Math Forum - Problem of the Week


Aim at This Target!

I have enjoyed reading your solutions to my shotgun target problems, so I have another one for you.

I'm constructing another target for long-range shooting. The target will have a six-inch diameter black bull's-eye, and concentric circles with diameters of 12", 18", and 24" respectively, to form alternating white and black bands. There is also a 24" square circumscribed about the outermost circle. Got it? Okay.

What is the area of the bull's-eye and what is the area of each of the white and black bands making up the target? (There are four areas to determine - the bull, two white bands, and one black band.)

While we're at it, what's the area between the 24" outer circle and the 24" square?

What do you notice about the relation between the area of each section and the band just outside it?

EXTRA: Now that you're warmed up, can you identify WHY the relation in the last question exists? (You might want to try some similar setups with targets of different sizes to see if that helps.)


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