Expert: Dr. Abdulaziz Jarkas - 3/28/2006

Question
on the topic the geometry of a circle i have to discuss the maththematical principles and then i have to relate the topic to engineering or an industry or some kind of work or profession using simple labeled diagrams where possible

thank you in advance

Rommel.Ward

Answer
Dear Rommel,

I will answer, to the best of my knowledge, this type of question although I think you should be directing such types of questions to a Math. Expert. My expertise is related to Construction Engineering.

As far as your question, a circle is the locus of all points equidistant from a central point. Two parameters of importance here: a)the circumference; and b)the area. The circumference is basically the distance around the circle. Mathematically, the circumference is quantified by the following formula: PI * Diameter, where PI is approximately 3.1416, and the Diameter is the largest distance from one end of the circle to the other.

The area of the circle is given by: PI * r2, where r is the radius of the circle, which is the distance from the center of the circle to any point on its circumference.

To relate this topic to a profession, we may think of a quantity surveyor who's taking-off the volume of concrete, for instance, to be placed in a circular column. This guy needs to quantify the area of the column and multiply it by the total height to get the volume. On the other hand, to figure out the amount of shuttering, i.e. surface area of formwork to contain the fresh concrete inside the column, the quantity surveyor needs the circumference of the column and multiply it by its the total height.

Good luck with your work...It's always my great pleasure to assist.

Kind regards,

Dr. Jarkas