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Circumference

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Circumference is essentially a synonym for perimeter: for a given closed curve in the plane, it is the distance one travels in a complete circuit of the curve. The term circumference is most frequently used to refer to the distance around a circle, though it may refer to the distance around any smooth curve, while the term perimeter is typically reserved for polygons.

In a circle of radius r and diameter d = 2r, the circumference C is given by C = \pi \cdot d = 2\pi \cdot r. Indeed, the constant \pi (pi) was originally defined to be the ratio of the circumference of a circle to the length of its diameter.


See also

Want to learn how to tackle those tough MATHCOUNTS and AMC counting and probability problems? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Counting & Probability by David Patrick.
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