Math Problem Statement

The diagram shows part of a regular polygon. Each interior angle is 162°. Find the number of sides of the polygon.

Solution

To find the number of sides nn of a regular polygon given that each interior angle is 162°, we can use the formula for the interior angle of a regular polygon:

Interior angle=(n2)×180n\text{Interior angle} = \frac{(n - 2) \times 180^\circ}{n}

Step 1: Set up the equation

Since we know the interior angle is 162°, we can set up the equation:

(n2)×180n=162\frac{(n - 2) \times 180}{n} = 162

Step 2: Solve for nn

  1. Multiply both sides by nn to eliminate the fraction: (n2)×180=162n(n - 2) \times 180 = 162n

  2. Distribute 180 on the left side: 180n360=162n180n - 360 = 162n

  3. Move all terms involving nn to one side: 180n162n=360180n - 162n = 360

  4. Simplify: 18n=36018n = 360

  5. Divide by 18: n=20n = 20

Conclusion

The polygon has 20 sides.

Would you like further details or have any questions?


Here are five related questions for further exploration:

  1. How would the solution change if each interior angle was 150°?
  2. What is the formula for the exterior angle of a regular polygon?
  3. Can a polygon have an interior angle of 90°? If so, what shape would it be?
  4. How can we determine the sum of interior angles of a polygon with 20 sides?
  5. What would be the measure of each exterior angle of this polygon?

Tip: The exterior angle of a regular polygon can be easily calculated by dividing 360° by the number of sides nn.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Polygon Geometry
Regular Polygons
Interior Angles

Formulas

Interior angle of a regular polygon = (n - 2) * 180 / n

Theorems

Polygon Angle Sum Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10