Squaring the Circle and Circling the Square

Problem | Hint | Solution | Printable page |
Stage: 4 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3
Part 1
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1) What is the area of the red portion of this figure?

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2) What is the area of the blue portion of this figure?

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3) What is the area of the orange portion of this figure?

If you continue the pattern, can you predict what each of the following areas will be? Try to explain your prediction.

Part 2
Now imagine that instead of the pattern growing, we start with a square and the pattern continues inwards - with the circles and squares becoming smaller and smaller.

If the area of the four blue shapes labelled A, B, C and D is one unit. What is the combined area of all the blue shapes? Explain any reasoning you have used.
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Published April 2003,March 2003.