Polygons • Topic 2 of 3

Interior and Exterior Angles of Polygons

Interior Angles of a Polygon: The angles inside a polygon formed by two adjacent sides are called interior angles.

Formula for Sum of Interior Angles: For a polygon with \(n\) sides:

\[ \text{Sum of interior angles} = (n - 2) \times 180^\circ \]

Each Interior Angle of a Regular Polygon:

\[ \text{Each interior angle} = \frac{(n - 2) \times 180^\circ}{n} \]

Exterior Angles of a Polygon: An exterior angle is formed by extending one side of a polygon. It is supplementary to the adjacent interior angle.

Important Properties:

  • The sum of exterior angles of any polygon (taken one at each vertex) is 360°
  • Each exterior angle of a regular polygon = \(\frac{360°}{n}\)
  • Interior angle + Exterior angle = \(180°\) (they form a linear pair)

Relationship Table:

Polygon (n sides)Sum of Interior AnglesEach Interior Angle (Regular)Each Exterior Angle (Regular)
Triangle (3)180°60°120°
Quadrilateral (4)360°90°90°
Pentagon (5)540°108°72°
Hexagon (6)720°120°60°
Octagon (8)1080°135°45°
Interior and Exterior Angles of PolygonsInterior∠Exterior∠Angle FormulasnInt. SumEach Int.∠Ext.∠3180°60°120°4360°90°90°5540°108°72°6720°120°60°81080°135°45°Sum of ALL exterior angles= 360° (always, for any polygon)
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Worked Example
Find the sum of interior angles of a hexagon.
Solution- Hexagon has \(n = 6\) sides - Sum = \((n - 2) \times 180° = (6 - 2) \times 180° = 4 \times 180° = 720°\) - **Answer:** 720° *Example 2: Find the measure of each interior angle of a regular octagon. Solution: - Octagon has \(n = 8\) sides - Sum of interior angles = \((8 - 2) \times 180° = 6 \times 180° = 1080°\) - Each interior angle = \(\frac{1080°}{8} = 135°\) - **Answer:** 135° *Example 3: The sum of interior angles of a polygon is 1440°. How many sides does it have? Solution: - \((n - 2) \times 180° = 1440°\) - \(n - 2 = \frac{1440°}{180°} = 8\) - \(n = 8 + 2 = 10\) - **Answer:** 10 sides (decagon)

Key Points

  • Sum of interior angles = \((n-2) \times 180°\)
  • Each interior angle (regular) = \(\frac{(n-2) \times 180°}{n}\)
  • Sum of exterior angles = \(360°\) (for any polygon)
  • Each exterior angle (regular) = \(\frac{360°}{n}\)
  • Interior and exterior angles are supplementary: \(I + E = 180°\)
  • ---
Tap an option to check your answer0 / 4
Q1.The sum of the interior angles of an $n$-gon is:
Explanation: $(n-2)\times180^\circ$.
Q2.The sum of the exterior angles of any polygon is:
Explanation: Always $360^\circ$.
Q3.Each exterior angle of a regular $n$-gon is:
Explanation: $\tfrac{360^\circ}{n}$.
Q4.The interior and exterior angle at a vertex sum to:
Explanation: $180^\circ$.