Understanding the Relationship between Angles & Diagonals in a Polygon

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the relationships between angles and diagonals in polygons, specifically focusing on the case of pentagons. Participants explore the mathematical properties and hypotheses related to diagonals in polygons and seek to clarify these concepts for a presentation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the specific relationships between angles and diagonals in polygons, seeking clarity on the topic.
  • Another participant suggests starting the discussion with pentagons and expresses a desire to investigate the angles and diagonals for a presentation.
  • A mathematical hypothesis is presented regarding the number of diagonals \(D_n\) in a convex polygon with \(n\) sides, formulated as \(D_n=\frac{n(n-3)}{2}\) for \(n \geq 3\), with a proof by induction outlined.
  • There is a repeated inquiry about the relationships between angles and diagonals, indicating a potential lack of clarity or focus in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on the specific relationships between angles and diagonals, and the discussion remains open with multiple viewpoints and inquiries present.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not fully resolve the assumptions regarding the relationships between angles and diagonals, nor does it clarify the implications of the mathematical proof provided.

highmath
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
There a relationships between angles to diagonals in a polygon?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Welcome to MHB!

Do you have any particular polygons in mind?
 
Can we start with pentagon?
What can I say on the pentagon itself, the angles of it, and diagonal?
I do a presentation and the topic of it is as above: "relationships between angles and diagonal". I want to show the topic and investigate it.
I don't get a mark on the presentation. It is only for adult course in the center... (community center)
So what do you say?
Thanks for any help...
 
A convex polygon with \(n\) sides has \(n\) vertices, and a diagonal can be drawn from each vertex to all but 2 of the other vertices. Iterating over all vertices, and observing the diagonals will be drawn twice, we may hypothesize that the number of diagonals \(D_n\) is given by:

$$D_n=\frac{n(n-3)}{2}$$ where \(3\le n\)

Observing the base case \(D_3=0\) is true, for a triangle has no diagonals, we may use as our inductive step, the addition of another vertex. From this new vertex, diagonals may be drawn to all but \(n-2\) of the other vertices and a new diagonal may now be drawn between the two existing vertices on either side of the new vertex, for a total of \(n-1\) new diagonals. Hence:

$$D_{n+1}=\frac{n(n-3)}{2}+n-1=\frac{n(n-3)+2(n-1)}{2}=\frac{n^2-n-2}{2}=\frac{(n+1)(n-2)}{2}=\frac{(n+1)((n+1)-3)}{2}$$

We have derived \(D_{n+1}\) from \(D_n\), thereby completing the proof by induction.
 
highmath said:
There a relationships between angles to diagonals in a polygon?
...and at how many other sites did you post this?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K