LESSON 3:

SITUATIONAL
PROBLEMS
INVOLVING
CIRCLES
ACTIVITY:

4 PICS – 1 WORD
______
SIGNAL
_______
TYPHOON
___________
EARTHQUAKE
What is common with
these three things?
- They have a circular
pattern / shape.
 STEPS:
In solving situational problems involving circles, we can use George
Polya’s steps.
1. Explore the scenario by visualizing it. List all mathematical given and
select a variable to represent the unknown. If possible, express the other
unknown as a variable.
2. Plan the solution. Guess possible answers and create a blueprint of how
you will reach the answer. Write a function model.
3. Solve the problem. Execute your plan and answer the question in the
problem.
4. Check your answer. Make sure that it is correct and logical.
EXAMPLES:
1. Every year, the Philippines gets hit by approximately
20 typhoons. Accurate forecast is therefore needed for
the people to be ready when the typhoon strikes.
Suppose typhoon X is in the country and is predicted to
have 350-km radius. Further, it was reported that town A
located 260 km north and 255 km east from its eye is at
the periphery or circumference of the typhoon. The town
folks want to verify this news.
EXAMPLES:
2. A circular play area with
radius 3m is to be
partitioned into two
sections using a straight
fence as shown in the
figure. How long should
the fence be?
EXAMPLES:
3. A particular cell phone tower is designed to
service a 12-mile radius. The tower is located
at (-3,5) on a coordinate plane whose units
represent miles. What is the standard
equation of the outer boundary of the region
serviced by the tower? Is a cell phone user at
(8,0) within the service range? Explain.
EXAMPLES:
4. The seismological service has detected an
earthquake’s epicenter near a city. The epicenter was
located 5 km to the east and 3 km south of city, and it
was estimated that the earthquake will reach a radius
of 5 km around. Which is the equation of the
circumference of the affected area? Also, determine if
the city was affected by the earthquake.
 SUMMARY:
In solving situational problems involving circles, we can use George
Polya’s steps.
1. Explore the scenario by visualizing it. List all mathematical given and
select a variable to represent the unknown. If possible, express the other
unknown as a variable.
2. Plan the solution. Guess possible answers and create a blueprint of how
you will reach the answer. Write a function model.
3. Solve the problem. Execute your plan and answer the question in the
problem.
4. Check your answer. Make sure that it is correct and logical.