This is one of a perfect example of the testing of
HIGHER ORDER REASONING SKILL what exactly the GMAT exam measures on. So use your skill of mathematical reasoning rather wasting time in determining the exact value. Let us see how to reasonably approach this question.
GIVEN DATA: Regular Pentagon inscribed in circle.
FIND: Is the perimeter (P) of pentagon greater than 26 centimeters?
ie.,
Is P > 26 ?This can be considered in another way as to find, Is the side (S) of a Pentagon greater than \(\frac{26}{5}\) centimeters?
ie.,
Is S > 5.2 ?STATEMENT 1: The area of the circle is 16\(\pi\) square centimeters. So, Radius of circle (R) = 4 sq.cm
Since a regular pentagon of side (S) is inscribed in a circle of radius (R = 4), the side of a pentagon (S) should be less than \(\frac{1}{5}\)th of the circumference of circle.
Circumference of circle = 2\(\pi\)R = 2\(\pi\)(4) = 8\(\pi\)
Therefore, S < \(\frac{1}{5}\)(8\(\pi\))
ie., S < \(\frac{176}{35}\)
S < 5.03 (appx)
Therefore, S is NOT GREATER THAN 5.2, which is a definite NO to the question.
Hence
STATEMENT 1 - SUFFICIENTSTATEMENT 2: The length of each diagonal of the pentagon is less than 8 centimeters.Let us consider a regular hexagon of maximum diagonal 8 centimeters.
For GMAT, We should know that a regular hexagon is made of equilateral triangles on joining the opposite vertices. therefore the length of the longest diagonal for a regular hexagon will be 2 times the side of a regular hexagon.
So, 2*(Side of the regular hexagon) = 8
So, Side of the regular hexagon = 4
So, Perimeter of the regular hexagon will be 4*6 = 24
If you notice that we have considered a regular hexagon (six sided polygon) with a maximum diagonal of 8 centimeters itself gives perimeter just 24. So it is obvious that a Regular pentagon (five sided polygon) with diagonal less than 8 centimeters will definitely have perimeter less than 24, is a clear indication that the perimeter of a regular pentagon is NOT GREATER THAN 26 centimeter, which is a definite NO to the question.
Still not convinced ?Let us consider a regular quadrilateral (square) of maximum diagonal 8 centimeters.
So, Side of the square will be \(\frac{8}{\sqrt{2\)
So, Perimeter of the square will be 4\(\frac{8}{\sqrt{2\), P = 18.5 (appx)
It is evident, as regular quadrilateral with maximum diagonal 8 centimeter posses perimeter of 18.5 (appx) where a regular hexagon of maximum diagonal posses perimeter of 24, then a regular pentagon of
diagonal less than 8 centimeter will have perimeter between 18.5 and 24 is a clear indication that the perimeter of a regular pentagon is NOT GREATER THAN 26 centimeter, which is a definite NO to the question.
Hence
STATEMENT 2 - SUFFICIENT Answer Option: D