Polygons | types of polygons | What is a polygon? | for kids

# triangle, # Quadrilateral, # Pentagon, # Hexgon, # Heptagon, # Octagon, # Nonagon, # Decagon

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What is a Polygon?

• A polygon is a flat, two-dimensional shape with straight sides that are fully closed. This means all the sides connect up to form a shape with no gaps. Polygons can have any number of sides, but they must have at least three. Some common examples of polygons include triangles, squares, and pentagons.

Types of Polygons

• Polygons come in many different shapes and sizes. Here are some of the most common types

Triangle

• A polygon with three sides. Triangles can be classified into different types based on their sides and angles, such as equilateral, isosceles, and scalene triangles.

Quadrilateral

• A polygon with four sides. Examples include squares, rectangles, and trapezoids.

Pentagon

• A polygon with five sides. The most famous pentagon is the shape of the building that houses the U.S. Department of Defense.

Hexagon

• A polygon with six sides. Hexagons are often seen in nature, like in honeycombs made by bees.

Heptagon

• A polygon with seven sides. This shape is less common but still interesting!

Octagon

• A polygon with eight sides. A common example is a stop sign.

Nonagon

• A polygon with nine sides. This shape is quite rare.

Decagon

• A polygon with ten sides.

Fun Facts About Polygons

Regular vs. Irregular

• Polygons can be regular or irregular. A regular polygon has all sides and angles equal, like a square or an equilateral triangle. An irregular polygon has sides and angles of different lengths and sizes.

Convex vs. Concave

• If all the interior angles of a polygon are less than 180 degrees, it is called a convex polygon. If one or more interior angles are greater than 180 degrees, it is called a concave polygon.

Naming Polygons

• The names of polygons are derived from Greek numbers. For example, “pentagon” comes from the Greek word “pente,” meaning five.

Why Are Polygons Important?

• Polygons are everywhere in our daily lives! They are used in art, architecture, engineering, and even in nature. Understanding polygons helps us to understand the world around us better and can be a lot of fun to explore.