Maplets for the Area of the Unit Circle

Author(s): 
Muharrem Aktumen and Ahmet Kacar

Author Information

Muharrem Aktumen and Ahmet Kacar are faculty members in the Department of Primary Mathematics Education at Kastamonu University in Kastamonu, Turkey

Abstract

In this paper, we use Maplets to illustrate several different methods of estimating the area of the unit circle. The first method uses regular inscribed and circumscribed polygons. The second method uses inner, outer, and middle rectangles each of which corresponds to a Riemann sum. The third method uses small, included squares. The Maplets illustrate the area problem from both graphical and numerical points of view, and can be valuable in teaching certain integral concepts and for historical background.

Intended Audience

High School and College Mathematics Teachers

Technologies used in this article

This article uses Maplets and requires the Maple computer algebra system (version 9 or later).

Publication Data

Published May 2007; article ID 1549. Copyright © 2007 by Muharrem Aktümen and Ahmet Kaçar

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