Math AFL

Name – Dhruv Chandwani

Grade - 11B

Task 1: Estimation of π
The goal of this assignment is to the value of π through finding the
area of unit circle. To find an estimate for this area you need to
calculate the areas of n-sided inscribed and circumscribed polygon

Question 1:
Explain in simple terms why the value of π lies between the areas of
the two polygons described above.

The area of the circle lies between the areas of the two polygons
because the area of inscribed polygon is less than the area of the
circle because there are some parts of the circle which are not
touched by the inscribed polygon. But, the area of the circumscribed
polygon is more than that of the circle because it covers more area
than the circle itself.
Question 2:
Develop a general formula for the area of n-sided equilateral polygon
which is inscribed in a circle of radius r.
R – radius of the circle.
n – number of sides of the inscribed polygon
A – area of inscribed polygon

The value of the central reflex of the triangle is (360/n)

Using area of ∆ ABC = 1/2 * a * b * SinC

Since the sides of the triangle are equal i.e., they are the radii, we can
write the given equation as:
1
∗r∗r∗sin ( C )
2

Which can be further written as:

2
r 360
sin ⁡( )
2 n

Since the equation written above is area of triangle which divides n-

sided regular polygon into n equal halves, the equation that can be
further created is:
 2
n∗r 360
∗sin ⁡( )
2 n

Question 3:
Develop a general formula for the area of n-sided equilateral polygon
which is circumscribed in a circle of radius r.
R – radius of the circle.
n – number of sides of the inscribed polygon
A – area of inscribed polygon

One of the angles divides circumscribed n-sided equilateral polygon

at the center of the circle. Let the angle be called DEF.
1 360 180
Therefore, angle of the triangle DEF = 2
∗(
n
) = n
DE
tan¿=
r

DE = r * tan DEF
1 180 180
Area of ∆≝¿ = = r ∗tan(
2 2
∗2 r ∗tan ⁡( ) )
2 n n

Area of n-sided equilateral = n * Area of ∆≝¿

180
Area of n-sided equilateral = n r ∗tan(
2
)
n

Question 4:
Using r=1, and n from 10 to 400 (in steps of 10), calculate the values
of the areas of the inscribed and circumscribed polygons.
(a) For each polygon how many decimal places of accuracy are
there when n=400? Note that π=3.141592654 to 9 decimal
places.
-When n = 400, the value of π has 3 places of accuracy i.e., 3.141.

(b) Calculate the average of the areas of the inscribed and

circumscribed polygons for n=400. How many places of
accuracy are there?

- Average = (3.141463462 + 3.141657252)/2 = 3.141560357

The average of the areas of circumscribed and inscribed polygons has
4 decimal places of accuracy i.e., 3.1415

Question 5:
Approximation (A):
When n = 5623
Area of inscribed polygon = 3.1415919998
Area of circumscribed polygon = 3.141592980

When n = 5624
Area of inscribed polygon = 3.1415920001
Area of circumscribed polygon = 3.1415929804

Therefore, n = 5624

Approximation (B):
When n = 2811, average area of both polygons = 3.1415919996
When n = 2812, average area of both polygons = 3.1415920001

Therefore, n = 2812

Question 6:
Plot the areas you have found against the number of sides. Also label
the value of π. Which approximation converges faster? Try to justify
your answer.
The “Average” converges with the value of π fastest. This is because
the value of π lies between the areas of the inscribes and
circumscribed polygons.

Question 7:
Archimedes also found a value for π using the semi-perimeter of the
inscribed and circumscribed polygons. Using this alternative method,
follow a similar procedure to the one described previously to find an
estimate for the value of π.

Archimedes used lengths of circumferences of inscribed n-sided

equilateral polygon and circumscribed n-sided equilateral polygon to
the circle.
Length of circumference on inscribed n-sided equilateral polygon =
2nr.sin(180/n)

Angle DOB bisects AOB.

Tan DOB = tan (180/n)=x/r

x=r*tan(180/n)

Length of circumference on circumscribed n-sided equilateral

polygon = 2nrtan(180’/n)
Length of circumference of the circle is 2 π r.
Therefore, 2nrsin(180’/n) < 2 π r < 2nrtan(180’/n).
nsin(180’/n) < 2 π r < ntan(180’/n).