GMAT Math : Problem-Solving Questions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

If the circumference of a circle is , what is its radius?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Using the formula for the circumference of a circle, we can solve for its radius. Plugging in the given value for the circumference, we have:

Example Question #31 : Radius

If the area of a circle is , what is its radius?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Using the formula for the area of a circle, we can solve for its radius. Plugging in the given value for the area of the circle, we have:

Example Question #1 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

Given that the area of a circle is , determine the radius.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve, use the formula for the area of a circle, , and solve for .

Example Question #7 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

Given a circumferene of , find the circle's radius.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The circumference of a circle, in terms of radius, can be found by: 

We are told the circumference with respect to  so we can easily solve for the radius:

Notice how the  cancels out

 

Example Question #2 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

The circumference of a circle measures . Find the radius.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Solving this problem is rather straightforward, we just need to remember the circumference of circle is found by  and in this case, we're given the circumference in terms of 

Notice how the  cancel out

Example Question #9 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

The arc  of a circle measures . The chord of the arc, , has length . Give the length of the radius of the circle.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A circle can be divided into three congruent arcs that measure

.

If the three (congruent) chords are constructed, the figure will be an equilateral triangle. The figure is below, along with the altitudes of the triangle:

Circle and triangle

Since , it follows by way of the 30-60-90 Triangle Theorem that 

and

The three altitudes of an equilateral triangle split each other into segments that have ratio 2:1. Therefore,

Example Question #11 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

The arc  of a circle measures . The chord of the arc, , has length . Give the radius of the circle.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A circle can be divided into four congruent arcs that measure

.

If the four (congruent) chords of the arcs are constructed, they will form a square with sides of length . The diagonal of a square has length  times that of a side, which will be

A diagonal of the square is also a diameter of the circle; the circle will have radius half this length, or

Example Question #301 : Problem Solving Questions

Two circles in the same plane have the same center. The larger circle has radius 10; the area of the region between the circles is . What is the radius of the smaller circle?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The area of a circle with radius  is .

Let  be the radius of the smaller circle. Its area is . The area of the larger circle is . Since the area of the region between the circles is , and is the difference of these areas, we have

The smaller circle has radius .

Example Question #13 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

 arc of a circle measures . Give the radius of this circle.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 arc of a circle is  of the circle. Since the length of this arc is , the circumference is  this, or

The radius of a circle is its circumference divided by ; therefore, the radius is

Example Question #14 : Calculating The Length Of A Radius

The arc  of a circle measures . The chord of the arc, , has length . Give the length of the radius of the circle.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A circle can be divided into  congruent arcs that measure

.

If the  (congruent) chords are constructed, the figure will be a regular hexagon. The radius of this hexagon will be equal to the length of one side - one  chord of the circle; this radius will coincide with the radius of the circle. Therefore, the radius of the circle is the length of chord , or .

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