
# 5.6: Decimals and Fractions (Part 2)


## Find the Circumference and Area of Circles

The properties of circles have been studied for over 2,000 years. All circles have exactly the same shape, but their sizes are affected by the length of the radius, a line segment from the center to any point on the circle. A line segment that passes through a circle’s center connecting two points on the circle is called a diameter. The diameter is twice as long as the radius. See Figure $$\PageIndex{1}$$.

The size of a circle can be measured in two ways. The distance around a circle is called its circumference.

Figure $$\PageIndex{1}$$

Archimedes discovered that for circles of all different sizes, dividing the circumference by the diameter always gives the same number. The value of this number is pi, symbolized by Greek letter $$\pi$$ (pronounced pie). However, the exact value of $$\pi$$ cannot be calculated since the decimal never ends or repeats (we will learn more about numbers like this in The Properties of Real Numbers.)

If we want the exact circumference or area of a circle, we leave the symbol $$\pi$$ in the answer. We can get an approximate answer by substituting 3.14 as the value of $$\pi$$. We use the symbol ≈ to show that the result is approximate, not exact.

Note: Properties of Circles

r is the length of the radius.

d is the length of the diameter.

The circumference is 2$$\pi$$r.$$C = 2 \pi r\] The area is $$\pi$$r2.$$A = \pi r^{2}\]

Since the diameter is twice the radius, another way to find the circumference is to use the formula C = $$\pi$$d.

Suppose we want to find the exact area of a circle of radius 10 inches. To calculate the area, we would evaluate the formula for the area when r = 10 inches and leave the answer in terms of $$\pi$$.

$\begin{split} A & = \pi r^{2} \\ A & = \pi (10^{2}) \\ A & = \pi \cdot 100 \end{split}$

We write $$\pi$$ after the 100. So the exact value of the area is A = 100$$\pi$$ square inches. To approximate the area, we would substitute $$\pi$$ ≈ 3.14.

$\begin{split} A & = 100 \pi \\ & \approx 100 \cdot 3.14 \\ & \approx 314\; square\; inches \end{split}$

Remember to use square units, such as square inches, when you calculate the area.

Example $$\PageIndex{10}$$:

A circle has radius 10 centimeters. Approximate its (a) circumference and (b) area.

Solution

(a) Find the circumference when r = 10.

 Write the formula for circumference. C = 2$$\pi$$r Substitute 3.14 for $$\pi$$ and 10 for r. C ≈ 2(3.14)(10) Multiply. C ≈ 62.8 centimeters

(b) Find the area when r = 10.

 Write the formula for area. A = $$\pi$$r2 Substitute 3.14 for $$\pi$$ and 10 for r. A ≈ (3.14)(10)2 Multiply. A ≈ 314 square centimeters

Exercise $$\PageIndex{19}$$:

A circle has radius 50 inches. Approximate its (a) circumference and (b) area.

314 in.

7850 sq. in.

Exercise $$\PageIndex{20}$$:

A circle has radius 100 feet. Approximate its (a) circumference and (b) area.

628 ft.

31,400 sq. ft.

Example $$\PageIndex{11}$$:

A circle has radius 42.5 centimeters. Approximate its (a) circumference and (b) area.

Solution

(a) Find the circumference when r = 42.5.

 Write the formula for circumference. C = 2$$\pi$$r Substitute 3.14 for $$\pi$$ and 42.5 for r. C ≈ 2(3.14)(42.5) Multiply. C ≈ 266.9 centimeters

(b) Find the area when r = 42.5.

 Write the formula for area. A = $$\pi$$r2 Substitute 3.14 for $$\pi$$ and 42.5 for r. A ≈ (3.14)(42.5)2 Multiply. A ≈ 5671.625 square centimeters

Exercise $$\PageIndex{21}$$:

A circle has radius 51.8 centimeters. Approximate its (a) circumference and (b) area.

325.304 cm

8425.3736 sq. cm

Exercise $$\PageIndex{22}$$:

A circle has radius 26.4 meters. Approximate its (a) circumference and (b) area.

165.792 m

2188.4544 sq. m

### Approximate $$\pi$$ with a Fraction

Convert the fraction $$\dfrac{22}{7}$$ to a decimal. If you use your calculator, the decimal number will fill up the display and show 3.14285714. But if we round that number to two decimal places, we get 3.14, the decimal approximation of $$\pi$$. When we have a circle with radius given as a fraction, we can substitute $$\dfrac{22}{7}$$ for $$\pi$$ instead of 3.14. And, since $$\dfrac{22}{7}$$ is also an approximation of π, we will use the ≈ symbol to show we have an approximate value.

Example $$\PageIndex{12}$$:

A circle has radius $$\dfrac{14}{15}$$ meter. Approximate its (a) circumference and (b) area.

Solution

(a) Find the circumference when r = $$\dfrac{14}{15}$$

 Write the formula for circumference. C = 2$$\pi$$r Substitute $$\dfrac{22}{7}$$ for $$\pi$$ and $$\dfrac{14}{15}$$ for r . $$C \approx 2 \left(\dfrac{22}{7}\right) \left(\dfrac{14}{15}\right)$$ Multiply. C ≈ $$\dfrac{88}{15}$$ meters

.(b) Find the area when r = $$\dfrac{14}{15}$$.

 Write the formula for area. A = $$\pi$$r2 Substitute $$\dfrac{22}{7}$$ for $$\pi$$ and $$\dfrac{14}{15}$$ for r. $$A \approx \left(\dfrac{22}{7}\right) \left(\dfrac{14}{15}\right)^{2}$$ Multiply. A ≈ $$\dfrac{616}{225}$$ square meters

Exercise $$\PageIndex{23}$$:

A circle has radius $$\dfrac{5}{21}$$ meters. Approximate its (a) circumference and (b) area.

$$\frac{220}{147}$$ m

$$\frac{550}{3087}$$ sq. m

Exercise $$\PageIndex{24}$$:

A circle has radius $$\dfrac{10}{33}$$ inches. Approximate its (a) circumference and (b) area.

$$\frac{40}{21}$$ in.

$$\frac{200}{693}$$ sq. in.

## Practice Makes Perfect

### Convert Fractions to Decimals

In the following exercises, convert each fraction to a decimal.

1. $$\dfrac{2}{5}$$
2. $$\dfrac{4}{5}$$
3. $$- \dfrac{3}{8}$$
4. $$- \dfrac{5}{8}$$
5. $$\dfrac{17}{20}$$
6. $$\dfrac{13}{20}$$
7. $$\dfrac{11}{4}$$
8. $$\dfrac{17}{4}$$
9. $$- \dfrac{310}{25}$$
10. $$- \dfrac{284}{25}$$
11. $$\dfrac{5}{9}$$
12. $$\dfrac{2}{9}$$
13. $$\dfrac{15}{11}$$
14. $$\dfrac{18}{11}$$
15. $$\dfrac{15}{111}$$
16. $$\dfrac{25}{111}$$

In the following exercises, simplify the expression.

1. $$\dfrac{1}{2}$$ + 6.5
2. $$\dfrac{1}{4}$$ + 10.75
3. 2.4 + $$\dfrac{5}{8}$$
4. 3.9 + $$\dfrac{9}{20}$$
5. 9.73 + $$\dfrac{17}{20}$$
6. 6.29 + $$\dfrac{21}{40}$$

### Order Decimals and Fractions

In the following exercises, order each pair of numbers, using < or >.

1. $$\dfrac{1}{8}$$___0.8
2. $$\dfrac{1}{4}$$___0.4
3. $$\dfrac{2}{5}$$___0.25
4. $$\dfrac{3}{5}$$___0.35
5. 0.725___$$\dfrac{3}{4}$$
6. 0.92___$$\dfrac{7}{8}$$
7. 0.66___$$\dfrac{2}{3}$$
8. 0.83___$$\dfrac{5}{6}$$
9. −0.75___$$- \dfrac{4}{5}$$
10. −0.44___$$- \dfrac{9}{20}$$
11. $$- \dfrac{3}{4}$$___−0.925
12. $$- \dfrac{2}{3}$$___−0.632

In the following exercises, write each set of numbers in order from least to greatest.

1. $$\dfrac{3}{5}, \dfrac{9}{16}$$, 0.55
2. $$\dfrac{3}{8}, \dfrac{7}{20}$$, 0.36
3. 0.702, $$\dfrac{13}{20}, \dfrac{5}{8}$$
4. 0.15, $$\dfrac{3}{16}, \dfrac{1}{5}$$
5. −0.3, $$- \dfrac{1}{3}, - \dfrac{7}{20}$$
6. −0.2, $$- \dfrac{3}{20}, - \dfrac{1}{6}$$
7. $$- \dfrac{3}{4}, - \dfrac{7}{9}$$, −0.7
8. $$- \dfrac{8}{9}, - \dfrac{4}{5}$$, −0.9

### Simplify Expressions Using the Order of Operations

In the following exercises, simplify.

1. 10(25.1 − 43.8)
2. 30(18.1 − 32.5)
3. 62(9.75 − 4.99)
4. 42(8.45 − 5.97)
5. $$\dfrac{3}{4}$$(12.4 − 4.2)
6. $$\dfrac{4}{5}$$(8.6 + 3.9)
7. $$\dfrac{5}{12}$$(30.58 + 17.9)
8. $$\dfrac{9}{16}$$(21.96 − 9.8)
9. 10 ÷ 0.1 + (1.8)4 − (0.3)2
10. 5 ÷ 0.5 + (3.9)6 − (0.7)2
11. (37.1 + 52.7) ÷ (12.5 ÷ 62.5)
12. (11.4 + 16.2) ÷ (18 ÷ 60)
13. $$\left(\dfrac{1}{5}\right)^{2}$$ + (1.4)(6.5)
14. $$\left(\dfrac{1}{2}\right)^{2}$$ + (2.1)(8.3)
15. $$− \dfrac{9}{10} \cdot \dfrac{8}{15}$$ + 0.25
16. $$− \dfrac{3}{8} \cdot \dfrac{14}{15}$$ + 0.72

### Mixed Practice

In the following exercises, simplify. Give the answer as a decimal.

1. $$3 \dfrac{1}{4}$$ − 6.5
2. $$5 \dfrac{2}{5}$$ − 8.75
3. 10.86 ÷ $$\dfrac{2}{3}$$
4. 5.79 ÷ $$\dfrac{3}{4}$$
5. $$\dfrac{7}{8}$$(103.48) + $$1 \dfrac{1}{2}$$(361)
6. $$\dfrac{5}{16}$$(117.6) + $$2 \dfrac{1}{3}$$(699)
7. 3.6$$\left(\dfrac{9}{8} − 2.72\right)$$
8. 5.1$$\left(\dfrac{12}{5} − 3.91\right)$$

### Find the Circumference and Area of Circles

In the following exercises, approximate the (a) circumference and (b) area of each circle. If measurements are given in fractions, leave answers in fraction form.

9. radius = $$\dfrac{7}{10}$$ mile
10. radius = $$\dfrac{7}{11}$$ mile
11. radius = $$\dfrac{3}{8}$$ yard
12. radius = $$\dfrac{5}{12}$$ yard
13. diameter = $$\dfrac{5}{6}$$ m
14. diameter = $$\dfrac{3}{4}$$ m

## Everyday Math

1. Kelly wants to buy a pair of boots that are on sale for $$\dfrac{2}{3}$$ of the original price. The original price of the boots is \$84.99. What is the sale price of the shoes?
2. An architect is planning to put a circular mosaic in the entry of a new building. The mosaic will be in the shape of a circle with radius of 6 feet. How many square feet of tile will be needed for the mosaic? (Round your answer up to the next whole number.)

## Writing Exercises

1. Is it easier for you to convert a decimal to a fraction or a fraction to a decimal? Explain.
2. Describe a situation in your life in which you might need to find the area or circumference of a circle.

## Self Check

(a) After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section

(b) What does this checklist tell you about your mastery of this section? What steps will you take to improve?