Building Polygons

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3 sides 4 sides 5 sides 6 sides 6 sides

Not allowed

You have many squares and equilateral triangles all with the same side length. In this problem
we want to build polygons by putting the squares and triangles as shown in the upper
illustration. The illustration shows how we can build polygons with 3, 4, 5, or 6 sides.

But, you are not allowed to build polygons like the ones in the bottom illustration. If you could
put an elastic band around those polygons, there would be empty spaces.

Can you build polygons with 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 sides like the ones in the upper illustration?

Posted: December 11, 2007 Page 1 of 2

Copyright © 2007 ThinkFun Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Permission is granted for personal use only.
This puzzle may not be duplicated for personal profit.
Building Polygons [solution]
Home / Puzzles in Education / Hands On Puzzles / Grade 7-8 /

7 sides
8 sides

12 sides 9 sides

11 sides 10 sides

The solutions for the 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 11- and 12-sided polygons are shown in the illustration.

Posted: December 11, 2007 Page 2 of 2

Copyright © 2007 ThinkFun Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Permission is granted for personal use only.
This puzzle may not be duplicated for personal profit.