EDEXCEL GCSE FOUNDATION MATHS - What is the Area of a Circle

Edexcel GCSE Foundation Maths: What is the Area of a Circle?

1. Introduction:

The area of a circle is the amount of space it takes up. It's measured in square units, like square centimeters (cm²) or square meters (m²).

2. Formula:

The area of a circle is calculated using the following formula:

Area = ?r²

Where:

• ? (pi) is a mathematical constant approximately equal to 3.14.
• r is the radius of the circle (the distance from the center to the edge).

3. Example:

Let's say we have a circle with a radius of 5 cm. To find its area:

• Step 1: Substitute the radius into the formula: Area = ?(5cm)²
• Step 2: Calculate the square of the radius: Area = ?(25cm²)
• Step 3: Multiply by ? (3.14): Area ? 3.14 * 25cm² ? 78.5cm²

Therefore, the area of the circle is approximately 78.5 square centimeters.

4. Key Points:

• The area of a circle is always measured in square units.
• You can use the ? button on your calculator for more accurate calculations.
• Remember to square the radius before multiplying by ?.

5. Practice Questions:

1. Find the area of a circle with a radius of 7 cm.
2. A circular garden has a diameter of 10 meters. Calculate its area.
3. A pizza has a radius of 12 inches. What is its area?

6. Conclusion:

Understanding how to calculate the area of a circle is crucial for various real-life applications, such as calculating the space needed for a circular pool, the amount of paint needed to cover a circular wall, or the area of a circular field.