Pi multiplied by the diameter of a circle equals the circle's circumference.
Understanding the Relationship
The mathematical constant π (pi) is defined as the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. This means that for any circle, regardless of its size, if you divide its circumference by its diameter, you will always get approximately 3.14159 (pi). Therefore, we can rearrange this relationship to state that the circumference (C) of a circle is found by multiplying pi (π) by the diameter (d):
C = πd
Explanation
- Diameter: The distance across a circle through its center.
- Pi (π): An irrational number, approximately equal to 3.14159, representing the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter.
- Circumference: The distance around the circle.
Example
Let's say we have a circle with a diameter of 5 units. To find its circumference, we would multiply the diameter by pi:
Circumference = π Diameter
Circumference = π 5
Circumference ≈ 3.14159 * 5
Circumference ≈ 15.70795 units
Formula Summary
| Variable | Meaning |
|---|---|
| π (pi) | Approximately 3.14159 |
| d | Diameter of the circle |
| C | Circumference of the circle |
Formula: C = πd
