AREA AND PERIMETER OF THE FORMED
POLYGON AROUND AN N-GON
SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULLFILLMENT
OF MATHEMATICS INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT 9
SUBMITTED BY: DEGALA, JOSHUA
EMMANUEL A.
SUBMITTED TO: BANAGUI, HEATHER G.
9-NEON
S.Y. 2023-2024
Mathematical Situation
The mathematical situation involves creating a regular n -gon and then. After
that we circumscribe the same polygon around the whole figure. Next, constructing
triangles on each side of the polygon that was circumscribed on forming a polygon
around the figure and then we repeat the process.
To start, imagine a regular triangle.
Figure 1.0 Equilateral Triangle
Afterwards, circumscribe another triangle over the whole figure.
Figure 1.1 Equilateral Triangle circumscribed by another equilateral triangle
Then, construct triangles on each side of the original regular triangle, giving
us our 1st iteration.
Figure 1.2 Original Equilateral Triangle surrounded by triangles, 1st iteration
In conclusion, we repeat this process to give us our iterations.
Furthermore, we will be using the same construction for other n -gons.
From the given iterations we will be exploring the perimeter and area of the
formed polygon of the n -gon at the k th layer. Specifically, we will be exploring the
perimeter and area of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 – gons from the first layer (k =1) until the fourth
layer(k =4 ).
Limitations
In the construction of triangles, the lines of the triangle will be bisecting the
angle formed by the circumscribed polygon.
Figure 2.0 Zoomed in 1st iteration showing the angles
Statement of Problem
What is the perimeter of the formed polygon around the previous triangle at
the n stage at each k th layer.
th
What is the area of the formed polygon around the previous triangle at the nth
stage at each k th layer.
Declaration of Variables
k – number of iterations
n – number of sides the starting polygon has
a – side of the starting regular polygon
x n ,k – side of the formed polygon
Pn , k – the Perimeter of the current n and k
An , k – the Area of the current n and k
Exploration
n=3 ;
k =1
In order to look for the area and perimeter of the situation, look for the length
of one of the sides of the formed polygon, x n ,k .
Figure 3.0 1st iteration, highlighted area
To find for the measurement of x 3 ,k , use trigonometric functions. In order for
trigonometric functions to apply, we must first have a right triangle. This will be
formed by constructing a line that goes perpendicular to the side of original n -gon
that will intersect one of the points of the formed polygon.
x 3 ,1
Figure 3.1 Zoomed in 1st iteration, line going through the formed triangle
adjacent side
cos θ=
hypotenuse
a
2
cos 30 °=
x 3 ,1
a
cos 30 ° ¿
2 x 3 ,1
¿
a
2 x n ,k =
cos 30 °
a
cos 30 °
x n ,k =
2
a
x n ,k =
2 cos 30 °
Knowing one of the sides of the formed regular polygon around the original n
– gon allows us to calculate its perimeter by multiplying the measurement of one of
the sides to the total number of sides.
P3 ,1 =x3 , 1 (6)
a
P3 ,1 = (6)
2 cos 30 °
6a
P3 ,1 =
2 cos 30 °
3a
P3 ,1 =
cos 30°
k =2
To calculate for P3 ,2 , use trigonometric functions to look for the length of the side of the
circumscribed polygon, to be used in the calculation for x 3 ,2.
To use trigonometric functions, we need a right triangle shown below.
60°
adjacent side
cos θ=¿ ¿
hypotenuse
a
2
cos 60 °=
hypotenuse
a
cos 60 °=
2 hypotenuse
2 hypotenuse cos 60 °=a
a
2 hypotenuse=
cos 60 °
a
cos 60°
hypotenuse=
2
a
hypotenuse=
2cos 60 °
To get the measurement of the full side of the circumscribed triangle we must
a
multiply by 2
2cos 60 °
a
∗2
2cos 60 °
2a
¿
2cos 60°
a
¿
cos 60 °
This shows that the measurement of the length of one of the sides of the
a
circumscribed triangle is equal to
cos 60 °
a
cos 60 °
Using this calculated measurement, we can now calculate the value of x 3 ,2 through
trigonometric functions
x 3 ,2
30°
2a
cos 60 °
2a
cos 60 °
2
cos 30 °=
x 3 ,2
2a
cos 60 °
cos 30 ° ( x 3 ,2 )=
2
2a
cos 30 °( x 3 ,2 )=
2 cos 60 °
a
cos 30 °( x 3 ,2 )=
cos 60 °
a
cos 60 °
x 3 ,2=
cos 30 °
a
x 3 ,2=
cos 60 ° ¿ ¿
The perimeter as stated will be the length of one side of the polygon multiplied by the total
amount of sides
a
P3 ,2 =
cos 60° ¿ ¿
6a
P3 ,2 =
cos 60° ¿ ¿
k =3
Just like the previous stage, first calculate for the length of the side of the circumscribed
polygon using trigonometric functions, the right triangle is shown below.
60°
2a
cos 60 °
Using cos calculate for the hypothesis or
Multiply the length of the side of the formed polygon by the total number of sides of he formed polygon
to find the perimeter of the formed polygon.
P3 ,3 =x3 , 3 (6)
2a
P3 ,3 = (6)
cos 30°
12 a
P3 ,3 =
cos 30°
k =4
Following the process of the previous stages we can calculate for the value
of x 3 ,4 .
x 3 ,4
4a
cos 30 °=
x 3 ,4
cos 30 ° ( x 3 ,4 )=4 a
4a
x 3 ,4 =
cos 30 °
Perimeter is same steps
P3 , 4=x 3 , 4 (6)
4a
P 3 , 4= (6)
cos 30 °
24 a
P 3 , 4=
cos 30 °
Conjecture:
n=4
x4 , 1
Perimeter
d
2
cos 22.5 °=
x4, 1
d
cos 22.5 ° (x 4 ,1)=
2
d
2
x 4 , 1=
cos 22.5 °
d
x 4 , 1=
2 cos 22.5 °
P4 ,1=x 4 , 1 ( 8 )
d
P4 ,1= ( 8)
2cos 22.5 °
4d
P4 ,1=
cos 22.5 °
8a
P4 ,1=
2cos 22.5 °
4a
P4 ,1=
cos 22.5 °
k =2
d
2
cos 22.5 °=
x4, 1
d
cos 22.5 ° (x 4 ,1)=
2
d
2
x 4 , 1=
cos 22.5 °
d
x 4 , 1=
2 cos 22.5 °
P4 ,1=x 4 , 1 ( 8 )
d
P4 ,1= ( 8)
2cos 22.5 °
4d
P4 ,1=
cos 22.5 °
8a
P4 ,1=
2cos 22.5 °
4a
P4 ,1=
cos 22.5 °
Pentagon
Hexagon
Heptagon
