10.3Area of Regular Polygons
Quick Answer
Area of a regular polygon: A = ½aP, where a is the apothem (perpendicular distance from center to a side) and P is the perimeter. This formula comes from dividing the polygon into congruent triangles.
Essential Question
How does the apothem of a regular polygon serve the same role as the height in the triangle area formula?
Learning Goals
- 1Define apothem and identify it in a regular polygon.
- 2Apply the formula A = ½aP to find the area of a regular polygon.
- 3Use special right triangles to find the apothem.
- 4Find the area of regular hexagons, squares, and other regular polygons.
Key Vocabulary
Apothem
The perpendicular distance from the center of a regular polygon to one of its sides.
Regular polygon area formula
A = ½aP, where a is the apothem and P is the perimeter.
Center of a regular polygon
The point equidistant from all vertices of a regular polygon.
Full lesson content coming soon
Worked examples, guided practice problems, a workbook, quiz, and downloadable PDF resources will be added to this lesson in Phase 2. The learning goals and vocabulary above reflect the complete lesson scope.