Polygon Characteristics Study Guide

Definition

A polygon is a closed figure made up of line segments. Each line segment is called a side, and each endpoint of a side is a vertex.

Types of Polygons

There are different types of polygons based on the number of sides they have:

• Triangle: A polygon with 3 sides.
• Quadrilateral: A polygon with 4 sides.
• Pentagon: A polygon with 5 sides.
• Hexagon: A polygon with 6 sides.
• Heptagon: A polygon with 7 sides.
• Octagon: A polygon with 8 sides.
• Nonagon: A polygon with 9 sides.
• Decagon: A polygon with 10 sides.

Properties of Polygons

Some important properties of polygons include:

• Interior Angles: The sum of the interior angles of an n-sided polygon is given by the formula (n-2) * 180 degrees.
• Exterior Angles: The sum of the exterior angles of any polygon, whether convex or concave, is always 360 degrees.
• Regular Polygon: A polygon with all sides and angles equal.
• Irregular Polygon: A polygon with sides and/or angles that are not equal.

Practice Questions

1. How many sides does a hexagon have?
2. What is the sum of the interior angles of a pentagon?
3. Define a regular polygon.

Answers

1. A hexagon has 6 sides.
2. The sum of the interior angles of a pentagon is 540 degrees.
3. A regular polygon has all sides and angles equal.