← Rolling matches one circumference to another · Circumference and Area of a Circle

Rolling matches one circumference to another · 12 practice problems

7.G.B.47.G.A.1

Generated variants — 12

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

Variant 1 easy answer: 3 cm

A cone whose slant height is 9 cm9\ \text{cm} is rolled about its apex, as shown at the right. After 33 turns it is back where it started. What is the radius of the cone's base, in cm\text{cm}?

9 cm the path the base traces
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A cone with slant height 9 cm rolls about its apex and returns to its start after 3 turns. We want its base's radius.

Givens
  • The slant height is 9 cm.
  • It takes 3 turns to come back round.
  • The apex stays in one place.
Unknowns
  • The radius of the cone's base.
Constraints
  • The cone rolls without slipping.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships · also uses: #11 Work Backwards#7 Identify Subproblems

Rolling puts two circumferences against each other. Find the circle the base travels round -- its radius is the slant height, because the apex never moves -- and share it out among the turns.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Find the path

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships 7.G.B.4
With the apex fixed, every point of the base stays 9 cm from it, so the base runs round a circle of that radius.
9×2×3.14=56.529 \times 2 \times 3.14 = 56.52
The path is 56.52 cm round.

2Share it among the turns

#11 Work Backwards 7.G.A.1
Each turn lays the base's own rim along the path once, and 3 of them cover it exactly.
56.52÷3=18.8456.52 \div 3 = 18.84
The base is 18.84 cm round.

3Recover the radius

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Divide the circumference by 3.14 and then by 2.
18.84÷3.14÷2=318.84 \div 3.14 \div 2 = 3
The base's radius is 3 cm.
Answer: 3 cm
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

The slant height is 3 times the base's radius, 3 cm -- the same 3 as the number of turns, which is what matching the two circumferences has to give.

Another way: Comparing the radii straight away works too, and shows why: the number of turns is the slant height divided by the base's radius, with the 3.14 cancelling on both sides.

Standardsmin grade 7
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Moving between a circle's radius and its circumference.
  • 7.G.A.1 Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures — Matching the rolled distance against the path.
💡Takeaway. A rolling shape lays its own edge along the path. Count the turns and the two edges tell you each other's length.
Variant 2 easy answer: 2 cm

A cone whose slant height is 10 cm10\ \text{cm} is rolled about its apex, as shown at the right. After 55 turns it is back where it started. What is the radius of the cone's base, in cm\text{cm}?

10 cm the path the base traces
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A cone with slant height 10 cm rolls about its apex and returns to its start after 5 turns. We want its base's radius.

Givens
  • The slant height is 10 cm.
  • It takes 5 turns to come back round.
  • The apex stays in one place.
Unknowns
  • The radius of the cone's base.
Constraints
  • The cone rolls without slipping.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships · also uses: #11 Work Backwards#7 Identify Subproblems

Rolling puts two circumferences against each other. Find the circle the base travels round -- its radius is the slant height, because the apex never moves -- and share it out among the turns.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Find the path

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships 7.G.B.4
With the apex fixed, every point of the base stays 10 cm from it, so the base runs round a circle of that radius.
10×2×3.14=62.810 \times 2 \times 3.14 = 62.8
The path is 62.8 cm round.

2Share it among the turns

#11 Work Backwards 7.G.A.1
Each turn lays the base's own rim along the path once, and 5 of them cover it exactly.
62.8÷5=12.5662.8 \div 5 = 12.56
The base is 12.56 cm round.

3Recover the radius

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Divide the circumference by 3.14 and then by 2.
12.56÷3.14÷2=212.56 \div 3.14 \div 2 = 2
The base's radius is 2 cm.
Answer: 2 cm
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

The slant height is 5 times the base's radius, 2 cm -- the same 5 as the number of turns, which is what matching the two circumferences has to give.

Another way: Comparing the radii straight away works too, and shows why: the number of turns is the slant height divided by the base's radius, with the 3.14 cancelling on both sides.

Standardsmin grade 7
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Moving between a circle's radius and its circumference.
  • 7.G.A.1 Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures — Matching the rolled distance against the path.
💡Takeaway. A rolling shape lays its own edge along the path. Count the turns and the two edges tell you each other's length.
Variant 3 easy answer: 3 cm

A cone whose slant height is 12 cm12\ \text{cm} is rolled about its apex, as shown at the right. After 44 turns it is back where it started. What is the radius of the cone's base, in cm\text{cm}?

12 cm the path the base traces
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A cone with slant height 12 cm rolls about its apex and returns to its start after 4 turns. We want its base's radius.

Givens
  • The slant height is 12 cm.
  • It takes 4 turns to come back round.
  • The apex stays in one place.
Unknowns
  • The radius of the cone's base.
Constraints
  • The cone rolls without slipping.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships · also uses: #11 Work Backwards#7 Identify Subproblems

Rolling puts two circumferences against each other. Find the circle the base travels round -- its radius is the slant height, because the apex never moves -- and share it out among the turns.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Find the path

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships 7.G.B.4
With the apex fixed, every point of the base stays 12 cm from it, so the base runs round a circle of that radius.
12×2×3.14=75.3612 \times 2 \times 3.14 = 75.36
The path is 75.36 cm round.

2Share it among the turns

#11 Work Backwards 7.G.A.1
Each turn lays the base's own rim along the path once, and 4 of them cover it exactly.
75.36÷4=18.8475.36 \div 4 = 18.84
The base is 18.84 cm round.

3Recover the radius

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Divide the circumference by 3.14 and then by 2.
18.84÷3.14÷2=318.84 \div 3.14 \div 2 = 3
The base's radius is 3 cm.
Answer: 3 cm
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

The slant height is 4 times the base's radius, 3 cm -- the same 4 as the number of turns, which is what matching the two circumferences has to give.

Another way: Comparing the radii straight away works too, and shows why: the number of turns is the slant height divided by the base's radius, with the 3.14 cancelling on both sides.

Standardsmin grade 7
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Moving between a circle's radius and its circumference.
  • 7.G.A.1 Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures — Matching the rolled distance against the path.
💡Takeaway. A rolling shape lays its own edge along the path. Count the turns and the two edges tell you each other's length.
Variant 4 easy answer: 2 cm

A cone whose slant height is 14 cm14\ \text{cm} is rolled about its apex, as shown at the right. After 77 turns it is back where it started. What is the radius of the cone's base, in cm\text{cm}?

14 cm the path the base traces
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A cone with slant height 14 cm rolls about its apex and returns to its start after 7 turns. We want its base's radius.

Givens
  • The slant height is 14 cm.
  • It takes 7 turns to come back round.
  • The apex stays in one place.
Unknowns
  • The radius of the cone's base.
Constraints
  • The cone rolls without slipping.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships · also uses: #11 Work Backwards#7 Identify Subproblems

Rolling puts two circumferences against each other. Find the circle the base travels round -- its radius is the slant height, because the apex never moves -- and share it out among the turns.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Find the path

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships 7.G.B.4
With the apex fixed, every point of the base stays 14 cm from it, so the base runs round a circle of that radius.
14×2×3.14=87.9214 \times 2 \times 3.14 = 87.92
The path is 87.92 cm round.

2Share it among the turns

#11 Work Backwards 7.G.A.1
Each turn lays the base's own rim along the path once, and 7 of them cover it exactly.
87.92÷7=12.5687.92 \div 7 = 12.56
The base is 12.56 cm round.

3Recover the radius

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Divide the circumference by 3.14 and then by 2.
12.56÷3.14÷2=212.56 \div 3.14 \div 2 = 2
The base's radius is 2 cm.
Answer: 2 cm
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

The slant height is 7 times the base's radius, 2 cm -- the same 7 as the number of turns, which is what matching the two circumferences has to give.

Another way: Comparing the radii straight away works too, and shows why: the number of turns is the slant height divided by the base's radius, with the 3.14 cancelling on both sides.

Standardsmin grade 7
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Moving between a circle's radius and its circumference.
  • 7.G.A.1 Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures — Matching the rolled distance against the path.
💡Takeaway. A rolling shape lays its own edge along the path. Count the turns and the two edges tell you each other's length.
Variant 5 medium answer: 3 cm

A cone whose slant height is 15 cm15\ \text{cm} is rolled about its apex, as shown at the right. After 55 turns it is back where it started. What is the radius of the cone's base, in cm\text{cm}?

15 cm the path the base traces
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A cone with slant height 15 cm rolls about its apex and returns to its start after 5 turns. We want its base's radius.

Givens
  • The slant height is 15 cm.
  • It takes 5 turns to come back round.
  • The apex stays in one place.
Unknowns
  • The radius of the cone's base.
Constraints
  • The cone rolls without slipping.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships · also uses: #11 Work Backwards#7 Identify Subproblems

Rolling puts two circumferences against each other. Find the circle the base travels round -- its radius is the slant height, because the apex never moves -- and share it out among the turns.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Find the path

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships 7.G.B.4
With the apex fixed, every point of the base stays 15 cm from it, so the base runs round a circle of that radius.
15×2×3.14=94.215 \times 2 \times 3.14 = 94.2
The path is 94.2 cm round.

2Share it among the turns

#11 Work Backwards 7.G.A.1
Each turn lays the base's own rim along the path once, and 5 of them cover it exactly.
94.2÷5=18.8494.2 \div 5 = 18.84
The base is 18.84 cm round.

3Recover the radius

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Divide the circumference by 3.14 and then by 2.
18.84÷3.14÷2=318.84 \div 3.14 \div 2 = 3
The base's radius is 3 cm.
Answer: 3 cm
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

The slant height is 5 times the base's radius, 3 cm -- the same 5 as the number of turns, which is what matching the two circumferences has to give.

Another way: Comparing the radii straight away works too, and shows why: the number of turns is the slant height divided by the base's radius, with the 3.14 cancelling on both sides.

Standardsmin grade 7
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Moving between a circle's radius and its circumference.
  • 7.G.A.1 Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures — Matching the rolled distance against the path.
💡Takeaway. A rolling shape lays its own edge along the path. Count the turns and the two edges tell you each other's length.
Variant 6 medium answer: 2 cm

A cone whose slant height is 16 cm16\ \text{cm} is rolled about its apex, as shown at the right. After 88 turns it is back where it started. What is the radius of the cone's base, in cm\text{cm}?

16 cm the path the base traces
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A cone with slant height 16 cm rolls about its apex and returns to its start after 8 turns. We want its base's radius.

Givens
  • The slant height is 16 cm.
  • It takes 8 turns to come back round.
  • The apex stays in one place.
Unknowns
  • The radius of the cone's base.
Constraints
  • The cone rolls without slipping.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships · also uses: #11 Work Backwards#7 Identify Subproblems

Rolling puts two circumferences against each other. Find the circle the base travels round -- its radius is the slant height, because the apex never moves -- and share it out among the turns.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Find the path

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships 7.G.B.4
With the apex fixed, every point of the base stays 16 cm from it, so the base runs round a circle of that radius.
16×2×3.14=100.4816 \times 2 \times 3.14 = 100.48
The path is 100.48 cm round.

2Share it among the turns

#11 Work Backwards 7.G.A.1
Each turn lays the base's own rim along the path once, and 8 of them cover it exactly.
100.48÷8=12.56100.48 \div 8 = 12.56
The base is 12.56 cm round.

3Recover the radius

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Divide the circumference by 3.14 and then by 2.
12.56÷3.14÷2=212.56 \div 3.14 \div 2 = 2
The base's radius is 2 cm.
Answer: 2 cm
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

The slant height is 8 times the base's radius, 2 cm -- the same 8 as the number of turns, which is what matching the two circumferences has to give.

Another way: Comparing the radii straight away works too, and shows why: the number of turns is the slant height divided by the base's radius, with the 3.14 cancelling on both sides.

Standardsmin grade 7
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Moving between a circle's radius and its circumference.
  • 7.G.A.1 Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures — Matching the rolled distance against the path.
💡Takeaway. A rolling shape lays its own edge along the path. Count the turns and the two edges tell you each other's length.
Variant 7 medium answer: 3 cm

A cone whose slant height is 18 cm18\ \text{cm} is rolled about its apex, as shown at the right. After 66 turns it is back where it started. What is the radius of the cone's base, in cm\text{cm}?

18 cm the path the base traces
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A cone with slant height 18 cm rolls about its apex and returns to its start after 6 turns. We want its base's radius.

Givens
  • The slant height is 18 cm.
  • It takes 6 turns to come back round.
  • The apex stays in one place.
Unknowns
  • The radius of the cone's base.
Constraints
  • The cone rolls without slipping.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships · also uses: #11 Work Backwards#7 Identify Subproblems

Rolling puts two circumferences against each other. Find the circle the base travels round -- its radius is the slant height, because the apex never moves -- and share it out among the turns.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Find the path

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships 7.G.B.4
With the apex fixed, every point of the base stays 18 cm from it, so the base runs round a circle of that radius.
18×2×3.14=113.0418 \times 2 \times 3.14 = 113.04
The path is 113.04 cm round.

2Share it among the turns

#11 Work Backwards 7.G.A.1
Each turn lays the base's own rim along the path once, and 6 of them cover it exactly.
113.04÷6=18.84113.04 \div 6 = 18.84
The base is 18.84 cm round.

3Recover the radius

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Divide the circumference by 3.14 and then by 2.
18.84÷3.14÷2=318.84 \div 3.14 \div 2 = 3
The base's radius is 3 cm.
Answer: 3 cm
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

The slant height is 6 times the base's radius, 3 cm -- the same 6 as the number of turns, which is what matching the two circumferences has to give.

Another way: Comparing the radii straight away works too, and shows why: the number of turns is the slant height divided by the base's radius, with the 3.14 cancelling on both sides.

Standardsmin grade 7
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Moving between a circle's radius and its circumference.
  • 7.G.A.1 Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures — Matching the rolled distance against the path.
💡Takeaway. A rolling shape lays its own edge along the path. Count the turns and the two edges tell you each other's length.
Variant 8 medium answer: 5 cm

A cone whose slant height is 20 cm20\ \text{cm} is rolled about its apex, as shown at the right. After 44 turns it is back where it started. What is the radius of the cone's base, in cm\text{cm}?

20 cm the path the base traces
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A cone with slant height 20 cm rolls about its apex and returns to its start after 4 turns. We want its base's radius.

Givens
  • The slant height is 20 cm.
  • It takes 4 turns to come back round.
  • The apex stays in one place.
Unknowns
  • The radius of the cone's base.
Constraints
  • The cone rolls without slipping.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships · also uses: #11 Work Backwards#7 Identify Subproblems

Rolling puts two circumferences against each other. Find the circle the base travels round -- its radius is the slant height, because the apex never moves -- and share it out among the turns.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Find the path

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships 7.G.B.4
With the apex fixed, every point of the base stays 20 cm from it, so the base runs round a circle of that radius.
20×2×3.14=125.620 \times 2 \times 3.14 = 125.6
The path is 125.6 cm round.

2Share it among the turns

#11 Work Backwards 7.G.A.1
Each turn lays the base's own rim along the path once, and 4 of them cover it exactly.
125.6÷4=31.4125.6 \div 4 = 31.4
The base is 31.4 cm round.

3Recover the radius

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Divide the circumference by 3.14 and then by 2.
31.4÷3.14÷2=531.4 \div 3.14 \div 2 = 5
The base's radius is 5 cm.
Answer: 5 cm
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

The slant height is 4 times the base's radius, 5 cm -- the same 4 as the number of turns, which is what matching the two circumferences has to give.

Another way: Comparing the radii straight away works too, and shows why: the number of turns is the slant height divided by the base's radius, with the 3.14 cancelling on both sides.

Standardsmin grade 7
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Moving between a circle's radius and its circumference.
  • 7.G.A.1 Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures — Matching the rolled distance against the path.
💡Takeaway. A rolling shape lays its own edge along the path. Count the turns and the two edges tell you each other's length.
Variant 9 hard answer: 8 cm

A cone whose slant height is 24 cm24\ \text{cm} is rolled about its apex, as shown at the right. After 33 turns it is back where it started. What is the radius of the cone's base, in cm\text{cm}?

24 cm the path the base traces
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A cone with slant height 24 cm rolls about its apex and returns to its start after 3 turns. We want its base's radius.

Givens
  • The slant height is 24 cm.
  • It takes 3 turns to come back round.
  • The apex stays in one place.
Unknowns
  • The radius of the cone's base.
Constraints
  • The cone rolls without slipping.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships · also uses: #11 Work Backwards#7 Identify Subproblems

Rolling puts two circumferences against each other. Find the circle the base travels round -- its radius is the slant height, because the apex never moves -- and share it out among the turns.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Find the path

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships 7.G.B.4
With the apex fixed, every point of the base stays 24 cm from it, so the base runs round a circle of that radius.
24×2×3.14=150.7224 \times 2 \times 3.14 = 150.72
The path is 150.72 cm round.

2Share it among the turns

#11 Work Backwards 7.G.A.1
Each turn lays the base's own rim along the path once, and 3 of them cover it exactly.
150.72÷3=50.24150.72 \div 3 = 50.24
The base is 50.24 cm round.

3Recover the radius

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Divide the circumference by 3.14 and then by 2.
50.24÷3.14÷2=850.24 \div 3.14 \div 2 = 8
The base's radius is 8 cm.
Answer: 8 cm
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

The slant height is 3 times the base's radius, 8 cm -- the same 3 as the number of turns, which is what matching the two circumferences has to give.

Another way: Comparing the radii straight away works too, and shows why: the number of turns is the slant height divided by the base's radius, with the 3.14 cancelling on both sides.

Standardsmin grade 7
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Moving between a circle's radius and its circumference.
  • 7.G.A.1 Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures — Matching the rolled distance against the path.
💡Takeaway. A rolling shape lays its own edge along the path. Count the turns and the two edges tell you each other's length.
Variant 10 hard answer: 6 cm

A cone whose slant height is 30 cm30\ \text{cm} is rolled about its apex, as shown at the right. After 55 turns it is back where it started. What is the radius of the cone's base, in cm\text{cm}?

30 cm the path the base traces
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A cone with slant height 30 cm rolls about its apex and returns to its start after 5 turns. We want its base's radius.

Givens
  • The slant height is 30 cm.
  • It takes 5 turns to come back round.
  • The apex stays in one place.
Unknowns
  • The radius of the cone's base.
Constraints
  • The cone rolls without slipping.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships · also uses: #11 Work Backwards#7 Identify Subproblems

Rolling puts two circumferences against each other. Find the circle the base travels round -- its radius is the slant height, because the apex never moves -- and share it out among the turns.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Find the path

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships 7.G.B.4
With the apex fixed, every point of the base stays 30 cm from it, so the base runs round a circle of that radius.
30×2×3.14=188.430 \times 2 \times 3.14 = 188.4
The path is 188.4 cm round.

2Share it among the turns

#11 Work Backwards 7.G.A.1
Each turn lays the base's own rim along the path once, and 5 of them cover it exactly.
188.4÷5=37.68188.4 \div 5 = 37.68
The base is 37.68 cm round.

3Recover the radius

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Divide the circumference by 3.14 and then by 2.
37.68÷3.14÷2=637.68 \div 3.14 \div 2 = 6
The base's radius is 6 cm.
Answer: 6 cm
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

The slant height is 5 times the base's radius, 6 cm -- the same 5 as the number of turns, which is what matching the two circumferences has to give.

Another way: Comparing the radii straight away works too, and shows why: the number of turns is the slant height divided by the base's radius, with the 3.14 cancelling on both sides.

Standardsmin grade 7
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Moving between a circle's radius and its circumference.
  • 7.G.A.1 Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures — Matching the rolled distance against the path.
💡Takeaway. A rolling shape lays its own edge along the path. Count the turns and the two edges tell you each other's length.
Variant 11 hard answer: 4 cm

A cone whose slant height is 36 cm36\ \text{cm} is rolled about its apex, as shown at the right. After 99 turns it is back where it started. What is the radius of the cone's base, in cm\text{cm}?

36 cm the path the base traces
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A cone with slant height 36 cm rolls about its apex and returns to its start after 9 turns. We want its base's radius.

Givens
  • The slant height is 36 cm.
  • It takes 9 turns to come back round.
  • The apex stays in one place.
Unknowns
  • The radius of the cone's base.
Constraints
  • The cone rolls without slipping.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships · also uses: #11 Work Backwards#7 Identify Subproblems

Rolling puts two circumferences against each other. Find the circle the base travels round -- its radius is the slant height, because the apex never moves -- and share it out among the turns.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Find the path

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships 7.G.B.4
With the apex fixed, every point of the base stays 36 cm from it, so the base runs round a circle of that radius.
36×2×3.14=226.0836 \times 2 \times 3.14 = 226.08
The path is 226.08 cm round.

2Share it among the turns

#11 Work Backwards 7.G.A.1
Each turn lays the base's own rim along the path once, and 9 of them cover it exactly.
226.08÷9=25.12226.08 \div 9 = 25.12
The base is 25.12 cm round.

3Recover the radius

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Divide the circumference by 3.14 and then by 2.
25.12÷3.14÷2=425.12 \div 3.14 \div 2 = 4
The base's radius is 4 cm.
Answer: 4 cm
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

The slant height is 9 times the base's radius, 4 cm -- the same 9 as the number of turns, which is what matching the two circumferences has to give.

Another way: Comparing the radii straight away works too, and shows why: the number of turns is the slant height divided by the base's radius, with the 3.14 cancelling on both sides.

Standardsmin grade 7
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Moving between a circle's radius and its circumference.
  • 7.G.A.1 Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures — Matching the rolled distance against the path.
💡Takeaway. A rolling shape lays its own edge along the path. Count the turns and the two edges tell you each other's length.
Variant 12 hard answer: 5 cm

A cone whose slant height is 40 cm40\ \text{cm} is rolled about its apex, as shown at the right. After 88 turns it is back where it started. What is the radius of the cone's base, in cm\text{cm}?

40 cm the path the base traces
Show solution
1 · Understandwhat's really being asked

A cone with slant height 40 cm rolls about its apex and returns to its start after 8 turns. We want its base's radius.

Givens
  • The slant height is 40 cm.
  • It takes 8 turns to come back round.
  • The apex stays in one place.
Unknowns
  • The radius of the cone's base.
Constraints
  • The cone rolls without slipping.
2 · Planchoose the strategy

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships · also uses: #11 Work Backwards#7 Identify Subproblems

Rolling puts two circumferences against each other. Find the circle the base travels round -- its radius is the slant height, because the apex never moves -- and share it out among the turns.

3 · Execute3 carry out the plan

1Find the path

#17 Visualize Spatial Relationships 7.G.B.4
With the apex fixed, every point of the base stays 40 cm from it, so the base runs round a circle of that radius.
40×2×3.14=251.240 \times 2 \times 3.14 = 251.2
The path is 251.2 cm round.

2Share it among the turns

#11 Work Backwards 7.G.A.1
Each turn lays the base's own rim along the path once, and 8 of them cover it exactly.
251.2÷8=31.4251.2 \div 8 = 31.4
The base is 31.4 cm round.

3Recover the radius

#7 Identify Subproblems 7.G.B.4
Divide the circumference by 3.14 and then by 2.
31.4÷3.14÷2=531.4 \div 3.14 \div 2 = 5
The base's radius is 5 cm.
Answer: 5 cm
4 · Reviewdoes it hold up?

The slant height is 8 times the base's radius, 5 cm -- the same 8 as the number of turns, which is what matching the two circumferences has to give.

Another way: Comparing the radii straight away works too, and shows why: the number of turns is the slant height divided by the base's radius, with the 3.14 cancelling on both sides.

Standardsmin grade 7
  • 7.G.B.4 Know the formulas for area and circumference of a circle — Moving between a circle's radius and its circumference.
  • 7.G.A.1 Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures — Matching the rolled distance against the path.
💡Takeaway. A rolling shape lays its own edge along the path. Count the turns and the two edges tell you each other's length.