Program: Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Mathematics

Course Code: Math 116

Subject: Abstract Algebra

Learning Module No. 5

Name Rating
Date of Submission Session

Topic: Polygons
Learning Outcomes: a. Exhibit competence in mathematical concepts and procedures.
b. Exhibit proficiency in relating mathematics to other curricular areas.
c. Manifest meaningful and comprehensive pedagogical content
knowledge (PCK) of mathematics.
d. Demonstrate competence in designing, constructing and utilizing
different forms of assessment in mathematics.
e. Demonstrate proficiency in problem-solving by solving and creating
routine and non-routine problems with different levels of complexity.
f. Use effectively appropriate approaches, method, and techniques in
teaching mathematics including technological tools.
g. Appreciate mathematics as an opportunity for creative work,
moments of enlightenment, discovery and gaining insights of the world.
References: Fraleigh, J. A First Course in Abstract Algebra. 7th ed.
Addison-Wesley, 2003.
Gallian, J. Contemporary Abstract Algebra. 9th ed.
Cengage Learning, 2017.
Gilbert, J, Gilbert, L. Elements of Modern Algebra. 7th ed.
Cengage Learning, 2009.
Herstein, I. Abstract Algebra. 3rd ed. Prentice Hall, 1996.

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 Discussion Proper:
We have studied the simplest polygon, which is the triangle. We have also earlier defined the polygons
a closed figure that is made up of segments, where each line segment intersects two other segments. The
intersection of the sides is only on the endpoints. In this section, we will take a look at other polygons,
like the square, the trapezoid, the octagon, etc.
The word ”polygon” comes from the Greek words ”poly” (which means many) and ”gon” which means
angle. Thus, a polygon has many angles. It also has sides (which are made up of the segments of the
polygon) and vertices (which are the points where the sides intersect).
Some examples of polygons are:

These are examples of figures that are not polygons.

A polygon is named using its vertices.

A polygon may be equilateral, equiangular, or regular. An equilateral polygon has allsides of equal
length. An equiangular polygon has angles that are all the same in measurement.

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 A regular polygon is both equilateral and equiangular. The following are examples of regular polygons:

5.1 Names of polygons

Polygons are named based on the number of its sides.

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5.1.1 Names of other polygons
Sides Name
6 hexagon
7 heptagon
8 octagon
9 nonagon
10 decagon
11 undecagon
12 dodecagon
n n-gon

Notice that polygon having n sides is called by the number of sides it has. So, a polygon with 15 sides
is called a 15-gon.
A polygon may either be concave or convex. A polygon is convex if each and every line segment drawn
between two points in the figure falls entirely inside the figure.
Here are examples of convex polygons:

Nottice that if you draw a line segment between any two points in the figure, the entire line segment
falls inside the polygon.
A polygon that is not convex is concave. There are some line segments that can be drawn that falls
outside of the figure.

Notice that the broken line falls both inside the figure and outside the figure.

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5.2 The sum of the angles of a polygon
5.2.1 Interior Angles
If we know the number of sides of a polygon, we can also know the sum of its interior angles.
Consider the following polygons.

The broken lines represent all possible diagonals drawn from one vertex to the rest of the other vertices.
The polygons are divided into triangles by the diagonals. Observe the number of triangles formed by the
diagonals:

ˆ For the triangle, which has 3 sides, no diagonals are possible, thus, only 1 triangle is formed.

ˆ For the pentagon, which has 5 sides, the diagonals form 3 triangles.

ˆ For the hexagon, which has 6 sides, the diagonals form 4 triangles.

ˆ For the heptagon, which has 7 sides, the diagonals form 5 triangles.

What do you observe?

Note that for the number of sides of a polygon, the triangles formed by the diagonals is 2 less than the
number of the sides of a polygon.
Recall that the sum of the measures of the interior angles of a triangle is 180°. We can multiply the
number of triangles formed by the diagonals by 180°. Thus, we can get the sum of the interior angles of a
polygon by getting the number of triangles formed by the diagonals.
The sum of the angles of a polygon
The sum of the measure of the interior angles of a polygon having n sides is

(n − 2)180◦

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Example
Find the sum of the interior angles of the following:

1. heptagon

2. dodecagon

3. 26-gon

Solution:

1. A heptagon has seven sides.

= (n − 2)180◦
= (7 − 2)180◦
= 5(180◦ )
= 900◦

2. A dodecagon has 12 sides.

= (12 − 2)180◦
= 10(180◦ )
= 1800◦

3. 26-gon
= (26 − 2)180◦
= 24(180◦ )
= 4, 320◦

Example
The hexagon ABCDEF has m∠A = 130◦ , m∠B = 100◦ , m∠C = 110◦ , m∠D = 145◦ , m∠E = 95◦ .
What is m∠F ?
Solution:
The hexagon has 6 sides. Thus, the sum of the measure of the interior angles is

= (6 − 2)180◦
= 4(180◦ )
= 720◦

The sum of the measures of the given angle is:

m∠A + m∠B + m∠C + m∠D + m∠E = 130◦ + 100◦ + 110◦ + 145◦ + 95◦ = 580◦
Thus m∠F = 720◦ − 580◦ = 140◦

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5.2.2 Exterior Angles
We can get the exterior angles by extending the sides of a polygon.

The interior angles are ∠A, ∠B, ∠C, and ∠D.

The exterior angles are ∠1, ∠2, ∠3, and ∠4.
The sum of all the angles - both interior and exterior - is 720◦ .
This is because:
∠1 + ∠A = 180◦
∠2 + ∠B = 180◦
∠3 + ∠C = 180◦
∠4 + ∠D = 180◦
We know that the sum of the interior angles is (4 − 2)180◦ = 360◦ . Thus,
720◦ − 360◦ = 360◦ .

The sum of the exterior angles of any polygon is 360◦ .

◦
The exterior angle of a regular n-sided polygon is 360
n
.

EXERCISE SET 5
Provide neat and complete solutions on a long bond paper or yellow pad. Use the same format given
in previous exercises.

1. Find the sum of the interior angles of the following polygons.

(a) nonagon
(b) heptagon
(c) 16-gon
(d) 25-gon
(e) 15-gon

2. Find the remaining interior angle of the following polygons.

(a) a quadrilateral with first 3 interior angles measuring 80◦ , 112◦ , and 127◦
(b) a pentagon with first 4 interior angles measuring 76◦ , 139◦ , 33◦ , and 115◦
(c) a hexagon with first 5 interior angles measuring 147◦ , 59◦ , 121◦ , 68◦ , and 154◦
(d) a heptagon with first 6 interior angles measuring 149◦ , 123◦ , 177◦ , 132◦ , 98◦ , and 112◦
(e) a nonagon with first 8 interior angles measuring 118◦ , 164◦ , 144◦ , 127◦ , 146◦ , 178◦ , 137◦ , and
112◦

3. Find the number of sides of a regular polygon if each exterior angle is:

(a) 45◦
(b) 51.43◦

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