This picture is taken from a CD-ROM of photographs with activities for mathematics teaching. Published as Mathematical World in America and as Problem Pictures in the UK, Europe and Australasia.

Arcade art

This pattern is on the side of an arcade game machine.

Inside the big circle is a square. Inside that square is another circle. Inside that circle is another square . . . and so the pattern goes on and on.

Measure the diameters of the three largest circles. Use these measurements to figure out the diameters of the next three circles. When you have an answer, measure the diameters and see if you are right.

Does the pattern of circles really go on forever?

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