The diameter of a circle is 33 cm . Find its area to the nearest whole number.

To find the area of a circle, you can use the formula \( A = \pi r^2 \), where \( r \) is the radius. Since the diameter is 33 cm, the radius \( r \) is half of that, which is 16.5 cm. Plugging that into the formula gives: \[ A \approx 3.14 \times (16.5)^2 \approx 3.14 \times 272.25 \approx 854.34 \] Rounding to the nearest whole number, the area is approximately 854 cm². A fun fact about circles: Ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians and Babylonians, had a keen understanding of circles and their properties long before modern mathematics formalized these concepts. They used practical methods to solve everyday problems, like land division and structure construction, making circles a key element in their architectural toolkit! In addition to geometry, circles are everywhere in the real world—from the wheels on your bicycle to the way planets orbit the sun! Understanding circles helps engineers design everything from roller coaster tracks to the roundabouts that help traffic flow smoothly. So next time you see a circle, remember it's not just a shape; it's a fundamental part of our universe!