Geometry & Figures

Problem

Segment through chained centers as radius multiples

Twenty-one equal circles (radius 5 cm) are lined up so each circle passes through the center of the next, with all centers on one straight line. Segment GN runs from the far-left edge of the first circle to the far-right edge of the last circle. We must find how long GN is.
G N
OperationsGeometry
Your answer
cm
How to solve
Strategy Draw a Diagram — Sketch the line of centers and mark the equal hops. Trying a few circles first (2, then 3) reveals the pattern: GN is made of equal 5 cm pieces. Counting those pieces gives the total length.
1STEP 1

Mark the equal hops

Along GN, G to the first center is one radius (5 cm); each center to the next is one more radius, and so is the last center to N.

G → C1 = 5, C1 → C2 = 5, …, C21 → N = 5
2STEP 2

Count the pieces with a small case

Small cases: 2 circles → 3 pieces (2+1), 3 circles → 4 pieces (3+1), so 21 circles → 22 equal pieces of 5 cm.

pieces = 21 + 1 = 22
3STEP 3

Multiply to get the length

There are 22 equal pieces, each 5 cm long: 22 × 5 = 110.

22 × 5 = 110
Answer
110 cm
22 × 5 = 110
The answer is in centimeters, matching a length. 22 pieces of 5 cm sit between 100 and 120, and 22 × 5 = 110 cm is sensible for a row of 21 circles each 10 cm wide that heavily overlap.
Takeaway

Every gap is one radius, so just count the gaps and multiply -- only Grade 3 multiplication you already know!

  • Mark the equal hops
  • Count the pieces with a small case
  • Multiply to get the length
Where next?
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