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Pre-CalculusPre-Calculus66 views·Updated May 20, 2026·2 pages

Trigonometry Basics: Understanding Polygons

D
Demi Zenit@demizenit_ftbu

Circles and polygons have a special relationship when they're arranged... Show more

1
of 2
Area of an inscribed polygon is:
$A= \frac{1}{2} nr^2 \sin \frac{2\pi}{n}$
where r radius of circumscribed circle
n=number of sides

In any

Inscribed and Circumscribed Polygons

When a polygon sits inside a circle with all its vertices touching the circle, it's called an inscribed polygon. The area of such a polygon can be found using the formula: A=12nr2sin2πnA = \frac{1}{2}nr^2 \sin\frac{2\pi}{n}, where r is the radius of the circle and n is the number of sides.

A circumscribed polygon wraps around a circle with all its sides touching the circle at exactly one point. For these polygons, the area formula is: A=nr2tanπnA = nr^2 \tan\frac{\pi}{n}, where r is the radius of the inscribed circle.

For triangles specifically, you can find the radius of a circumscribed circle using r=abc4s(sa)(sb)(sc)r = \frac{abc}{4\sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}} where s = 12(a+b+c)\frac{1}{2}(a+b+c). Similarly, the radius of an inscribed circle in a triangle is r=s(sa)(sb)(sc)sr = \frac{\sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}}{s}.

Remember This! The sides of a regular polygon inscribed in a circle can be calculated using a=2rsinπna = 2r \sin\frac{\pi}{n} - this is super helpful when constructing or analyzing geometric shapes.

Circle measurements are also important to know: the circumference is $2πror or πd,andtheareais, and the area is πr^2or or \frac{1}{4}πd^2$. The center of an inscribed circle is equidistant from all sides of the circumscribed polygon, while the apothem of the circumscribed polygon equals the radius of the inscribed circle.

2
of 2
Area of an inscribed polygon is:
$A= \frac{1}{2} nr^2 \sin \frac{2\pi}{n}$
where r radius of circumscribed circle
n=number of sides

In any

Regular Polygons and Their Properties

Regular polygons have equal sides and equal angles, making them perfectly symmetrical. The center of a regular polygon is a special point that serves as the center for both its inscribed and circumscribed circles.

A radius of a regular polygon connects the center to any vertex, and is also the radius of the circumscribed circle. The apothem is the perpendicular distance from the center to any side, and equals the radius of the inscribed circle. Central angles form between two radii drawn to consecutive vertices.

You can find the area of any regular polygon using the formula Area=12ap\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2}ap, where a is the apothem and p is the perimeter. For example, a regular hexagon with an apothem of $5\sqrt{3}andaperimeterof60hasanareaof and a perimeter of 60 has an area of 150\sqrt{3}$ square units.

Cool Fact! The area of a circle circumscribed around a square $S_1$ is exactly twice the area of a circle inscribed within the same square $S_2$. This relationship shows the elegant proportions found in geometry.

The central angle in a regular polygon can be calculated by dividing 180° by the number of sides. This angle helps determine many other measurements, including the side length when given the radius.

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Pre-CalculusPre-Calculus66 views·Updated May 20, 2026·2 pages

Trigonometry Basics: Understanding Polygons

D
Demi Zenit@demizenit_ftbu

Circles and polygons have a special relationship when they're arranged to share key points. This topic explores how regular polygons can be inscribed inside circles or circumscribe around them, along with the formulas needed to calculate their dimensions and areas.

1
of 2
Area of an inscribed polygon is:
$A= \frac{1}{2} nr^2 \sin \frac{2\pi}{n}$
where r radius of circumscribed circle
n=number of sides

In any

Sign up to see the content. It's free!

  • Access to all documents
  • Improve your grades
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Inscribed and Circumscribed Polygons

When a polygon sits inside a circle with all its vertices touching the circle, it's called an inscribed polygon. The area of such a polygon can be found using the formula: A=12nr2sin2πnA = \frac{1}{2}nr^2 \sin\frac{2\pi}{n}, where r is the radius of the circle and n is the number of sides.

A circumscribed polygon wraps around a circle with all its sides touching the circle at exactly one point. For these polygons, the area formula is: A=nr2tanπnA = nr^2 \tan\frac{\pi}{n}, where r is the radius of the inscribed circle.

For triangles specifically, you can find the radius of a circumscribed circle using r=abc4s(sa)(sb)(sc)r = \frac{abc}{4\sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}} where s = 12(a+b+c)\frac{1}{2}(a+b+c). Similarly, the radius of an inscribed circle in a triangle is r=s(sa)(sb)(sc)sr = \frac{\sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}}{s}.

Remember This! The sides of a regular polygon inscribed in a circle can be calculated using a=2rsinπna = 2r \sin\frac{\pi}{n} - this is super helpful when constructing or analyzing geometric shapes.

Circle measurements are also important to know: the circumference is $2πror or πd,andtheareais, and the area is πr^2or or \frac{1}{4}πd^2$. The center of an inscribed circle is equidistant from all sides of the circumscribed polygon, while the apothem of the circumscribed polygon equals the radius of the inscribed circle.

2
of 2
Area of an inscribed polygon is:
$A= \frac{1}{2} nr^2 \sin \frac{2\pi}{n}$
where r radius of circumscribed circle
n=number of sides

In any

Sign up to see the content. It's free!

  • Access to all documents
  • Improve your grades
  • Join milions of students

Regular Polygons and Their Properties

Regular polygons have equal sides and equal angles, making them perfectly symmetrical. The center of a regular polygon is a special point that serves as the center for both its inscribed and circumscribed circles.

A radius of a regular polygon connects the center to any vertex, and is also the radius of the circumscribed circle. The apothem is the perpendicular distance from the center to any side, and equals the radius of the inscribed circle. Central angles form between two radii drawn to consecutive vertices.

You can find the area of any regular polygon using the formula Area=12ap\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2}ap, where a is the apothem and p is the perimeter. For example, a regular hexagon with an apothem of $5\sqrt{3}andaperimeterof60hasanareaof and a perimeter of 60 has an area of 150\sqrt{3}$ square units.

Cool Fact! The area of a circle circumscribed around a square $S_1$ is exactly twice the area of a circle inscribed within the same square $S_2$. This relationship shows the elegant proportions found in geometry.

The central angle in a regular polygon can be calculated by dividing 180° by the number of sides. This angle helps determine many other measurements, including the side length when given the radius.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

Most popular content in Pre-Calculus

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Origins and Dynamics of the Columbian Exchange

Analyze the ecological and economic motivations behind the initial transfer of goods, people, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds.

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AP US HistoryAP US History

Introduction to Early Cultural Interactions

Analyze the initial social and religious encounters between Europeans, Africans, and Indigenous peoples in the colonial Americas.

9th2,7730
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AP World HistoryAP World History

Origins of Ancient River Civilizations

Analyze the environmental factors and technological innovations that led to the rise of early states in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley.

9th3,1860
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AP US HistoryAP US History

Motivations for European Exploration

Analyze the economic, religious, and political factors that drove European powers to the Americas during the 15th and 16th centuries.

9th1,7780
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AP PsychologyAP Psychology

Foundations of Ethical Guidelines in Research

Practice the core principles of the APA ethical code including informed consent, debriefing, and the role of Institutional Review Boards.

9th1,3360
I
AP US HistoryAP US History

Introduction to Native American Societies

Examine the diverse social, political, and economic structures of North American indigenous groups prior to European contact.

9th1,1100
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AP BiologyAP Biology

Introduction to Biological Elements of Life

Practice identifying the essential elements including carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur that compose biological macromolecules.

9th1,7360
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AP US HistoryAP US History

Introduction to the Spanish Encomienda System

Explore the fundamental economic and social structures of the Spanish colonial system, focusing on the encomienda and the casta social hierarchy.

9th8890
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AP World HistoryAP World History

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Analyze the political and cultural transitions from the Roman Empire to the Byzantine Empire, focusing on the reign of Justinian I and his code.

9th1,6320

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.6/5App Store
4.7/5Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan SiOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha KlichAndroid user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

AnnaiOS user