Digital SATMath: Geometry and TrigonometryEasy

A landscaper is designing a circular garden with a radius of 6 feet. They plan to install a decorative border around the entire perimeter of the garden. If the border material costs $2.50 per foot, what is the total cost of the border?

  1. A$94.20
  2. B$188.40
  3. C$47.10
  4. D$113.04
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A. $94.20

The total cost is found by calculating the circumference of the circular garden and then multiplying it by the cost per foot. Circumference (C) = 2πr = 2 * π * 6 = 12π feet. Cost = 12π * $2.50 = $30π ≈ $94.25. Option B is the closest approximation.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. This is roughly double the correct cost, perhaps from squaring the radius or other calculation errors.
  • C. This would be the cost if the radius was the circumference, which is incorrect.
  • D. This might result from using the area instead of circumference or an incorrect radius.

Circumference of a Circle

The distance around the edge of a circle.

  • Formula: C = 2πr (where r is the radius)
  • Formula: C = πd (where d is the diameter)
  • Used to measure the perimeter of circular objects

Memory trick: Circumference is like a fence, around the whole place.

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