Learn on PengiIllustrative Mathematics, Grade 7Chapter 3: Measuring Circles

Lesson 1: Circumference of a Circle

In this Grade 7 lesson from Illustrative Mathematics Chapter 3: Measuring Circles, students explore how to determine whether two measured quantities have a proportional relationship by plotting values on a coordinate plane and examining whether the points fall close to a line through the origin. Using squares as a hands-on context, students measure diagonal length alongside both perimeter and area, then compare how each relationship behaves graphically and numerically. The lesson builds foundational skills for recognizing and modeling proportional relationships from real measurement data.

Section 1

Definition of a Circle

Property

A circle is the set of all points in a plane that lie at a given distance, called the radius, from a fixed point called the center.

Examples

Section 2

Relationship Between Radius and Diameter

Property

The diameter (dd) of a circle is twice its radius (rr). The radius is half of the diameter.

d=2rd = 2r
r=d2r = \frac{d}{2}

Section 3

Circumference of a Circle

Property

The distance from the center of a circle to any point on the circle itself is called the radius of the circle.
The diameter of a circle is the length of a line segment joining two points on the circle and passing through the center. Thus, the diameter of a circle is twice its radius.
The perimeter of a circle is called its circumference.
The circumference CC of a circle is given by

C=π×dC = \pi \times d

where dd is the diameter of the circle. The Greek letter π\pi (pi) stands for an irrational number: π=3.141592654...\pi = 3.141592654 ...

Examples

  • A circular pool has a diameter of 10 meters. Its circumference is C=π×1031.42C = \pi \times 10 \approx 31.42 meters.
  • A bicycle wheel has a radius of 14 inches. Its diameter is 2×14=282 \times 14 = 28 inches, so its circumference is C=π×2887.96C = \pi \times 28 \approx 87.96 inches.
  • If a running track has a circumference of 400 meters, its diameter can be found by d=Cπ=400π127.32d = \frac{C}{\pi} = \frac{400}{\pi} \approx 127.32 meters.

Explanation

Circumference is the special name for a circle's perimeter. It's the distance around the circle's edge. This distance is always a little more than 3 times the circle's diameter, a constant ratio we call pi (π\pi).

Lesson overview

Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.

Expand

Section 1

Definition of a Circle

Property

A circle is the set of all points in a plane that lie at a given distance, called the radius, from a fixed point called the center.

Examples

Section 2

Relationship Between Radius and Diameter

Property

The diameter (dd) of a circle is twice its radius (rr). The radius is half of the diameter.

d=2rd = 2r
r=d2r = \frac{d}{2}

Section 3

Circumference of a Circle

Property

The distance from the center of a circle to any point on the circle itself is called the radius of the circle.
The diameter of a circle is the length of a line segment joining two points on the circle and passing through the center. Thus, the diameter of a circle is twice its radius.
The perimeter of a circle is called its circumference.
The circumference CC of a circle is given by

C=π×dC = \pi \times d

where dd is the diameter of the circle. The Greek letter π\pi (pi) stands for an irrational number: π=3.141592654...\pi = 3.141592654 ...

Examples

  • A circular pool has a diameter of 10 meters. Its circumference is C=π×1031.42C = \pi \times 10 \approx 31.42 meters.
  • A bicycle wheel has a radius of 14 inches. Its diameter is 2×14=282 \times 14 = 28 inches, so its circumference is C=π×2887.96C = \pi \times 28 \approx 87.96 inches.
  • If a running track has a circumference of 400 meters, its diameter can be found by d=Cπ=400π127.32d = \frac{C}{\pi} = \frac{400}{\pi} \approx 127.32 meters.

Explanation

Circumference is the special name for a circle's perimeter. It's the distance around the circle's edge. This distance is always a little more than 3 times the circle's diameter, a constant ratio we call pi (π\pi).