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Calculating the Radius of a Circle Given Its Diameter
Calculating the Radius of a Circle Given Its Diameter
Understanding the relationship between the diameter and the radius of a circle is a fundamental concept in geometry. This relationship is straightforward and can be applied to solve a variety of problems.
Basic Relationship: Diameter and Radius
The radius of a circle is defined as half of its diameter. This relationship can be expressed mathematically as:
tRadius Diameter / 2
Given this simple formula, we can easily calculate the radius of a circle if we know its diameter.
Examples
Example 1: Diameter 12 cm
Let's start with a simple problem. If a circle has a diameter of 12 centimeters, we can find its radius by applying the formula provided above.
t ttStart with the given diameter:
ttDiameter 12 cm
t t ttUse the formula to find the radius:
ttRadius Diameter / 2 12 cm / 2 6 cm
t t ttSo, the radius of the circle is 6 cm.
tExample 2: Diameter 15 cm
Let's consider another example where the diameter is 15 cm:
t ttStart with the given diameter:
ttDiameter 15 cm
t t ttFind the radius using the formula:
ttRadius Diameter / 2 15 cm / 2 7.5 cm
tExample 3: Diameter 14 cm
Let's solve the problem for a diameter of 14 cm:
t ttGiven diameter:
ttDiameter 14 cm
t t ttApply the formula to find the radius:
ttRadius Diameter / 2 14 cm / 2 7 cm
tCalculating the Circumference
Beyond just finding the radius, understanding the relationship between the radius and the diameter is also crucial when calculating the circumference of a circle. The formula for the circumference of a circle is:
tCircumference 2πr
Where r is the radius of the circle. Let's look at an example of calculating the circumference:
t ttConsider a circle with a diameter of 12 cm:
t t ttFind the radius first:
ttRadius Diameter / 2 12 cm / 2 6 cm
t t ttUse the formula for the circumference:
ttCircumference 2πr 2 × (22/7) × 6 264/7 37.7 cm
tAdvanced Example: Diameter 11 cm
Here's a final example where the diameter is 11 cm:
t ttGiven diameter:
ttDiameter 11 cm
t t ttFind the radius using the formula:
ttRadius Diameter / 2 11 cm / 2 5.5 cm
tConclusion
Understanding the relationship between the diameter and radius of a circle is key to solving various geometry problems. Using the simple formula Radius Diameter / 2, we can easily find the radius of a circle given its diameter. Additionally, this relationship is essential for calculating the circumference of a circle using the formula Circumference 2πr.
Whether you're working on a geometry assignment or need to apply these concepts in real life, this knowledge will serve you well.