Archimedes’s Method

Math 242 practice problems

Name: _________________

Learning Goals: Gain proficiency with programming in Mathematica. Develop and implement an algorithm to solve a mathematical problem, producing understandable results.

Your task: In class, we approximated π using polygons with 4, 8, 16, 32, ... sides. Now modify the code to produce approximations of π starting with an inscribed hexagon, and then repeatedly doubling the number of sides. That is, you will use inscribed polygons with 6, 12, 24, 48, ... sides. Produce both a table and a plot showing the accuracy of your approximations (like we did in class).

Due: Monday, Feb. 14, at 5:00pm (Moodle link)

Grading: Upload your solutions as a Mathematica notebook to the Archimedes’s Method assignment on the Moodle site for Math 242. If you successfully compute a series of approximation for π, you will earn a Satisfactory grade.

Need help? Review the notes from class, which are posed on the course web site. If you still need help, email Prof. Wright.