, in terms of radius, can be found by: \(\displaystyle C=2r \pi\)

We are told the circumference with respect to \(\displaystyle \pi\) so we can easily solve for the radius:

\(\displaystyle 42 \pi = 2 r \pi\)

Notice how the \(\displaystyle \pi\) cancels out

\(\displaystyle 42 = 2r\)

\(\displaystyle r=21\)

 

Example Question #2 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

The circumference of a circle measures \(\displaystyle 27\pi\). Find the radius.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 8.6\)

\(\displaystyle 5.2\)

\(\displaystyle 13.5\)

\(\displaystyle 27\)

\(\displaystyle 54\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 13.5\)

Explanation:

Solving this problem is rather straightforward, we just need to remember the circumference of circle is found by \(\displaystyle C=2r\pi\) and in this case, we're given the circumference in terms of \(\displaystyle \pi\)

\(\displaystyle 27\pi = 2 r \pi\)

Notice how the \(\displaystyle \pi\) cancel out

\(\displaystyle 27=2r\)

\(\displaystyle r=13.5\)

Example Question #9 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

The arc \(\displaystyle \widehat{AB}\) of a circle measures \(\displaystyle 120^{\circ }\). The chord of the arc, \(\displaystyle \overline{AB}\), has length \(\displaystyle x + 2\). Give the length of the radius of the circle.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x + 2\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{\sqrt{3}}{6} x+ \frac{ \sqrt{3}}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} x+ \frac{ \sqrt{3}}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{\sqrt{3}}{12} x+ \frac{ \sqrt{3}}{6}\)

\(\displaystyle x \sqrt{3} + 2 \sqrt{3}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{\sqrt{3}}{6} x+ \frac{ \sqrt{3}}{3}\)

Explanation:

A circle can be divided into three congruent arcs that measure

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{3} \cdot 360 ^{\circ } = 120 ^{\circ }\).

If the three (congruent) chords are constructed, the figure will be an equilateral triangle. The figure is below, along with the altitudes of the triangle:

Circle and triangle

Since \(\displaystyle AB = x + 2\), it follows by way of the 30-60-90 Triangle Theorem that 

\(\displaystyle BM = \frac{1}{2} AB = \frac{1}{2} (x+2) = \frac{1}{2} x+1\)

and

\(\displaystyle AM = \frac{ \sqrt{3}}{2} \cdot BM = \frac{ \sqrt{3}}{2} \cdot \left ( \frac{1}{2} x+1 \right ) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} x+ \frac{ \sqrt{3}}{2}\)

The three altitudes of an equilateral triangle split each other into segments that have ratio 2:1. Therefore,

\(\displaystyle OA = \frac{2}{3} \cdot AM\)

\(\displaystyle =\frac{2}{3} \cdot \left ( \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} x+ \frac{ \sqrt{3}}{2} \right )\)

\(\displaystyle = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{6} x+ \frac{ \sqrt{3}}{3}\)

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