Expressing area as a function of circumference

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around expressing the area of a circle as a function of its circumference. The original poster attempts to derive the area function A(c) from the known formulas for area A(r) and circumference C, but encounters confusion during the algebraic manipulation.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the algebraic steps needed to simplify the expression A(c) = π(c/(2π))^2. Questions arise regarding the correct application of algebraic rules, particularly in squaring the terms and simplifying the resulting expression.

Discussion Status

Some participants provide guidance on simplifying the expression and clarify the algebraic steps involved. There is an acknowledgment of confusion regarding the manipulation of terms, but no explicit consensus on the resolution of the misunderstanding has been reached.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses frustration with the formatting of their algebraic work, indicating a potential barrier to clear communication of their reasoning. There are mentions of using advanced formatting tools to better present mathematical expressions.

Fractal314
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I don't feel the formatting is right for this question because it's not a problem, it's just algebra I'm not getting.

A(r)= (pi)(r)^2
C= 2(pi)r

r= C/(2pi)

therefore,

A(c)= pi[c/(2pi)]^2

but I don't understand how this is supposed to equal A(c)= C^2/4pi

my attempt:
A(c)= pi(c/2pi)(c/2pi)
= pi(c^2/4pi)
= c^2pi/4pi

What am I doing wrong?
 
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You are mostly having trouble with the formatting. Your work up to the function, A(c) looks good. Why are you confused? You are simply forgetting some simple algebra, that's all.

This, "A(c)= pi[c/(2pi)]^2", is good. You only want to simplify it. Instead of struggling only with simple text in the message body, use of the advanced formatting available on the physicsforums let's us display that as:
A(c) = [tex]\pi[/tex]([tex]\frac{c}{2\pi}[/tex])2
Start from there to simplify.

EDIT: Please excuse the poor arrangment on the parentheses, since I intended them to reach further vertically to enclose the entire rational part of the expression. also, the first pi factor is NOT intended to be superscripted although it is displayed unfortunately in such a superscripted location.
 
Last edited:
Here's what I did.

A(c) = pi(c/2pi)^2

now I have to square the brackets first, right?

therefore, pi(c/2pi)(c/2pi) Is this not what I have to do?

and then I can multiply the extra pi in there. So I am still confused. I still end up with

A(c)= pi(c^2/4pi)
 
Multiplying by pi will eliminate one pi in the denominator.
 
What do you mean?

if
A(c)= pi(c/2pi)(c/2pi)

then I get pi[c*c/2(2pi)] do I not? Because I have to multiply the two brackets. Then I multiply the pi and end up not getting c^2/4pi.

I am still confused as to what I am doing wrong.
 
When you multiply [tex](\frac{c}{{2\pi }}) \cdot (\frac{c}{{2\pi }})[/tex], you get [tex]\frac{{c^2 }}{{2^2 \pi ^2 }}[/tex]. Multiplying by [tex]\pi[/tex] eliminates 1 [tex]\pi[/tex] in the denominator.
 
Thanks for your help Pengwuino and Symboli, I get it now... and I feel like an idiot.:redface:
 

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