7/27/2014 Derivation of the formula for the area of a regular polygon - Math Open Reference

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Area of a regular polygon - derivation
This page describes how to derive the formula for the area of a regular polygon by
breaking it down into a set of n isosceles triangles, where n is the number of sides.
As shown below, a regular polygon can be broken down into a set of congruent
isosceles triangles. In this case the hexagon has six of them.
If we can calculate the area of one of the triangles we can multiply by n to find the total
area of the polygon.
Given the side length s
If we look at one of the triangles and draw a line from the apex to the midpoint of the
base it will form a right angle. Let the length of this line be h. The base of the triangle is
s, the side length of the polygon.
The whole angle at the apex is dependent on the number of sides n:
So the angle t is half that, which simplifies to
We know that the tan of an angle is opposite side over adjacent side, so
Rearranging to solve for h:
The area of any triangle is half the base times height, so
Which simplifies to
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7/27/2014 Derivation of the formula for the area of a regular polygon - Math Open Reference
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Finally since have n triangles, multiply by n:
Given the radius r
The radius of a regular polygon is the distance from the center to any vertex. In the
figure below the leg of the isosceles triangle is a radius r of the polygon. We add a
perpendicular h from the apex to the base. In this case, let t be the whole angle at the
apex.
From the figure we see that
The area of any triangle is half the base times height, and since x is already half the
base:
Substituting x,h:
Using the double angle 1 trig identity we get
The whole angle 2t at the apex is dependent on the number of sides: n
Substituting this for 2t:
Finally, there are n triangles in the polygon so
Given the apothem a
The apothem of a regular polygon is a line from the center to the midpoint of a side,
which it meets at right angles. In the figure below, the apothem is labelled a.
7/27/2014 Derivation of the formula for the area of a regular polygon - Math Open Reference
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So the angle t is half that, which simplifies to
We know that the tan of an angle is opposite side over adjacent side, so
Transposing we solve this for s
The area of any triangle is half the base times height, so
Which simplifies to
Finally since have n triangles, multiply by n:
Related polygon topics
General
Polygon general definition
Quadrilateral
Regular polygon
Irregular polygon
Convex polygons
Concave polygons
Polygon diagonals
Polygon triangles
Apothem of a regular polygon
Polygon center
Radius of a regular polygon
7/27/2014 Derivation of the formula for the area of a regular polygon - Math Open Reference
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Incircle of a regular polygon
Incenter of a regular polygon
Circumcircle of a polygon
Parallelogram inscribed in a quadrilateral
Types of polygon
Square
Diagonals of a square
Rectangle
Diagonals of a rectangle
Golden rectangle
Parallelogram
Rhombus
Trapezoid
Trapezoid median
Trapezium
Kite
Inscribed (cyclic) quadrilateral
Inscribed quadrilateral interior angles
Inscribed quadrilateral area
Inscribed quadrilateral diagonals
Area of various polygon types
Regular polygon area
Irregular polygon area
Rhombus area
Kite area
Rectangle area
Area of a square
Trapezoid area
Parallelogram area
Perimeter of various polygon types
Perimeter of a polygon (regular and irregular)
Perimeter of a triangle
Perimeter of a rectangle
Perimeter of a square
Perimeter of a parallelogram
Perimeter of a rhombus
Perimeter of a trapezoid
7/27/2014 Derivation of the formula for the area of a regular polygon - Math Open Reference
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Perimeter of a kite
Angles associated with polygons
Exterior angles of a polygon
Interior angles of a polygon
Relationship of interior/exterior angles
Polygon central angle
Named polygons
Tetragon, 4 sides
Pentagon, 5 sides
Hexagon, 6 sides
Heptagon, 7 sides
Octagon, 8 sides
Nonagon Enneagon, 9 sides
Decagon, 10 sides
Undecagon, 11 sides
Dodecagon, 12 sides