Area of Circles and Composite Shapes

Overview

Presenters Jamie and Katie compare pizza prices, and with some clever work with pizza slices they come up with and use the formula for finding the area of a circle. Drinks cans start out as a metal disc, and at a factory that produces millions of cans a day we see how precise calculation of areas is needed to minimise wastage of materials. Visual demonstrations help to introduce the idea of composite shapes, including semi-circles and quadrants - and the examiners' perennial favourite, the running track. Jamie and Katie visit an athletics stadium and demonstrate how to calculate the area inside the running track.

The programme aims to present the topic in a lively, interesting and entertaining style. The content is linked throughout to the requirements of GCSE Intermediate Mathematics. It includes tips for answering examination questions and a discussion of a typical exam error in the 'Tick or Trash' section. Whilst a simple area of a circle calculation is shown, the focus is on applying the process to more complex problems. Splitting composite shapes into simpler calculable shapes is dealt with in detail, using both abstract images and real contexts. Clear graphic and visual explanations are used to develop the concepts covered. The content is chosen to engage the student audience, as well as to support teachers by bringing the outside world into the classroom.