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Angles in circles word problems

Practice word problems that involve thinking about angles as part of a circle.

Problem 1: Caterpillar

A caterpillar stands on her head.
How many degrees does the caterpillar need to turn to be upright?
degrees
A caterpillar with its head pointed straight down is labeled Before. A caterpillar with its head pointed straight up is labeled After.

Problem 2: Oven

If Arianna turns the stove dial 135, degrees to the right, what setting will the dial be on?
A stove knob is shaped like a circle with the arrow pointing to a specific setting. The settings are located around the knob as follows, starting at the top center and moving clockwise: off at the top center, warm about halfway between the top and right, low heat on the right, medium low about halfway between the right and bottom center, medium heat at the bottom center, medium high about halfway between the bottom center and left, and high heat on the left. The arrow currently points to off.

Problem 3: Directions

Melissa walks 3 blocks south. Then she turns 45, degrees right (clockwise) and walks 1 block.
A compass shows directions as follows: north is straight up, northeast is halfway between up and right, east is directly right, southeast is halfway between right and down, south is straight down, southwest is halfway between down and left, west is directly left, and northwest is halfway between left and up.
What direction does Melissa end up facing?

Problem 4: Pizza

A pizza is cut into 6 equal slices.
How many 1, degrees turns does it take to make 1 slice of pizza?
turns
A round pizza is divided into 6 equal sections meeting at the center.

Challenge problem: Clock

How many degrees does the hour hand on a clock turn between 7, colon, 00 AM to 10, colon, 00 AM?
degrees
A clock shows the short hand pointing to 7 and the long hand pointing to 12.

Want to join the conversation?

• The clock one was the hardest. Does anyone agree?
• I agree it is hard. I got confused
• Probably should have used a different term than "turns".
• For me the pizza one was hardest because I can't understand that. Anyone agrees?
• It's degrees per slice eeeezzz boi
(1 vote)
• i kinda don't get it but I went threw it because I tried my best!
• The clock problem is the one I found easiest except for the worm problem. Is this just me or...?
• honestly i found the clock problem to be the hardest
• this does not make any sense!!