If a Regular Hexagon is Inscribed in a Circle with a Radius of 4, The GMAT Problem Solving

Question:
If a regular hexagon is inscribed in a circle with a radius of 4, the area of the hexagon is

  1. 12√3
  2. 18√2
  3. 24√3
  4. 48

Correct Answer: D
Solution and Explanation:

Approach Solution 1:
In a regular hexagon inscribed in a circle, its side is equal to the radius.
We can divide the hexagon in 6 triangles each with the base of 4. The height will equal √4^2−2^2= √12= 2√3. To obtain this just use Pythagoras, the hypotenuse of each triangle it's the radius, and the bases it's 4/2= 2.
Now we have the height of each triangle, so At= (4∗2√3)/2=4√3.
Ah= 6*At= 6*4√3= 24√3.

Approach Solution 2:
1) Each of the hexagon's angles 120 degrees : formula if you don't know it is [(# of sides - 2) x 180] = (6 - 2) x 180 = 720 ÷ 6 = 120.
2) Next, split up the hexagon into 6 equilateral triangles with 4 for each of its sides.
3) Find the area of one of the triangles:
- Base = 4
- find the height by splitting the triangle in half so that it becomes a 30/60/90 triangle and find the height using the pythagorean theorem or knowing the 1,√3,2 triangle. Height = 2√3
- one triangle's area = (1/2)bh = (1/2)(4)(2√3) = 4√3
4) find the area of the hexagon by multiplying the one triangle's area by 6:
- 6 x 4√3 = 24√3

Approach Solution 3:
We may recall that a regular hexagon can be divided into 6 equilateral triangles, and thus the area of a regular hexagon is:
6[(s^2√3)/4], where s = side of the equilateral triangle and (s^2√3)/4 = the area of the equilateral triangle.
Since the radius of 4 also represents one side of the equilateral triangle, we can now determine the area of the hexagon.
Area = 6[(4^2√3)/4]
Area = 6[(16√3)/4]
Area = 6(4√3)
Area = 24√3

“If a regular hexagon is inscribed in a circle with a radius of 4, the”- is a topic of the GMAT Quantitative reasoning section of GMAT. To solve GMAT Problem Solving questions a student must have knowledge about a good amount of qualitative skills. GMAT Quant practice papers improve the mathematical knowledge of the candidates as it represents multiple sorts of quantitative problems.

Suggested GMAT Problem Solving Questions

Fees Structure

CategoryState
General15556

In case of any inaccuracy, Notify Us! 

Comments


No Comments To Show