Year 11 Exam  >  Year 11 Notes  >  Mathematics for GCSE/IGCSE  >  Area & Circumference of Circles

Area & Circumference of Circles | Mathematics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Why are circles different to other 2D shapes?

  • Circles Overview:
    • Circles consist of points equidistant from a central point.
    • Equidistant signifies equal distances from the center.
    • The circle's perimeter is known as its circumference.
  • Understanding Pi (π):
    • π (pi) is a constant (3.14159...) that connects a circle's diameter to its circumference.
  • Calculations and Precision:
    • Answers may require specific decimal places or significant figures.
    • Alternatively, exact values or answers in terms of π might be requested.
    • This topic could feature in non-calculator exam papers.

How do I work with circles?

  • When working with circles, it's crucial to grasp the formulas for both the area and circumference.
  • There are distinct versions of the circumference formula, so it's vital not to confuse the radius with the diameter.
  • Remember the relationship between the diameter and radius: ( d = 2r). However, you can use different variables to remember the formulas.

Area & Circumference of Circles | Mathematics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11

Working with Circle Formulas

Manipulating circle formulas follows a similar process to any other mathematical formula:

  • Step 1: Write Down - Jot down what you know and what you need to find out.
  • Step 2: Pick Correct Formula - Choose the appropriate formula for the problem.
  • Step 3: Substitute and Solve - Replace variables with known values and solve the equation.

Solved Example

Example: Find the area and perimeter of the semicircle shown in the diagram. Give your answers in terms of π.
Area & Circumference of Circles | Mathematics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11
The area of a semicircle is half the area of the full circle with the same diameter, so begin by finding the area of the full circle.
Find the radius by dividing the diameter by 2.
Ans: 

Area & Circumference of Circles | Mathematics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11
Substitute this into the formula for the area of a circle A = πr2.
Leave your answer in terms of π. (This just means do not multiply by π).
Area & Circumference of Circles | Mathematics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11
Find the area of the semicircle by dividing the full area by 2.
Area & Circumference of Circles | Mathematics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11
Area = 32π cm2
The perimeter of the semicircle is made up of both the arc of the circle (half of the circumference) and the diameter of the semicircle.
Find the full length of the circumference of the circle using the formula  C space equals space 2 πr  (or C = πd).
Substitute the radius = 8 cm into the formula.
Again, leave your answer in terms of straight π.
Area & Circumference of Circles | Mathematics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11
Find the full perimeter by adding this to the length of the diameter of the circle.
Perimeter = 8π + 16 cm

The document Area & Circumference of Circles | Mathematics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 is a part of the Year 11 Course Mathematics for GCSE/IGCSE.
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FAQs on Area & Circumference of Circles - Mathematics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11

1. Why are circles different to other 2D shapes?
Ans. Circles are different from other 2D shapes because they do not have straight sides or angles. Instead, a circle is defined by a curved line called the circumference, which is equidistant from the center point.
2. How do I work with circles?
Ans. To work with circles, you need to understand their properties such as radius, diameter, circumference, and area. You can calculate the circumference of a circle using the formula C = 2πr and the area using the formula A = πr^2, where r is the radius of the circle.
3. What is the formula for finding the area of a circle?
Ans. The formula for finding the area of a circle is A = πr^2, where A is the area and r is the radius of the circle. Simply square the radius and multiply by π to calculate the area.
4. How can I calculate the circumference of a circle if I know its diameter?
Ans. If you know the diameter of a circle, you can calculate the circumference by using the formula C = πd, where C is the circumference and d is the diameter. Simply multiply the diameter by π to find the circumference.
5. What is the relationship between the diameter and radius of a circle?
Ans. The radius of a circle is half the length of the diameter. This means that you can find the radius by dividing the diameter by 2, or find the diameter by multiplying the radius by 2. The diameter is the longest chord that can be drawn through the center of a circle.
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