GED Mathematical Reasoning TestQuantitative Problem Solving with MeasurementMedium
A landscaper is designing a circular flower bed with a radius of 4 feet. If a protective mesh needs to cover the entire top surface of the flower bed, what is the minimum area of mesh required, rounded to the nearest square foot?
- A100 square feet
- B50 square feet
- C25 square feet
- D13 square feet
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 50 square feet
To find the area of the circular flower bed, use the formula A = πr². Given a radius (r) of 4 feet, A = π * (4 feet)² = π * 16 ≈ 3.14159 * 16 ≈ 50.265 square feet. Rounded to the nearest square foot, this is 50 square feet.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This would be the result if the diameter was squared (πd²) instead of the radius or a calculation error.
- C. This would be the result if the radius was multiplied by π (πr) or a calculation error (e.g., 4*4 without pi).
- D. This would be the result if the diameter was used as the radius or a calculation error (e.g., π * 2^2).
Area of a Circle
The area of a circle is the total space enclosed within its circumference, calculated by pi (π) times the square of its radius.
- Formula: A = πr²
- Measured in square units.
- π is approximately 3.14159.
Memory trick: Pi R Squared, for the circle's full space to be shared!