Class Discussion
This page allows students to help one another with homework problems and discuss class topics. I require students to make at least one post each week briefly explaining what they think the main themes have been, what they understand well, what they don’t understand well, and what I could do better to explain the topic to them. This allows me to get feedback from the students as well as gauge how well they are learning the material.
1.
Shannon Turner | April 4, 2007 at 3:26 am
Today I was reviewing the formulas for the areas of different geometric shapes. I was confused because I have been using the equation Circumference of a Circle = 2 X (Pi) X radius, but my friend in a different math class says she uses Circumference = (Pi) X Diameter. Which one of us is right???
2.
cquill | April 4, 2007 at 3:31 am
Shannon, you both are correct! Remember that the radius is the distance from the center of a circle to any point on the circle. The diameter is the distance of a line segment that starts at one point on the circle, passes through the center of the circle, and then reaches another point on the circle. Thus, the diameter is equal to twice the radius. Therefore, 2 X Radius = Diameter, so the two formulas are equivalent. Sometimes one might be preferred over the other based on the information given in the problem, to minimize the number of calculations. But overall, both will work! Great question!
-Mr. Quill-
3.
dlp2 | April 19, 2007 at 10:54 pm
What would Shannon do without you =P