Sun

7.2 degrees


Alexandria


Syene



Earth




Advanced Geometry Project

Mathematicians have been using solving problems using circles for hundreds of
years. The Greeks were among the most advanced when it came to making
mathematical calculations. In fact, it was a Greek mathematician who first
calculated the circumference of the earth. This mathematicians name was
Eratosthenes (276 BC-194 BC), and he was a scholar, poet, inventor and librarian.
Although he was Greek, at the time of his work Eratosthenes lived in the city of
Alexandria, Egypt. He heard reports of an unusual well in the city of Syene, directly
South of Alexandria. This well was very deep (some say it went all the way to the
center of the earth), and on the longest day of the year the reflection of the sun could
be seen on the water surface.
Eratosthenes reasoned that this meant that the sun was directly over the
well. On the same day, 5,000 stadia away (One stadium, or approximately 500 feet)
to the north of Alexandria, the sun made an angle of 7.2 degrees.
With only this information, and the same knowledge of geometry you have,
Eratosthenes was able to determine the circumference of the Earth.

Your assignment is to use the above diagram, and your knowledge of
circles and parallel lines, to determine the circumference of the earth in
stadia. You must also find the radius of the earth, and the major arc that is
formed between Alexandria and Syene. You MUST justify every step in your
process.





Steps for Success:


1. Label your picture with all the information you read in the given paragraph.



2. What is the angle at the bottom of the well at Syene? How do you know?







3. Use a formula you know to solve for the circumference of the earth. (List the
formula, and the parts you know.) You MUST show your work for this step to
get any credit.










4. Now that you have the circumference, what is the radius of the earth? (You
MUST show your work)








5. What is the length of the major arc that is formed by Syene and Alexandria?
(You MUST show your work)