R O S E B E D -- M O R E   Q U E S T  I O N S ! ! !

(Math in E V E R Y D A Y    L I F E)

Dr. Robert J. Rapalje

Seminole State College of Florida

Sanford, FL  32773

Follow-up Math Problems  --  When you answer a math question, you just get MORE questions!!

4.      OOPS!!  Dr. Rapalje miscalculated the number of blocks!  While the edge of the hole is a circle with 18-foot diameter, the blocks are actually laid OUTSIDE of the hole, with the circumference of the circle measured using widest points of the blocks.   While the rose-bed has a diameter of 18 feet, the diameter of the circle formed by the blocks is actually 20 feet.   How many blocks are needed?  (Back to the store to buy more blocks!!)

       SOLUTION:

         As in Problem #2, to find the number of paving blocks you need, you need to find the circumference, the distance around the circle, using the formula

                 , where d is the diameter of the circle                  

or   , where r is the radius of the circle.

                   While the distance across the hole was 18 feet, the circle formed by the widest points of the blocks is actually of diameter 20 feet.  And as before, since  is about 3, the distance around this circle is about   feet.  Since the blocks are each 1 foot across, you will need 60 blocks for each layer, a total of 120 blocks.  Your extra half dozen blocks were not nearly enough!!

Back to:    Rosebed Questions  

COMING SOON -- pictures of roses!!

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