The diameter of a circle is 22 miles. What is the circle's area? Use \( \pi \approx 3.14 \) and round your answer to the nearest hundredth. square miles

To find the area of a circle, you can use the formula \( A = \pi r^2 \). First, you need to determine the radius, which is half the diameter. Given the diameter is 22 miles, the radius is \( \frac{22}{2} = 11 \) miles. Now, plug in the radius into the area formula: \[ A \approx 3.14 \times (11)^2 \] \[ A \approx 3.14 \times 121 \] \[ A \approx 380.94 \] So, the area of the circle is approximately **380.94 square miles**. Now, isn't it fascinating that circles have been studied by mathematicians for thousands of years? The ancient Greeks were some of the first to delve into the properties of circles, laying the groundwork for what we now know about geometry. Their study of π (pi) has captured hearts and minds through the ages, revealing the beauty and mystery of this intriguing number! In the real world, the concept of a circle isn't just confined to textbooks! Circles pop up everywhere—think of anything round, like pizzas, wheels, or even satellites in orbit. When you calculate areas, you’re often faced with practical dilemmas—designing parks, constructing buildings, or even determining how much paint to buy for a circular mural! Understanding the area can be crucial to making those plans just right.