Calculating Number of Sides in an n-gon with an Average Angle of 175°

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The discussion centers on calculating the number of sides, n, in a polygon (n-gon) with an average interior angle of 175 degrees. The formula used is \(\frac{(n-2) \times 180^\circ}{n}\), which represents the average interior angle for any polygon. Participants highlight that the polygon may not be regular or convex, but the average angle remains a constant factor in determining n. The conclusion drawn is that the average angle of 175 degrees indicates a high number of sides, specifically n = 72.

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The interior angles of an n-gon have an average measure of 175 degrees. Calculate n.
 
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Hi blahblah,

Welcome to MHB!

If you have a polygon with $n$ sides then each angle can be expressed as [math]\frac{(n-2) \times 180^\circ}{n}[/math]. Can you use this formula and the given information to solve for $n$?

Jameson
 
Jameson said:
Hi blahblah,

Welcome to MHB!

If you have a polygon with $n$ sides then each angle can be expressed as [math]\frac{(n-2) \times 180^\circ}{n}[/math]. Can you use this formula and the given information to solve for $n$?

Jameson

The implication of the question is that the polygon is not necessarily regular (possibly not even convex) - though given the nature of the question the average of the interior angles of an n-gon is probably an invariant.

In fact it is trivial to show that your formula is the average interior angle for an arbitrary convex n-gon, so that is all-right then!

CB
 
Last edited:
CaptainBlack said:
The implication of the question is that the polygon is not necessarily regular (possibly not even convex)

CB

I don't see that but trust that you know this better than I do. From the level of the other thread the OP made here it seems more likely to me that this is a straightforward question, but I should consider irregular polygons in the future.

EDIT: Ah I think I see your point now. The word "average" could definite imply that the polygon isn't regular although I think it might just be badly worded.
 
Last edited:
I have often seen the word n-gon used to describe a regular polygon or isogon, i.e., a polygon with all sides and all angles equal.

However, when I saw the term "average measure" for the interior angles, I assumed then a convex polygon, not necessarily regular, as the same number of sides results either way.
 

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