The explanation on the screen is pretty straightforward.
What do you not understand?
BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course
Redeem
Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand
Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.
- 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
- 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
- 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
- 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
- 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
- TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
- 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
- OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
- Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
- MBA Admissions Consulting now available
- 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
- 200,000+ students served
- 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★
5.0
(559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start
then $127/mo
Geo question
Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving |
I got 36pi as well. I calculated the area of the semicircle, which is 32. After that, we have to add the area of the shaded cemicircle below the line, and subtract the area of the two cemicircles above the line.
32pi + 8pi - 4pi = 36pi
32pi + 8pi - 4pi = 36pi
That's the real problem with this question.resilient wrote:I think the confusion lies in the question of is this thing a circle or not?
On the actual GMAT, the question would clearly state that the big arc is a semi-circle. Without that explicit information, there's no way to solve the question.
Where is this question from?

Stuart Kovinsky | Kaplan GMAT Faculty | Toronto
Kaplan Exclusive: The Official Test Day Experience | Ready to Take a Free Practice Test? | Kaplan/Beat the GMAT Member Discount
BTG100 for $100 off a full course
This is from REA.
If they said it was a circle, I see to be getting an area of 144pi for the whole circle and 64 Pi for semi circle before factoring in the cut outs. I find the r to equal 12. Is that were I am off? Thanks.
If they said it was a circle, I see to be getting an area of 144pi for the whole circle and 64 Pi for semi circle before factoring in the cut outs. I find the r to equal 12. Is that were I am off? Thanks.
If they said the thing was a circle, then the area of the largest semi circle is just 1/2 the area of the circle (if it is so). The area is calculated with pi*r^2.
So, the largest semi circle is 1/2 * pi * 8^2 = 32pi (r = 8 because the entire length, diameter, is 16)
Subtract two identical semi circles of radius 2 = 2 * 1/2 * pi * 2^2 = 4pi
Add the single semicircle extending below the line, area = 1/2 * pi * 4^2 = 8pi.
As other posters had mentioned the shaded region = 32pi - 4pi + 8pi = 36pi if it is a true circle.
So, the largest semi circle is 1/2 * pi * 8^2 = 32pi (r = 8 because the entire length, diameter, is 16)
Subtract two identical semi circles of radius 2 = 2 * 1/2 * pi * 2^2 = 4pi
Add the single semicircle extending below the line, area = 1/2 * pi * 4^2 = 8pi.
As other posters had mentioned the shaded region = 32pi - 4pi + 8pi = 36pi if it is a true circle.
Ryan S.
| GMAT Instructor |
Elite GMAT Preparation and Admissions Consulting
www.VeritasPrep.com
Learn more about me
| GMAT Instructor |
Elite GMAT Preparation and Admissions Consulting
www.VeritasPrep.com
Learn more about me
How do you know that the diameter is 16?
BC = 8, and the other portions equal each other. I guess I am missing this point. Thanks.
BC = 8, and the other portions equal each other. I guess I am missing this point. Thanks.
"How do you know that the diameter is 16? "
AB = 4
BC = 8
CD = 4
4 + 8 + 4 = 16
Basically (if the question mentioned circles) ... this diagram is just a collection of semi-circles.
Start with the big semi-circle with the diameter of 16, and work your way from there.
AB = 4
BC = 8
CD = 4
4 + 8 + 4 = 16
Basically (if the question mentioned circles) ... this diagram is just a collection of semi-circles.
Start with the big semi-circle with the diameter of 16, and work your way from there.

















