Discovering the Area of a Circle: Egyptian Style

Gail Kaplan, Towson University <gkaplan@towson.edu>

Recall the area of a circle is generally given by the formula A = π r 2 . Suppose we let d represent the
⎛d ⎞ π
2
d
diameter of the circle. Since r = , A = π ⎜ ⎟ = ⋅ d 2 . For this project we will consider the diameter of
2 ⎝2⎠ 4
a penny to be one unit. Use a penny to measure the length of the side of the square on the next page.

The length of the side of the square is units.

Therefore, the area of the square is square units.
Use a penny to measure the diameter of the large, bold circle on the last page.
The diameter of the large circle is units.
How many pennies do you estimate will fill the circle?

Next we want to approximate the area of this circle. We will seek to compare it with the area of the square
which we already know. Place one penny in the center of the large circle. Surround it with a circle of six
pennies. Surround that circle with a circle of pennies. Continue in this manner until the circle is filled with
pennies.
pennies approximately fill the circle.

Describe the approximate relationship between the area of the square and the area of the circle.

To find the area of the square we square the length of its side; the area is 82 square units. Thus, the area
of the square is 64 square units. In problem 50 of the Egyptian Rhind Papyrus reads "Example of a round
1
field of diameter 9. What is the area? Take away of the diameter; the remainder is 8. Multiply 8 times
9
8, it makes 64. Therefore, the area is 64."
The diameter of our circle is 9 units.
1 1 1
Take away of the diameter from the diameter. ⋅ 9 = 1, 9 − ⋅ 9 = 8 .
9 9 9
Multiply 8 times 8, it makes 64. 8 × 8 = 64
The area is 64 square units.

1 1
In general, assume the diameter measures d units. Then of the diameter is ⋅ d units. The remaining
9 9
2
1 8 ⎛8 ⎞ 64 2
part measures d − ⋅ d = ⋅ d units. Square this value: ⎜ d⎟ = d = 0.7901d 2 . We know that
9 9 ⎝ 9 ⎠ 81
π π
A= ⋅ d 2 . Thus, it appears that the Egyptians were approximating by .7901. How accurate was this
4 4
approximation?
Ancient Egyptians were known to use circular counters. It may be that their formula for the area of a
circle was discovered in a fashion similar to this.

Page 54 Ohio Journal of School Mathematics Spring, 2007

The Square

Ohio Journal of School Mathematics Spring, 2007 Page 55

The Circle

Page 56 Ohio Journal of School Mathematics Spring, 2007