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#1 2012-10-21 00:44:53

Ronald
Guest

Geometry

Regular polygon's area can be calculated,other polygon's area can also be calculated using graph coordinates,but i have heard that polygon's area can be calculated using sides and external angles is it true?if it is what is the method?

#2 2012-10-21 01:42:54

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: Geometry

Hi;

See if you can get what you need from here:

http://www.mathwords.com/a/area_regular_polygon.htm


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#3 2012-10-21 01:59:48

Ronald
Guest

Re: Geometry

No,i have heard that there is a formula for irregular polygon's area too(using side lengths and exterior angles

#4 2012-10-21 02:13:20

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: Geometry


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#5 2012-10-21 02:19:18

zetafunc.
Guest

Re: Geometry

If you know what the polygon looks like, you can just split it up into triangles and use Heron's formula. If you have the right angles you can then apply things like the sine rule, cosine rule, etc. to find all the sides of the triangles you have split the polygon into.

#6 2012-10-21 02:33:05

Ronald
Guest

Re: Geometry

The second link's 3rd method was the one I was looking for ,thank you.

#7 2012-10-21 02:34:25

zetafunc.
Guest

Re: Geometry

Wow, that third method is really useful. And you really do only need the side lengths and angles!

#8 2012-10-21 02:36:17

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: Geometry

Hi Ronald;

You are welcome.


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#9 2012-10-21 03:34:12

Bob
Administrator
Registered: 2010-06-20
Posts: 10,053

Re: Geometry

hi Ronald,

I like to make pictures that simplfy problems.

If you have the coordinates of the points you can always box in and make triangles and rectangles.

area of polygon = area of box less the bits you have over.  see picture for example.

Bob


Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob smile

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