The Area of a Circle (Version 2.0)
Edwina R. Justice Gunsaulus Scholastic Academy
4420 South Sacramento Ave.
Chicago IL 60632
(312) 535-7215
Objectives (Staff):
Demonstrate a phenomenological approach to teaching mathematics.
Inspire others to use the approach.
Objectives (Grade 8):
Review areas of plane figures.
Determine the relationship between the circumference and diameter of a
circle.
Show the geometric representation of the area of a circle as the shape of
a parallelogram.
Derive and use the formula for computing the area of a circle.
Participate in group activity.
Materials:
Tape measures
Round container lids with varying circumference measurements
Paper circles (equal circumferences)
Paper circles with varying circumference measurements
Centimeter grids
Transparencies:
Table with 4 columns labeled - lid number, circumference, diameter, and
circumference/diameter
Graph: Label x-axis as diameter and y-axis as circumference
Several blank transparencies
Worksheet:
Draw four circles of unequal radii on a cm. grid
Recommended Strategy:
Form small groups and measure circumference and diameter of several lids.
Divide circumference by diameter for each lid.
Record data on table (transparency).
Graph ordered pairs (diameter, circumference).
Discuss constant (pi) that results when circumference is divided by
diameter.
Cut paper circles with equal circumferences into 16 equal pie-shaped pieces.
Arrange 16 pieces (on cm. grid) to form a parallelogram.
Calculate area of parallelogram.
Label base of parallelogram as 1/2c and height as r.
Review c = (pi)d c = 2(pi)r.
Show that area of the parallelogram is 1/2(2pi*r)r or pir2.
Use A = pi*r2 to calculate area of whole circle.
Compare area of parallelogram to formula calculations.
Use A = pi*r2 to calculate areas of 4 circles (worksheet).
Cut circles into 1/16's and form parallelograms.
Calculate areas and compare to formula calculations.
Extension:
Make a cylinder and show how the surface area is the total areas
of two circles (the ends) and one rectangle (the side).
Also see the file guests/edwina1.html
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