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Geometry and TrigonometryMediumCircumference from a point on the circle

Geometry and Trigonometry practice question

In the xy-plane, a circle is centred at the origin and passes through the point (6, 8). What is the circumference of the circle?

  1. A. 20πCorrect
  2. B. 10π
  3. C. 100π
  4. D. 14π

Answer: A. 20π

The radius is the distance from the origin to (6, 8): √(36 + 64) = 10. Circumference = 2π(10) = 20π.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 10π
10π uses the radius without the 2 in 2πr.
C. 100π
100π is πr², the AREA.
D. 14π
14π adds the coordinates (6 + 8) as if that were the radius.

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