How to find the area of a circle

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GRE Quantitative Reasoning › How to find the area of a circle

Questions 1 - 10
1

For , Chelsea can get either a diameter pizza or two diameter pizzas. Which is the better deal?

two

The two values are equal.

Cannot be determined.

Explanation

Therefore the 16 inch pizza is the better deal.

2

Circle B has a circumference of 36π. What is the area of circle A, which has a radius half the length of the radius of circle B?

324π

81π

18

18π

Explanation

To find the radius of circle B, use the circumference formula (c = πd = 2πr):

2πr = 36π

Divide each side by 2π: r = 18

Now, if circle A has a radius half the length of that of B, A's radius is 18 / 2 = 9.

The area of a circle is πr2. Therefore, for A, it is π*92 = 81π.

3

What is the area of a circle, one-quarter of the circumference of which is 5.5 inches?

225π

π/3

121π

121/π

Explanation

Here, you need to “solve backward” from the data you have been given. We know that 0.25C = 5.5; therefore, C = 22. In order to solve for the area, we will need the radius of the circle. This can be obtained by recalling that C = 2πr. Replacing 22 for C, we get 22 = 2πr.

Solve for r: r = 22 / 2π = 11 / π.

Now, we solve for the area: A = πr2. Replacing 11 / π for r: A = π (11 / π)2 = (121π) / (π2) = 121 / π.

4

Quantitative Comparison

Quantity A: Area of a right triangle with sides 7, 24, 25

Quantity B: Area of a circle with radius 5

Quantity A is greater.

Quantity B is greater.

The two quantities are equal.

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Explanation

Quantity A: area = base * height / 2 = 7 * 24/2 = 84

Quantity B: area = πr_2 = 25_π

Now we have to remember what π is. Using π = 3, the area is approximately 75. Using π = 3.14, the area increases a little bit, but no matter how exact an approximation for π, this area will never be larger than Quantity A.

5

Quantitative Comparison

A circle has a radius of 2.

Quantity A: The area of the circle

Quantity B: The circumference of the circle

Quantity A is greater.

Quantity B is greater.

The two quantities are equal.

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Explanation

This is one of the only special cases where the area equals the circumference of the circle. The Area = πr_2 = 4_π. The circumference = 2_πr_ = 4_π_.

Note: For a quantitative comparison such as this one where the columns have numeric values instead of variables, the answer will rarely be "cannot be determined".

6

A small circle with radius 5 lies inside a larger circle with radius x. What is the area of the region inside the larger circle, but outside of the smaller circle, in terms of x?

Explanation

Since the answers are in terms of pi, simply find the area of each circle in terms of x and ∏:

Smaller: ∏(5)2 = 25∏

Larger: ∏x2

We must subtract the inner circle from the outer circle; this translates to ∏x2-25∏.

7

If a circular garden with a radius of 3 ft. is bordered by a circular sidewalk that is 2 ft. wide, what is the area of the sidewalk?

\dpi{100} \small 16\pi

\dpi{100} \small 12\pi

\dpi{100} \small 14\pi

\dpi{100} \small 18\pi

\dpi{100} \small 20\pi

Explanation

To solve this problem, you must find the area of the entire circle (garden and sidewalk) and subtract it by the area of the inner garden. The entire area has a radius of 5 ft. (3 ft. radius of the garden plus the 2 ft. wide sidewalk), giving it an area of \dpi{100} \small 25\pi. The inner garden has a radius of 3 ft. and an area of \dpi{100} \small 9\pi. The difference is \dpi{100} \small 16\pi, which is the area of the sidewalk.

8

Quantitative Comparison

Quantity A: Area of a circle with radius r

Quantity B: Perimeter of a circle with radius r

Quantity A is greater.

Quantity B is greater.

The two quantities are equal.

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Explanation

Try different values for the radius to see if a pattern emerges. The formulas needed are Area = π r_2 and Perimeter = 2_πr.

If r = 1, then the Area = π and the Perimeter = 2_π_, so the perimeter is larger.

If r = 4, then the area = 16_π_ and the perimeter = 8_π_, so the area is larger.

Therefore the relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

9

Given circle O with a diameter of 2 and square ABCD inscribed within circle O, what is the area of the shaded region?

Gre_quant_179_02

π – 2

4π – 2

4

2

Explanation

There are two steps to this problem: determining the area of the circle and determining the area of the square. The area of the circle is πr2 which is π(2/1)2 or π. AD is a diameter of circle O and creates two isosceles right triangles with ACD and ABD. The relationship between sides of an isosceles right triangle is 1 : 1 : √2. Thus the sides of square ABCD are √2 and the area is 2. The area of the shaded region is the area of the circle minus the area of the square, or π – 2.

10

If a circular monument with a radius of 30 feet is surrounded by a circular garden that is 20 feet wide, what is the area of the garden?

Explanation

To find the area of the garden, you need to find the entire area and subtract that by the area of the inner circle, or the monument. The radius of the larger circle is 50, which makes its area . The radius of the inner circle is 30, which makes its area . The difference is .

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