Area, Perimeter & Radius of Circles & Polygons

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationships between the radius, area, and perimeter of regular polygons and circles. Participants explore mathematical expressions that relate these quantities and seek to understand constants that emerge as the number of sides increases.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, Scott, notes a relationship between the radius squared and the area of regular polygons, suggesting that as the number of sides increases, the constant approaches 3.14.
  • Scott questions whether there is an equation that can determine the value of these constants for polygons, including circles, which he considers as polygons with an infinite number of sides.
  • Another participant, Malay, provides a formula for the area of a regular polygon with an even number of sides, expressed as Area = (1/2) * number of sides * side squared * sin(2π/n).
  • Malay asserts that the same formula applies to polygons with an odd number of sides, interpreting "side squared" as Scott's "radius" squared.
  • Scott seeks clarification on the variable 'n' in the area formula, which Malay later confirms stands for the number of sides.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the relationships between the radius and area of polygons, but the discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific equations that can determine the constants for polygons and circles.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about the relationships and constants, as well as the definitions of terms like "apothum." The mathematical steps leading to the constants are not fully resolved.

scott_alexsk
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This has been bugging me for a while and I thought that you guys might know an answer. Awhile ago I realized that there is a direct relationship between the radius (as in the distance between a corner and the center) squared and the area of any regular polygon with the same number of sides. For example the radius of any square, squared and multiplied by 2 equals the area. But also, for any triangle the radius squared times approx. 1.3 equals the area.

By finding this for several polygons, I found what I expected, the constant for each polygon as the sides increase approaches 3.14. I also found that there is a constant between the diameter of a polygon and the perimeter which also approaches 3.14 as the number of sides increases on the regular polygon.

My question is, according to these relationships is there a way to determine the value of any of these constants for polygons including a circle (3.14) (assuming that it is a polygon with a infinite number of sides) using an equation? Is there any equation you can think of that shows this? Perhaps there is an equation that determines this from the relation of the radius and the apothum (sp)?

Thanks
-scott
 
Last edited:
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scott_alexsk said:
My question is, according to these relationships is there a way to determine the value of any of these constants for polygons including a circle (3.14) (assuming that it is a polygon with a infinite number of sides) using an equation? Is there any equation you can think of that shows this?
If the regular polygon has even no. of sides then
Area= (1/2)*no. of sides* side squared* sin(2pi/n)

Keep Smiling
Malay
 
That is also true when the polygon has an odd number of sides.

("side squared" means Scott's "radius" squared)
 
Area= (1/2)*no. of sides* radius squared* sin(2pi/n)

What's n stand for?

Thanks for all of the posts
-scott
 
scott_alexsk said:
Area= (1/2)*no. of sides* radius squared* sin(2pi/n)

What's n stand for?

Thanks for all of the posts
-scott
n stands for the number of sides.

Keep Smiling
Malay
 

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