SAT Math Practice
Circles

Work with circumference, area, and radius relationships, including problems expressed in terms of π.

39 original circles questions in the SAT Ranker bank, with instant scoring and an Elo-based rank once you sign up. Below are a few free samples with full explanations.

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Sample question 1 · easy

A circle in the xy-plane has its centre at (3, -2) and a radius of 5. Which equation represents this circle?

(x - 3)² + (y + 2)² = 25
(x + 3)² + (y - 2)² = 25
(x - 3)² + (y + 2)² = 5
(x - 3)² + (y - 2)² = 25

The standard form is (x - h)² + (y - k)² = r², so a centre of (3, -2) gives (x - 3)² + (y + 2)², and r = 5 gives 25 on the right. Choice with 5 on the right uses the radius instead of its square.

Sample question 2 · medium

A circle has a radius of 9. A sector of the circle has a central angle of 40°. What is the area of the sector?

81π
18π
4.5π

The sector is 40/360 = 1/9 of the circle, and the full area is π(9)² = 81π, so the sector has area 81π ÷ 9 = 9π. Choice 81π is the area of the whole circle.

Sample question 3 · medium

A circle has a radius of 12. What is the length of an arc with a central angle of 60°?

24π

The circumference is 2π(12) = 24π, and 60° is 1/6 of a full turn, so the arc is 24π ÷ 6 = 4π. Choice 24π is the whole circumference.

Sample question 4 · medium

An inscribed angle in a circle subtends an arc measuring 80°. What is the measure of the inscribed angle?

160°
80°
40°
20°

An inscribed angle is half the measure of the arc it subtends, so the angle is 80° ÷ 2 = 40°. Choice 80° would be the central angle subtending the same arc, which is twice the inscribed angle.

Sample question 5 · medium

An angle measures 135°. What is its measure in radians?

2π/3
3π/4
5π/6
4π/3

Multiplying by π/180 gives 135π/180, which simplifies to 3π/4 after dividing both parts by 45. As a check, 3π/4 is three quarters of the way from 0 to π, and 135° is three quarters of the way from 0° to 180°.

More topics
SAT Math skills
Linear Equations in One VariableLinear Equations in Two VariablesLinear FunctionsLinear InequalitiesSystems of Linear EquationsEquivalent ExpressionsNonlinear Equations and SystemsNonlinear FunctionsRatios, Rates, Proportions, and UnitsPercentagesOne-Variable DataTwo-Variable DataProbabilitySample Statistics and Margin of ErrorEvaluating Statistical ClaimsRight Triangles and TrigonometryArea and VolumeLines, Angles, and Triangles