An Overview of Polygons and Their Characteristics

Polygons are 2-dimensional shapes with straight sides and a closed shape. They must have a minimum of 3 sides and none of their sides can intersect. We will discuss the various types of polygons and methods for calculating their area and angles.

What Defines a Polygon?

A polygon is defined as a 2-dimensional shape with the following traits:

• All sides are straight
• There are at least 3 sides
• The shape is closed (first and last sides connect)
• No sides intersect

Examples of polygons include triangles, squares, rectangles, and more.

Components of Polygons

The key components of a polygon include sides, vertices, interior angles, exterior angles, and diagonals. These can be demonstrated in the diagram below:

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