← Sectors of one radius add by angle, and the total can pass a full circle · Circumference and Area of a Circle

Sectors of one radius add by angle, and the total can pass a full circle · 12 practice problems

7.G.B.48.G.A.5

Generated variants — 12

Freshly produced from the archetype’s parameters — problem, figure, and solution derived together.

Variant 1 easy answer: 78.5 cm²

In the figure at the right, a part of a circle with radius 5 cm5\ \text{cm} is drawn at each vertex of a quadrilateral and shaded. What is the total area of the shaded parts, in cm2\text{cm}^2?

each sector: radius 5 cm
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A sector of radius 5 cm sits at each of a quadrilateral's 4 vertices. We want their total area.

Givens
  • The polygon has 4 sides.
  • Every sector has a radius of 5 cm.
  • Each sector's angle is the polygon's angle at that vertex.
Unknowns
  • The total area of the shaded sectors.
Constraints
  • The polygon's own angles are never given individually.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#16 Count the Complement · also uses: #7 Identify Subproblems#5 Look for a Pattern

The sectors share a radius, so only their angles matter -- and nobody needs the angles one at a time, only their sum, which any polygon's angles have without being measured.

3 · Execute4 carry out the plan

1Add the polygon's angles

#5 Look for a Pattern 8.G.A.5
A quadrilateral splits into 2 triangles, each worth 180 degrees.
(42)×180=360(4 - 2) \times 180 = 360
360 degrees in all.

2Compare that with a full turn

#16 Count the Complement 7.G.B.4
A whole circle is 360 degrees, so the sectors together are that many circles.
360÷360=1360 \div 360 = 1
1 circles' worth.

3Find one whole circle

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Radius 5 cm.
5×5×3.14=78.55 \times 5 \times 3.14 = 78.5
78.5 cm2 for a full circle.

4Take that many circles

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
The sectors can be slid together into that much of a circle.
78.5×1=78.578.5 \times 1 = 78.5
78.5 cm2 shaded.
Answer: 78.5 cm²
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

78.5 cm2 is less than one full circle of 78.5 cm2, which is right: the 4 angles add to 360 degrees, short of a full turn.

Another way: Measuring each angle and taking each sector separately gives the same total, but the polygon never says what the individual angles are -- only their sum is fixed.

Standardsmin grade 8
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Getting a circle's area and taking a share of it.
  • 8.G.A.5 Use informal arguments to establish facts about angle sum and exterior angles — Using the angle sum of a polygon.
💡Takeaway. Sectors with the same radius add up by their angles alone -- and the total can be more than one whole circle.
Variant 2 easy answer: 100.48 cm²

In the figure at the right, a part of a circle with radius 4 cm4\ \text{cm} is drawn at each vertex of a hexagon and shaded. What is the total area of the shaded parts, in cm2\text{cm}^2?

each sector: radius 4 cm
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A sector of radius 4 cm sits at each of a hexagon's 6 vertices. We want their total area.

Givens
  • The polygon has 6 sides.
  • Every sector has a radius of 4 cm.
  • Each sector's angle is the polygon's angle at that vertex.
Unknowns
  • The total area of the shaded sectors.
Constraints
  • The polygon's own angles are never given individually.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#16 Count the Complement · also uses: #7 Identify Subproblems#5 Look for a Pattern

The sectors share a radius, so only their angles matter -- and nobody needs the angles one at a time, only their sum, which any polygon's angles have without being measured.

3 · Execute4 carry out the plan

1Add the polygon's angles

#5 Look for a Pattern 8.G.A.5
A hexagon splits into 4 triangles, each worth 180 degrees.
(62)×180=720(6 - 2) \times 180 = 720
720 degrees in all.

2Compare that with a full turn

#16 Count the Complement 7.G.B.4
A whole circle is 360 degrees, so the sectors together are that many circles.
720÷360=2720 \div 360 = 2
2 circles' worth.

3Find one whole circle

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Radius 4 cm.
4×4×3.14=50.244 \times 4 \times 3.14 = 50.24
50.24 cm2 for a full circle.

4Take that many circles

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
The sectors can be slid together into that much of a circle.
50.24×2=100.4850.24 \times 2 = 100.48
100.48 cm2 shaded.
Answer: 100.48 cm²
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

100.48 cm2 is more than one full circle of 50.24 cm2, which is right: the 6 angles add to 720 degrees, past a full turn.

Another way: Measuring each angle and taking each sector separately gives the same total, but the polygon never says what the individual angles are -- only their sum is fixed.

Standardsmin grade 8
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Getting a circle's area and taking a share of it.
  • 8.G.A.5 Use informal arguments to establish facts about angle sum and exterior angles — Using the angle sum of a polygon.
💡Takeaway. Sectors with the same radius add up by their angles alone -- and the total can be more than one whole circle.
Variant 3 easy answer: 169.56 cm²

In the figure at the right, a part of a circle with radius 6 cm6\ \text{cm} is drawn at each vertex of a pentagon and shaded. What is the total area of the shaded parts, in cm2\text{cm}^2?

each sector: radius 6 cm
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A sector of radius 6 cm sits at each of a pentagon's 5 vertices. We want their total area.

Givens
  • The polygon has 5 sides.
  • Every sector has a radius of 6 cm.
  • Each sector's angle is the polygon's angle at that vertex.
Unknowns
  • The total area of the shaded sectors.
Constraints
  • The polygon's own angles are never given individually.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#16 Count the Complement · also uses: #7 Identify Subproblems#5 Look for a Pattern

The sectors share a radius, so only their angles matter -- and nobody needs the angles one at a time, only their sum, which any polygon's angles have without being measured.

3 · Execute4 carry out the plan

1Add the polygon's angles

#5 Look for a Pattern 8.G.A.5
A pentagon splits into 3 triangles, each worth 180 degrees.
(52)×180=540(5 - 2) \times 180 = 540
540 degrees in all.

2Compare that with a full turn

#16 Count the Complement 7.G.B.4
A whole circle is 360 degrees, so the sectors together are that many circles.
540÷360=1.5540 \div 360 = 1.5
1.5 circles' worth.

3Find one whole circle

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Radius 6 cm.
6×6×3.14=113.046 \times 6 \times 3.14 = 113.04
113.04 cm2 for a full circle.

4Take that many circles

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
The sectors can be slid together into that much of a circle.
113.04×1.5=169.56113.04 \times 1.5 = 169.56
169.56 cm2 shaded.
Answer: 169.56 cm²
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

169.56 cm2 is more than one full circle of 113.04 cm2, which is right: the 5 angles add to 540 degrees, past a full turn.

Another way: Measuring each angle and taking each sector separately gives the same total, but the polygon never says what the individual angles are -- only their sum is fixed.

Standardsmin grade 8
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Getting a circle's area and taking a share of it.
  • 8.G.A.5 Use informal arguments to establish facts about angle sum and exterior angles — Using the angle sum of a polygon.
💡Takeaway. Sectors with the same radius add up by their angles alone -- and the total can be more than one whole circle.
Variant 4 easy answer: 282.6 cm²

In the figure at the right, a part of a circle with radius 6 cm6\ \text{cm} is drawn at each vertex of a heptagon and shaded. What is the total area of the shaded parts, in cm2\text{cm}^2?

each sector: radius 6 cm
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A sector of radius 6 cm sits at each of a heptagon's 7 vertices. We want their total area.

Givens
  • The polygon has 7 sides.
  • Every sector has a radius of 6 cm.
  • Each sector's angle is the polygon's angle at that vertex.
Unknowns
  • The total area of the shaded sectors.
Constraints
  • The polygon's own angles are never given individually.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#16 Count the Complement · also uses: #7 Identify Subproblems#5 Look for a Pattern

The sectors share a radius, so only their angles matter -- and nobody needs the angles one at a time, only their sum, which any polygon's angles have without being measured.

3 · Execute4 carry out the plan

1Add the polygon's angles

#5 Look for a Pattern 8.G.A.5
A heptagon splits into 5 triangles, each worth 180 degrees.
(72)×180=900(7 - 2) \times 180 = 900
900 degrees in all.

2Compare that with a full turn

#16 Count the Complement 7.G.B.4
A whole circle is 360 degrees, so the sectors together are that many circles.
900÷360=2.5900 \div 360 = 2.5
2.5 circles' worth.

3Find one whole circle

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Radius 6 cm.
6×6×3.14=113.046 \times 6 \times 3.14 = 113.04
113.04 cm2 for a full circle.

4Take that many circles

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
The sectors can be slid together into that much of a circle.
113.04×2.5=282.6113.04 \times 2.5 = 282.6
282.6 cm2 shaded.
Answer: 282.6 cm²
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

282.6 cm2 is more than one full circle of 113.04 cm2, which is right: the 7 angles add to 900 degrees, past a full turn.

Another way: Measuring each angle and taking each sector separately gives the same total, but the polygon never says what the individual angles are -- only their sum is fixed.

Standardsmin grade 8
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Getting a circle's area and taking a share of it.
  • 8.G.A.5 Use informal arguments to establish facts about angle sum and exterior angles — Using the angle sum of a polygon.
💡Takeaway. Sectors with the same radius add up by their angles alone -- and the total can be more than one whole circle.
Variant 5 medium answer: 84.78 cm²

In the figure at the right, a part of a circle with radius 3 cm3\ \text{cm} is drawn at each vertex of a octagon and shaded. What is the total area of the shaded parts, in cm2\text{cm}^2?

each sector: radius 3 cm
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A sector of radius 3 cm sits at each of a octagon's 8 vertices. We want their total area.

Givens
  • The polygon has 8 sides.
  • Every sector has a radius of 3 cm.
  • Each sector's angle is the polygon's angle at that vertex.
Unknowns
  • The total area of the shaded sectors.
Constraints
  • The polygon's own angles are never given individually.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#16 Count the Complement · also uses: #7 Identify Subproblems#5 Look for a Pattern

The sectors share a radius, so only their angles matter -- and nobody needs the angles one at a time, only their sum, which any polygon's angles have without being measured.

3 · Execute4 carry out the plan

1Add the polygon's angles

#5 Look for a Pattern 8.G.A.5
A octagon splits into 6 triangles, each worth 180 degrees.
(82)×180=1080(8 - 2) \times 180 = 1080
1080 degrees in all.

2Compare that with a full turn

#16 Count the Complement 7.G.B.4
A whole circle is 360 degrees, so the sectors together are that many circles.
1080÷360=31080 \div 360 = 3
3 circles' worth.

3Find one whole circle

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Radius 3 cm.
3×3×3.14=28.263 \times 3 \times 3.14 = 28.26
28.26 cm2 for a full circle.

4Take that many circles

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
The sectors can be slid together into that much of a circle.
28.26×3=84.7828.26 \times 3 = 84.78
84.78 cm2 shaded.
Answer: 84.78 cm²
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

84.78 cm2 is more than one full circle of 28.26 cm2, which is right: the 8 angles add to 1080 degrees, past a full turn.

Another way: Measuring each angle and taking each sector separately gives the same total, but the polygon never says what the individual angles are -- only their sum is fixed.

Standardsmin grade 8
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Getting a circle's area and taking a share of it.
  • 8.G.A.5 Use informal arguments to establish facts about angle sum and exterior angles — Using the angle sum of a polygon.
💡Takeaway. Sectors with the same radius add up by their angles alone -- and the total can be more than one whole circle.
Variant 6 medium answer: 200.96 cm²

In the figure at the right, a part of a circle with radius 8 cm8\ \text{cm} is drawn at each vertex of a quadrilateral and shaded. What is the total area of the shaded parts, in cm2\text{cm}^2?

each sector: radius 8 cm
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A sector of radius 8 cm sits at each of a quadrilateral's 4 vertices. We want their total area.

Givens
  • The polygon has 4 sides.
  • Every sector has a radius of 8 cm.
  • Each sector's angle is the polygon's angle at that vertex.
Unknowns
  • The total area of the shaded sectors.
Constraints
  • The polygon's own angles are never given individually.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#16 Count the Complement · also uses: #7 Identify Subproblems#5 Look for a Pattern

The sectors share a radius, so only their angles matter -- and nobody needs the angles one at a time, only their sum, which any polygon's angles have without being measured.

3 · Execute4 carry out the plan

1Add the polygon's angles

#5 Look for a Pattern 8.G.A.5
A quadrilateral splits into 2 triangles, each worth 180 degrees.
(42)×180=360(4 - 2) \times 180 = 360
360 degrees in all.

2Compare that with a full turn

#16 Count the Complement 7.G.B.4
A whole circle is 360 degrees, so the sectors together are that many circles.
360÷360=1360 \div 360 = 1
1 circles' worth.

3Find one whole circle

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Radius 8 cm.
8×8×3.14=200.968 \times 8 \times 3.14 = 200.96
200.96 cm2 for a full circle.

4Take that many circles

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
The sectors can be slid together into that much of a circle.
200.96×1=200.96200.96 \times 1 = 200.96
200.96 cm2 shaded.
Answer: 200.96 cm²
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

200.96 cm2 is less than one full circle of 200.96 cm2, which is right: the 4 angles add to 360 degrees, short of a full turn.

Another way: Measuring each angle and taking each sector separately gives the same total, but the polygon never says what the individual angles are -- only their sum is fixed.

Standardsmin grade 8
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Getting a circle's area and taking a share of it.
  • 8.G.A.5 Use informal arguments to establish facts about angle sum and exterior angles — Using the angle sum of a polygon.
💡Takeaway. Sectors with the same radius add up by their angles alone -- and the total can be more than one whole circle.
Variant 7 medium answer: 175.84 cm²

In the figure at the right, a part of a circle with radius 4 cm4\ \text{cm} is drawn at each vertex of a nonagon and shaded. What is the total area of the shaded parts, in cm2\text{cm}^2?

each sector: radius 4 cm
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A sector of radius 4 cm sits at each of a nonagon's 9 vertices. We want their total area.

Givens
  • The polygon has 9 sides.
  • Every sector has a radius of 4 cm.
  • Each sector's angle is the polygon's angle at that vertex.
Unknowns
  • The total area of the shaded sectors.
Constraints
  • The polygon's own angles are never given individually.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#16 Count the Complement · also uses: #7 Identify Subproblems#5 Look for a Pattern

The sectors share a radius, so only their angles matter -- and nobody needs the angles one at a time, only their sum, which any polygon's angles have without being measured.

3 · Execute4 carry out the plan

1Add the polygon's angles

#5 Look for a Pattern 8.G.A.5
A nonagon splits into 7 triangles, each worth 180 degrees.
(92)×180=1260(9 - 2) \times 180 = 1260
1260 degrees in all.

2Compare that with a full turn

#16 Count the Complement 7.G.B.4
A whole circle is 360 degrees, so the sectors together are that many circles.
1260÷360=3.51260 \div 360 = 3.5
3.5 circles' worth.

3Find one whole circle

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Radius 4 cm.
4×4×3.14=50.244 \times 4 \times 3.14 = 50.24
50.24 cm2 for a full circle.

4Take that many circles

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
The sectors can be slid together into that much of a circle.
50.24×3.5=175.8450.24 \times 3.5 = 175.84
175.84 cm2 shaded.
Answer: 175.84 cm²
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

175.84 cm2 is more than one full circle of 50.24 cm2, which is right: the 9 angles add to 1260 degrees, past a full turn.

Another way: Measuring each angle and taking each sector separately gives the same total, but the polygon never says what the individual angles are -- only their sum is fixed.

Standardsmin grade 8
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Getting a circle's area and taking a share of it.
  • 8.G.A.5 Use informal arguments to establish facts about angle sum and exterior angles — Using the angle sum of a polygon.
💡Takeaway. Sectors with the same radius add up by their angles alone -- and the total can be more than one whole circle.
Variant 8 hard answer: 628 cm²

In the figure at the right, a part of a circle with radius 10 cm10\ \text{cm} is drawn at each vertex of a hexagon and shaded. What is the total area of the shaded parts, in cm2\text{cm}^2?

each sector: radius 10 cm
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A sector of radius 10 cm sits at each of a hexagon's 6 vertices. We want their total area.

Givens
  • The polygon has 6 sides.
  • Every sector has a radius of 10 cm.
  • Each sector's angle is the polygon's angle at that vertex.
Unknowns
  • The total area of the shaded sectors.
Constraints
  • The polygon's own angles are never given individually.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#16 Count the Complement · also uses: #7 Identify Subproblems#5 Look for a Pattern

The sectors share a radius, so only their angles matter -- and nobody needs the angles one at a time, only their sum, which any polygon's angles have without being measured.

3 · Execute4 carry out the plan

1Add the polygon's angles

#5 Look for a Pattern 8.G.A.5
A hexagon splits into 4 triangles, each worth 180 degrees.
(62)×180=720(6 - 2) \times 180 = 720
720 degrees in all.

2Compare that with a full turn

#16 Count the Complement 7.G.B.4
A whole circle is 360 degrees, so the sectors together are that many circles.
720÷360=2720 \div 360 = 2
2 circles' worth.

3Find one whole circle

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Radius 10 cm.
10×10×3.14=31410 \times 10 \times 3.14 = 314
314 cm2 for a full circle.

4Take that many circles

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
The sectors can be slid together into that much of a circle.
314×2=628314 \times 2 = 628
628 cm2 shaded.
Answer: 628 cm²
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

628 cm2 is more than one full circle of 314 cm2, which is right: the 6 angles add to 720 degrees, past a full turn.

Another way: Measuring each angle and taking each sector separately gives the same total, but the polygon never says what the individual angles are -- only their sum is fixed.

Standardsmin grade 8
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Getting a circle's area and taking a share of it.
  • 8.G.A.5 Use informal arguments to establish facts about angle sum and exterior angles — Using the angle sum of a polygon.
💡Takeaway. Sectors with the same radius add up by their angles alone -- and the total can be more than one whole circle.
Variant 9 hard answer: 314 cm²

In the figure at the right, a part of a circle with radius 5 cm5\ \text{cm} is drawn at each vertex of a decagon and shaded. What is the total area of the shaded parts, in cm2\text{cm}^2?

each sector: radius 5 cm
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A sector of radius 5 cm sits at each of a decagon's 10 vertices. We want their total area.

Givens
  • The polygon has 10 sides.
  • Every sector has a radius of 5 cm.
  • Each sector's angle is the polygon's angle at that vertex.
Unknowns
  • The total area of the shaded sectors.
Constraints
  • The polygon's own angles are never given individually.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#16 Count the Complement · also uses: #7 Identify Subproblems#5 Look for a Pattern

The sectors share a radius, so only their angles matter -- and nobody needs the angles one at a time, only their sum, which any polygon's angles have without being measured.

3 · Execute4 carry out the plan

1Add the polygon's angles

#5 Look for a Pattern 8.G.A.5
A decagon splits into 8 triangles, each worth 180 degrees.
(102)×180=1440(10 - 2) \times 180 = 1440
1440 degrees in all.

2Compare that with a full turn

#16 Count the Complement 7.G.B.4
A whole circle is 360 degrees, so the sectors together are that many circles.
1440÷360=41440 \div 360 = 4
4 circles' worth.

3Find one whole circle

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Radius 5 cm.
5×5×3.14=78.55 \times 5 \times 3.14 = 78.5
78.5 cm2 for a full circle.

4Take that many circles

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
The sectors can be slid together into that much of a circle.
78.5×4=31478.5 \times 4 = 314
314 cm2 shaded.
Answer: 314 cm²
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

314 cm2 is more than one full circle of 78.5 cm2, which is right: the 10 angles add to 1440 degrees, past a full turn.

Another way: Measuring each angle and taking each sector separately gives the same total, but the polygon never says what the individual angles are -- only their sum is fixed.

Standardsmin grade 8
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Getting a circle's area and taking a share of it.
  • 8.G.A.5 Use informal arguments to establish facts about angle sum and exterior angles — Using the angle sum of a polygon.
💡Takeaway. Sectors with the same radius add up by their angles alone -- and the total can be more than one whole circle.
Variant 10 medium answer: 471 cm²

In the figure at the right, a part of a circle with radius 10 cm10\ \text{cm} is drawn at each vertex of a pentagon and shaded. What is the total area of the shaded parts, in cm2\text{cm}^2?

each sector: radius 10 cm
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A sector of radius 10 cm sits at each of a pentagon's 5 vertices. We want their total area.

Givens
  • The polygon has 5 sides.
  • Every sector has a radius of 10 cm.
  • Each sector's angle is the polygon's angle at that vertex.
Unknowns
  • The total area of the shaded sectors.
Constraints
  • The polygon's own angles are never given individually.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#16 Count the Complement · also uses: #7 Identify Subproblems#5 Look for a Pattern

The sectors share a radius, so only their angles matter -- and nobody needs the angles one at a time, only their sum, which any polygon's angles have without being measured.

3 · Execute4 carry out the plan

1Add the polygon's angles

#5 Look for a Pattern 8.G.A.5
A pentagon splits into 3 triangles, each worth 180 degrees.
(52)×180=540(5 - 2) \times 180 = 540
540 degrees in all.

2Compare that with a full turn

#16 Count the Complement 7.G.B.4
A whole circle is 360 degrees, so the sectors together are that many circles.
540÷360=1.5540 \div 360 = 1.5
1.5 circles' worth.

3Find one whole circle

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Radius 10 cm.
10×10×3.14=31410 \times 10 \times 3.14 = 314
314 cm2 for a full circle.

4Take that many circles

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
The sectors can be slid together into that much of a circle.
314×1.5=471314 \times 1.5 = 471
471 cm2 shaded.
Answer: 471 cm²
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

471 cm2 is more than one full circle of 314 cm2, which is right: the 5 angles add to 540 degrees, past a full turn.

Another way: Measuring each angle and taking each sector separately gives the same total, but the polygon never says what the individual angles are -- only their sum is fixed.

Standardsmin grade 8
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Getting a circle's area and taking a share of it.
  • 8.G.A.5 Use informal arguments to establish facts about angle sum and exterior angles — Using the angle sum of a polygon.
💡Takeaway. Sectors with the same radius add up by their angles alone -- and the total can be more than one whole circle.
Variant 11 hard answer: 1884 cm²

In the figure at the right, a part of a circle with radius 20 cm20\ \text{cm} is drawn at each vertex of a pentagon and shaded. What is the total area of the shaded parts, in cm2\text{cm}^2?

each sector: radius 20 cm
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A sector of radius 20 cm sits at each of a pentagon's 5 vertices. We want their total area.

Givens
  • The polygon has 5 sides.
  • Every sector has a radius of 20 cm.
  • Each sector's angle is the polygon's angle at that vertex.
Unknowns
  • The total area of the shaded sectors.
Constraints
  • The polygon's own angles are never given individually.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#16 Count the Complement · also uses: #7 Identify Subproblems#5 Look for a Pattern

The sectors share a radius, so only their angles matter -- and nobody needs the angles one at a time, only their sum, which any polygon's angles have without being measured.

3 · Execute4 carry out the plan

1Add the polygon's angles

#5 Look for a Pattern 8.G.A.5
A pentagon splits into 3 triangles, each worth 180 degrees.
(52)×180=540(5 - 2) \times 180 = 540
540 degrees in all.

2Compare that with a full turn

#16 Count the Complement 7.G.B.4
A whole circle is 360 degrees, so the sectors together are that many circles.
540÷360=1.5540 \div 360 = 1.5
1.5 circles' worth.

3Find one whole circle

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Radius 20 cm.
20×20×3.14=125620 \times 20 \times 3.14 = 1256
1256 cm2 for a full circle.

4Take that many circles

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
The sectors can be slid together into that much of a circle.
1256×1.5=18841256 \times 1.5 = 1884
1884 cm2 shaded.
Answer: 1884 cm²
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

1884 cm2 is more than one full circle of 1256 cm2, which is right: the 5 angles add to 540 degrees, past a full turn.

Another way: Measuring each angle and taking each sector separately gives the same total, but the polygon never says what the individual angles are -- only their sum is fixed.

Standardsmin grade 8
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Getting a circle's area and taking a share of it.
  • 8.G.A.5 Use informal arguments to establish facts about angle sum and exterior angles — Using the angle sum of a polygon.
💡Takeaway. Sectors with the same radius add up by their angles alone -- and the total can be more than one whole circle.
Variant 12 hard answer: 62.8 cm²

In the figure at the right, a part of a circle with radius 2 cm2\ \text{cm} is drawn at each vertex of a 12-sided polygon and shaded. What is the total area of the shaded parts, in cm2\text{cm}^2?

each sector: radius 2 cm
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A sector of radius 2 cm sits at each of a 12-sided polygon's 12 vertices. We want their total area.

Givens
  • The polygon has 12 sides.
  • Every sector has a radius of 2 cm.
  • Each sector's angle is the polygon's angle at that vertex.
Unknowns
  • The total area of the shaded sectors.
Constraints
  • The polygon's own angles are never given individually.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#16 Count the Complement · also uses: #7 Identify Subproblems#5 Look for a Pattern

The sectors share a radius, so only their angles matter -- and nobody needs the angles one at a time, only their sum, which any polygon's angles have without being measured.

3 · Execute4 carry out the plan

1Add the polygon's angles

#5 Look for a Pattern 8.G.A.5
A 12-sided polygon splits into 10 triangles, each worth 180 degrees.
(122)×180=1800(12 - 2) \times 180 = 1800
1800 degrees in all.

2Compare that with a full turn

#16 Count the Complement 7.G.B.4
A whole circle is 360 degrees, so the sectors together are that many circles.
1800÷360=51800 \div 360 = 5
5 circles' worth.

3Find one whole circle

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Radius 2 cm.
2×2×3.14=12.562 \times 2 \times 3.14 = 12.56
12.56 cm2 for a full circle.

4Take that many circles

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
The sectors can be slid together into that much of a circle.
12.56×5=62.812.56 \times 5 = 62.8
62.8 cm2 shaded.
Answer: 62.8 cm²
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

62.8 cm2 is more than one full circle of 12.56 cm2, which is right: the 12 angles add to 1800 degrees, past a full turn.

Another way: Measuring each angle and taking each sector separately gives the same total, but the polygon never says what the individual angles are -- only their sum is fixed.

Standardsmin grade 8
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Getting a circle's area and taking a share of it.
  • 8.G.A.5 Use informal arguments to establish facts about angle sum and exterior angles — Using the angle sum of a polygon.
💡Takeaway. Sectors with the same radius add up by their angles alone -- and the total can be more than one whole circle.