Polygon and its Classification

We will learn about polygon and its classification.

A paper represents a plane surface. When we doodle with a pencil on it without lifting out or without using a ruler, some drawings are made which are called curves.

Curves which begin and end at the same point are called closed curves.

Curves which begin and end at the same point but do not cross themselves are called simple closed curves.

Curves which begin and end at different points are called open curves.


Definition of Polygon:

A polygon is a simple closed curve made up of straight line segments only.

Definition of Polygon

The adjoining figure is a polygon.

(i) closed

(ii) bounded by five line segments AB, BC, CD, DE and AE.

Also, it is clear from the given polygon that:

(i) the five line segments AB, BC, CD, DE and AE intersect at their end points.

(ii) two line segments, with a common vertex, are not collinear i.e. the angle at any vertex is not 180°.

Parts of a polygon:

(i) Line segments forming a polygon are called sides of the polygon.

(ii) The point where two sides of a polygon meet is called the vertex of the polygon.

(iii) The line segment containing two non-adjacent vertices is called the diagonal of the polygon.

(iv) The angle formed at the vertices inside the closed figure are called interior angles.

Note: The number of sides in a polygon is equal to the number of vertices.


Classification of polygons:

Polygons are classified according to the number of sides or vertices they have. 

Classification of Polygons


Diagonal of a polygon:

A line segment connecting any two non-consecutive vertices is called the diagonal of a polygon.


Some examples showing the diagonal of different polygons:


In the adjoining figure AC and BD are the two diagonals

Rectangle has Two Diagonals



In the adjoining figure AD, FC, EB, BF, DB, FD, CA, EC and AE are the nine diagonals.

Diagonal of a Polygon

The formula for finding the number of diagonals of a polygon is [n(n - 3)]/2, where 'n' is the number of sides.

Note: The polygon triangle has no diagonals.


Some examples showing the sides, vertices and diagonals of different polygons:


In the adjoining figure AB, BC and CA are the three sides; A, B and C are the three vertices and there is no diagonal.

Polygon - Triangle

In the adjoining figure AB, BC, CD and DA are the four sides; A, B, C and D are the four vertices and AC and BD are the two diagonals.

Polygon - Quadrilateral



In the adjoining figure AB, BC, CD, DE and EA are the five sides; A, B, C, D and E are the five vertices and AC, BD, EB, DA, and CE are the five diagonals.

Polygon - Pentagon

Polygons

Polygon and its Classification

Terms Related to Polygons

Interior and Exterior of the Polygon

Convex and Concave Polygons

Regular and Irregular Polygon

Number of Triangles Contained in a Polygon

Angle Sum Property of a Polygon

Problems on Angle Sum Property of a Polygon

Sum of the Interior Angles of a Polygon

Sum of the Exterior Angles of a Polygon






7th Grade Math Problems 

8th Grade Math Practice 

From Polygon and its Classification to HOME PAGE




Didn't find what you were looking for? Or want to know more information about Math Only Math. Use this Google Search to find what you need.



New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. Ask a Question or Answer a Question.




Share this page: What’s this?

Recent Articles

  1. Patterns in Numbers | Patterns in Maths |Math Patterns|Series Patterns

    Dec 13, 24 01:32 AM

    Complete the Series Patterns
    We see so many patterns around us in our daily life. We know that a pattern is an arrangement of objects, colors, or numbers placed in a certain order. Some patterns neither grow nor reduce but only r…

    Read More

  2. Patterns in Math | Missing Number | Counting Numbers | Worksheets

    Dec 13, 24 12:31 AM

    Finding patterns in math is very important to understand the sequence in the series. We need to find the exact missing number that from the group of numbers. The counting numbers may be counting

    Read More

  3. Concept of Pattern | Similar Patterns in Mathematics | Similar Pattern

    Dec 12, 24 11:22 PM

    Patterns in Necklace
    Concept of pattern will help us to learn the basic number patterns and table patterns. Animals such as all cows, all lions, all dogs and all other animals have dissimilar features. All mangoes have si…

    Read More

  4. 2nd Grade Geometry Worksheet | Plane and Solid Shapes | Point | Line

    Dec 12, 24 10:31 PM

    Curved Line and Straight Line
    2nd grade geometry worksheet

    Read More

  5. Types of Lines |Straight Lines|Curved Lines|Horizontal Lines| Vertical

    Dec 09, 24 10:39 PM

    Types of Lines
    What are the different types of lines? There are two different kinds of lines. (i) Straight line and (ii) Curved line. There are three different types of straight lines. (i) Horizontal lines, (ii) Ver…

    Read More

Polygons - Worksheets

Worksheet on Polygon and its Classification

Worksheet on Interior Angles of a Polygon

Worksheet on Exterior Angles of a Polygon