Circle Approximation Graph

1.) Move slider r below to adjust the radius of the circle.
2.) Move slider n and observe what happens.
3.) Make a conjecture about your observations


This is a Java Applet created using GeoGebra from www.geogebra.org - it looks like you don't have Java installed, please go to www.java.com


The area of a circle can be approximated by inscribing and circumscribing a polygon with n sides. As the number of sides of the inscribed/circumscribed polygon increases, their areas approach the area of the circle.

Approximating the area of a circle

Note: This is the output of the one the Math and Multimedia GeoGebra Tutorials. To view the step-by-step instructions in creating the worksheet below click here.

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Adjust sliders r and n at the right hand slide of the GeoGebra applet window.





















Sorry, the GeoGebra Applet could not be started. Please make sure that Java 1.4.2 (or later) is installed and active in your browser (Click here to install Java now)


1.) What do you observe about the relationship between the area of the circle as n increases?
2.) Vary the values of n and r and observe what happens. Based on your observations, what conjecture can you make?