3440.51 – Fraction of a Circular Area


What fraction of the large circle is covered by the small circles?


Solution

For convenience (we get to do this), let the diameter of the large circle be 30. Then the small circles have diameter 10, for example AC. The small circles total area is 7π52=175π7 \pi 5^2 = 175 \pi . The area of the large circle is π152=225π\pi 15^2 = 225 \pi . The ratio is

175π225π=79.\dfrac{175\pi }{225\pi } = \dfrac{7}{9}.

Hmm, 7 small circles; ratio 79\dfrac{7}{9}. Is something going on here?