G.GMD.A.

1 ACTIVITY #1 – geometrycommoncore NAME: ____________________________ 1

DEVELOPING FORMULAS

CIRCUMFERENCE OF A CIRCLE

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1. WHAT DOES THE DIAMETER HAVE TO DO WITH THE CIRCUMFERENCE?
Pick any 5 circles from the first page and measure their diameters and circumferences to the nearest
millimeter (mm). To measure the diameter of the circle you will use your ruler. To measure the
circumference of the circle outline the circle with the string (dental floss). Mark on the string the beginning
and end of the length and then straighten out the string so that you can measure the length using your ruler.
Record your measurements below.

Circle # Diameter (mm) Circumference (mm)

Ratio of (3 decimal places)

Now determine the average of the 5 ratios that you measured. Round the answer to 2 decimals.

Compare with 4 others and record their values below along with yours and then calculate the average of those
5 values.
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What special number is this average ratio very close to? ______________

What is the relationship between the diameter of the circle and the circumference?

What is the relationship between the radius of the circle and the circumference?

2. WRAPPING A CIRCLE WITH RADII

Use your string to measure the length of the radius of the circle. Mark
the radius clearly on your string. Beginning at point A measure a radius
along the circle’s edge. Make a mark there on your circle and then
measure another radius from that mark. Continue this around the
circle until you get back to point A.
B A
How many complete radii were How many complete radii were
you able to measure around the you able to measure from point
edge of the circle once? A to point B?

_________ _________
Repeat the above steps on this circle and record your findings below.
A
How many complete radii were How many complete radii were
you able to measure around the you able to measure from point
edge of the circle? A to point B?

_________ _________

The first answer should have been 6 and the second answer should have been 3.

Why should we have known that 6 and a bit radii would fit along the edge of the circle?

Why did the size of the circle not change the number of radii that fit along the circles edge?

What is the circumference formula when using the diameter?.... when using the radius?
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