Firefighter Practice Exam

How many square feet of tarp are needed to cover a circular area with a radius of 7.35 feet?

1. 153.1 square feet

2. 169.72 square feet

3. 173 square feet

4. 46.18 square feet

The correct answer is: 169.72 square feet

To determine how many square feet of tarp are needed to cover a circular area, you would use the formula for the area of a circle, which is given by the equation \( A = \pi r^2 \), where \( r \) is the radius. In this case, the radius is 7.35 feet. Plugging this value into the formula: 1. Calculate \( r^2 \): \[ r^2 = (7.35)^2 = 54.0225 \] 2. Multiply by \( \pi \) (approximately 3.14159): \[ A = \pi \times 54.0225 \approx 3.14159 \times 54.0225 \approx 169.72 \] This result indicates that the area of the circle is approximately 169.72 square feet. Thus, the amount of tarp required to adequately cover the circular area is indeed 169.72 square feet, confirming the correct choice. This calculation illustrates how to find the area of a circular region using its radius, and illustrates the importance of understanding how to apply geometric formulas in practical scenarios, such as determining coverage needed for materials like tarp.