Area

course PHY 232

001. Areas*********************************************

Question: `q001. There are 11 questions and 7 summary questions in this assignment.

What is the area of a rectangle whose dimensions are 4 m by 3 meters.

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Your solution:

4meters * 3meters = 12 meters^2

confidence rating #$&* 3

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Given Solution:

`aA 4 m by 3 m rectangle can be divided into 3 rows of 4 squares, each 1 meter on a side. This makes 3 * 4 = 12 such squares. Each 1 meter square has an area of 1 square meter, or 1 m^2. The total area of the rectangle is therefore 12 square meters, or 12 m^2.

The formula for the area of a rectangle is A = L * W, where L is the length and W the width of the rectangle. Applying this formula to the present problem we obtain area A = L * W = 4 m * 3 m = (4 * 3) ( m * m ) = 12 m^2.

Note the use of the unit m, standing for meters, in the entire calculation. Note that m * m = m^2.

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Self-critique (if necessary): OK

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Self-critique rating #$&* OK

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Question: `q002. What is the area of a right triangle whose legs are 4.0 meters and 3.0 meters?

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Your solution:

.5 * 4m * 3m = 6meters^2

confidence rating #$&*

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Given Solution:

`aA right triangle can be joined along its hypotenuse with another identical right triangle to form a rectangle. In this case the rectangle would have dimensions 4.0 meters by 3.0 meters, and would be divided by any diagonal into two identical right triangles with legs of 4.0 meters and 3.0 meters.

The rectangle will have area A = L * W = 4.0 m * 3.0 m = 12 m^2, as explained in the preceding problem. Each of the two right triangles, since they are identical, will therefore have half this area, or 1/2 * 12 m^2 = 6.0 m^2.

The formula for the area of a right triangle with base b and altitude h is A = 1/2 * b * h.

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Self-critique (if necessary): Ok

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Self-critique rating #$&* OK

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Question: `q003. What is the area of a parallelogram whose base is 5.0 meters and whose altitude is 2.0 meters?

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Your solution:

5m * 2m = 10m^2

confidence rating #$&* 1

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Given Solution:

`aA parallelogram is easily rearranged into a rectangle by 'cutting off' the protruding end, turning that portion upside down and joining it to the other end. Hopefully you are familiar with this construction. In any case the resulting rectangle has sides equal to the base and the altitude so its area is A = b * h.

The present rectangle has area A = 5.0 m * 2.0 m = 10 m^2.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

I have to admit I had to be reminded what a parallelogram was. And I have fallen into the habit of when in doubt of how to calculate Area I multiple the numbers given together. In this case it worked, but I know in the future this won’t be the case. After reading the explanation I now understand why I was able to simple multiple the base and height.

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Self-critique rating #$&* 3

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Question: `q004. What is the area of a triangle whose base is 5.0 cm and whose altitude is 2.0 cm?

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Your solution:

.5 * 5cm * 2cm = 5cm^2

confidence rating #$&* 3

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Given Solution:

`aIt is possible to join any triangle with an identical copy of itself to construct a parallelogram whose base and altitude are equal to the base and altitude of the triangle. The area of the parallelogram is A = b * h, so the area of each of the two identical triangles formed by 'cutting' the parallelogram about the approriate diagonal is A = 1/2 * b * h. The area of the present triangle is therefore A = 1/2 * 5.0 cm * 2.0 cm = 1/2 * 10 cm^2 = 5.0 cm^2.

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Self-critique (if necessary):OK

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Self-critique rating #$&* OK

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Question: `q005. What is the area of a trapezoid with a width of 4.0 km and average altitude of 5.0 km?

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Your solution:

4km * 5km = 20 km^2

confidence rating #$&* 3

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Given Solution:

`aAny trapezoid can be reconstructed to form a rectangle whose width is equal to that of the trapezoid and whose altitude is equal to the average of the two altitudes of the trapezoid. The area of the rectangle, and therefore the trapezoid, is therefore A = base * average altitude. In the present case this area is A = 4.0 km * 5.0 km = 20 km^2.

STUDENT SOLUTION ILLUSTRATING NEED TO USE UNITS IN ALL STEPS

A=Base time average altitude therefore………A=4 *5= 20 km ^2

INSTRUCTOR COMMENT

A = (4 km) * (5 km) = 20 km^2.

Use the units at every step. km * km = km^2, and this is why the answer comes out in km^2.

Try to show the units and how they work out in every step of the solution.

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Self-critique (if necessary): I haven’t been adding the (A =) to my solutions which I should to show what I am even calculating for.

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Self-critique rating #$&* 3

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Question: `q006. What is the area of a trapezoid whose width is 4 cm in whose altitudes are 3.0 cm and 8.0 cm?

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Your solution:

Average Altitude

3 cm + 8 cm = 11cm

11cm/2 = 5.5cm is the average altitude

A = 4cm * 5.5cm = 22cm^2

confidence rating #$&* 3

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Given Solution:

`aThe area is equal to the product of the width and the average altitude. Average altitude is (3 cm + 8 cm) / 2 = 5.5 cm so the area of the trapezoid is A = 4 cm * 5.5 cm = 22 cm^2.

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Self-critique (if necessary):OK

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Self-critique rating #$&* OK

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Question: `q007. What is the area of a circle whose radius is 3.00 cm?

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Your solution:

A = pi * (3cm)^2

A = 3.14 * 9cm^2 = 28.27 cm^2

confidence rating #$&* 2

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Given Solution:

`aThe area of a circle is A = pi * r^2, where r is the radius. Thus

A = pi * (3 cm)^2 = 9 pi cm^2.

Note that the units are cm^2, since the cm unit is part r, which is squared.

The expression 9 pi cm^2 is exact. Any decimal equivalent is an approximation. Using the 3-significant-figure approximation pi = 3.14 we find that the approximate area is A = 9 pi cm^2 = 9 * 3.14 cm^2 = 28.26 cm^2, which we round to 28.3 cm^2 to match the number of significant figures in the given radius.

Be careful not to confuse the formula A = pi r^2, which gives area in square units, with the formula C = 2 pi r for the circumference. The latter gives a result which is in units of radius, rather than square units. Area is measured in square units; if you get an answer which is not in square units this tips you off to the fact that you've made an error somewhere.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

I put the cm^2 with the 9 which I’m not sure if that makes a difference or not??? I also did not consider significant figures, in that case my answer should be rounded to 28.3 cm^2 rather than 28.27 cm^2.

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Self-critique rating #$&* 3

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Question: `q008. What is the circumference of a circle whose radius is exactly 3 cm?

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Your solution:

C= 2 pi (3)

C = 2 *3.14 * 3cm = 18.8cm

confidence rating #$&*

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Given Solution:

`aThe circumference of this circle is

C = 2 pi r = 2 pi * 3 cm = 6 pi cm.

This is the exact area. An approximation to 3 significant figures is 6 * 3.14 cm = 18.84 cm.

Note that circumference is measured in the same units as radius, in this case cm, and not in cm^2. If your calculation gives you cm^2 then you know you've done something wrong.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

Okay once again I got the significant figures wrong. However, I’m not sure how. I thought 3 significant figures would be 18.8 not 18.84. What am I doing wrong???

You're not doing anything wrong. The given solution said 3 significant figures, then gave an extra figure that isn't significant (and isn't correct).

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Self-critique rating #$&* 3

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Question: `q009. What is the area of a circle whose diameter is exactly 12 meters?

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Your solution:

To find radius

12m/2 = 6m

A = pi (6m)^2 = 3.14 * 36m^2 = 113.1 m^2 = 113 m^2

confidence rating #$&* 3

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Given Solution:

`aThe area of a circle is A = pi r^2, where r is the radius. The radius of this circle is half the 12 m diameter, or 6 m. So the area is

A = pi ( 6 m )^2 = 36 pi m^2.

This result can be approximated to any desired accuracy by using a sufficient number of significant figures in our approximation of pi. For example using the 5-significant-figure approximation pi = 3.1416 we obtain A = 36 m^2 * 3.1416 = 113.09 m^2.

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Self-critique (if necessary): I used 3 significant figures vs. 5.

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Self-critique rating #$&* 3

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Question: `q010. What is the area of a circle whose circumference is 14 `pi meters?

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Your solution:

Find radius

C = 2 pi r

14 pi = 2 pi r, 14 pi / 2 pi = r

R = 14 pi m/ 2 pi = 7 pi/pi m = 7 m

Now find Area

A = pi * 7m^2 = 3.14 * 49m^2 = 153.94 m^2 = 154m^2

confidence rating #$&* 2

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Given Solution:

`aWe know that A = pi r^2. We can find the area if we know the radius r. We therefore attempt to use the given information to find r.

We know that circumference and radius are related by C = 2 pi r. Solving for r we obtain r = C / (2 pi). In this case we find that

r = 14 pi m / (2 pi) = (14/2) * (pi/pi) m = 7 * 1 m = 7 m.

We use this to find the area

A = pi * (7 m)^2 = 49 pi m^2.

STUDENT QUESTION:

Is the answer not 153.86 because you have multiply 49 and pi????

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

49 pi is exact and easier to connect to radius 7 (i.e., 49 is clearly the square of 7) than the number 153.86 (you can't look at that number and see any connection at all to 7).

You can't express the exact result with a decimal. If the radius is considered exact, then only 49 pi is an acceptable solution.

If the radius is considered to be approximate to some degree, then it's perfectly valid to express the result in decimal form, to an appropriate number of significant figures.

153.86 is a fairly accurate approximation.

However it's not as accurate as it might seem, since you used only 3 significant figures in your approximation of pi (you used 3.14). The first three figures in your answer are therefore significant (though you need to round); the .86 in your answer is pretty much meaningless.

If you round the result to 154 then the figures in your answer are significant and meaningful.

Note that a more accurate approximation (though still just an approximation) to 49 pi is 153.93804. An approximation to 5 significant figures is 153.94, not 153.86.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

I put 154 instead of 49 pi, which is an exact number. I understand in your given solution why 49 pi is the correct answer.

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Self-critique rating #$&* 3

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Question: `q011. What is the radius of circle whose area is 78 square meters?

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Your solution:

78 m^2 = pi r^2

78 m^2 / pi = r ^2

Sqr root(78m^2 / 3.14) = sqr root (78/pi)m = 4.98 m = 5 m

confidence rating #$&* 1

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Given Solution:

`aKnowing that A = pi r^2 we solve for r. We first divide both sides by pi to obtain A / pi = r^2. We then reverse the sides and take the square root of both sides, obtaining r = sqrt( A / pi ).

Note that strictly speaking the solution to r^2 = A / pi is r = +-sqrt( A / pi ), meaning + sqrt( A / pi) or - sqrt(A / pi). However knowing that r and A are both positive quantities, we can reject the negative solution.

Now we substitute A = 78 m^2 to obtain

r = sqrt( 78 m^2 / pi) = sqrt(78 / pi) m.{}

Approximating this quantity to 2 significant figures we obtain r = 5.0 m.

STUDENT QUESTION

Why after all the squaring and dividing is the final product just meters and not meters squared????

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

It's just the algebra of the units.

sqrt( 78 m^2 / pi) = sqrt(78) * sqrt(m^2) / sqrt(pi). The sqrt(78) / sqrt(pi) comes out about 5.

The sqrt(m^2) comes out m.

This is a good thing, since radius is measured in meters and not square meters.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

I put my confidence rating at 1 because I was not confident about my units, and I see in the above reasoning why my answer was in correct units.

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Self-critique rating #$&* 3

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Question: `q012. Summary Question 1: How do we visualize the area of a rectangle?

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Your solution:

To visualize the area of a rectangle we imagine it into rows that are made of 1 unit (whatever unit the problem gives you) sized blocks. Then you can multiple the number of rows by how many blocks are in each row.

confidence rating #$&* 3

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Given Solution:

`aWe visualize the rectangle being covered by rows of 1-unit squares. We multiply the number of squares in a row by the number of rows. So the area is A = L * W.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

I should have summed up my answer with the giving the formula.

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Self-critique rating #$&* 3

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Question: `q013. Summary Question 2: How do we visualize the area of a right triangle?

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Your solution:

You can imagine the area of a right triangle by making look like something that is easier to find the area of. So in this case we know how to find the area of a rectangle so by adding another triangle to the other you can create a rectangle. Once you calculate the area for that rectangle you can simply divide by ˝. Or multiple 1/2, the base, the height.

A = .5 * b * h

confidence rating #$&* 3

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Given Solution:

`aWe visualize two identical right triangles being joined along their common hypotenuse to form a rectangle whose length is equal to the base of the triangle and whose width is equal to the altitude of the triangle. The area of the rectangle is b * h, so the area of each triangle is 1/2 * b * h.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

I needed to be more specific on how to put the two triangles together along their hypotenuse.

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Self-critique rating #$&* 3

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Question: `q014. Summary Question 3: How do we calculate the area of a parallelogram?

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Your solution:

To calculate the area of a parallelogram you simply multiple the base and the height. To determine the height you can take of the top edge hanging over the side and put it on the other side to construct a rectangle. This will allow for you to better determine what is perpendicular to the base.

A = b * h

confidence rating #$&* 3

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Given Solution:

`aThe area of a parallelogram is equal to the product of its base and its altitude. The altitude is measured perpendicular to the base.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

I used the word height instead of altitude, I’m not sure it this will make a difference but it is worth noting.

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Self-critique rating #$&* 3

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Question: `q015. Summary Question 4: How do we calculate the area of a trapezoid?

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Your solution:

You multiple the average height by the base.

confidence rating #$&*

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Given Solution:

`aWe think of the trapezoid being oriented so that its two parallel sides are vertical, and we multiply the average altitude by the width.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

I needed to mention that you need to imagine the two sides as vertical.

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Self-critique rating #$&* 3

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Question: `q016. Summary Question 5: How do we calculate the area of a circle?

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Your solution:

The area of a circle is equal to pi (3.14) * the radius^2.

A= pi r^2

confidence rating #$&* 3

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Given Solution:

`aWe use the formula A = pi r^2, where r is the radius of the circle.

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Self-critique (if necessary): OK

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Self-critique rating #$&* OK

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Question: `q017. Summary Question 6: How do we calculate the circumference of a circle? How can we easily avoid confusing this formula with that for the area of the circle?

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Your solution:

C = 2 pi r

Pi is equal to 3.14 and r represents the radius of the circle.

To make sure you keep this separate from the area you need to remember that the r cannot be squared in the circumference formula. If is was then it would produce squared units which is incorrect.

confidence rating #$&* 3

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Given Solution:

`aWe use the formula C = 2 pi r. The formula for the area involves r^2, which will give us squared units of the radius. Circumference is not measured in squared units.

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Self-critique (if necessary): OK

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Self-critique rating #$&* OK

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Question: `q018. Explain how you have organized your knowledge of the principles illustrated by the exercises in this assignment.

This assignment has refreshed my memory on visualizing areas of different shapes. By being able to visualize it will allow me to calculate the area better. I also have been reminded of the following formulas…

Area of a Rectangle

A = L * W

Area of a Right Triangle

A = 1/2 * b * h

Area of a Parallelogram

A = b * h

Area of a Triangle

A = ˝ * b * h

Area of a Trapezoid

A = b * average altitude

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Self-critique (if necessary):ok

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Self-critique rating #$&* OK

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&#Good work. See my notes and let me know if you have questions. &#