What is the formula for the circumference of a semicircle?

Study for the Accuplacer Advanced Algebra and Functions Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and explanations. Ace your exam preparation!

To determine the circumference of a semicircle, we start by understanding the full circumference formula for a circle, which is given by ( C = 2\pi r ), where ( r ) is the radius of the circle. A semicircle is half of a circle, so we take half of the full circumference. This leads us to:

[ \text{Circumference of semicircle} = \frac{1}{2} \times 2\pi r = \pi r ]

However, we must also include the straight edge of the semicircle, which adds an additional length equal to the diameter of the semicircle. The diameter ( d ) is twice the radius (( d = 2r )). So we add this straight length to our previous calculation:

[ \text{Circumference of semicircle} = \pi r + 2r ]

This shows that the total length around the semicircle (the curved part plus the straight part) is represented as:

[ C = \pi r + 2r ]

Thus, while the curved part is accurately described by ( C = \pi r ), the complete circumference of a semicircle includes both segments. However, if the question

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