Minimum area of an odd number-sided, equilateral polygon with side lengths of 1 unit.

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the minimum area of equilateral polygons with an odd number of sides, specifically those with side lengths of 1 unit. The area of the equilateral triangle, which is the polygon with the fewest sides in this category, is established as \(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4}\) square units. Participants assert that no equilateral polygon with an odd number of sides can have an area less than that of the equilateral triangle. The conversation emphasizes the geometric properties of these polygons without delving into formal proofs.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of equilateral polygons
  • Familiarity with basic geometric area calculations
  • Knowledge of polygon properties, specifically odd-sided polygons
  • Basic grasp of mathematical proofs and reasoning
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of equilateral polygons with odd numbers of sides
  • Explore geometric proofs related to polygon areas
  • Study the implications of side length on polygon area
  • Investigate the concept of non-self-intersecting polygons
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, geometry enthusiasts, and students studying polygon properties will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the area calculations of equilateral and odd-sided polygons.

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Suppose you look at all of the equilateral (non-self-intersecting)
polygons** with an odd number of sides, and each side length is
equal to 1 unit.

For examples, the polygon with the fewest number of sides in this group
is the equilateral triangle, and then the next one is an equilateral pentagon.

Has anyone thought about this?

The area of the equilateral triangle is \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{4} square units.Is the area of any of these certain polygons (beyond the equilateral triangle)

less than \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{4} square units?
Please, do not attempt any sort of a proof. The one I saw
(and did not fully digest), is about two and a half pages long.
And, to me, I couldn't see the motivations for using the
strategies in the proof.** These are not limited to regular polygons in general.
The equilateral triangle happens to also be regular.
 
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Since you don't want a proof I'll just say no!
 
biffboy said:
Since you don't want a proof I'll just say no!

From the problem statement, I would have (some type of past tense) gone with "yes."

I would have thought about the snake-like effect of the sides twisting around and what
I believed to be a decreasing net area.
 

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