Math Puzzle for May 10, 2024

Chords can cause discordances, chords can create harmony

Parallel chords of unequal length are drawn within a circle.
The chords are separated by a perpendicular distance d of 5.13743334 units.
The longer chord has a length of 24 units.
The shorter chord has a length of 20 units.
Find the area A of the circle.

A = ______ square units

The first correct answer sent to [email protected] wins a gift card worth much ice cream at Tucker’s Ice Cream of Alameda.

Last week’s winner was Madeleine Canavese, a graduating senior at Alameda High School, who calculated that A = 503.

Jeff Smith is a former Math teacher and a retired US Navy Lieutenant Commander. Reach him at [email protected].