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polygon

noun

/ˈpɒlɪɡ(ə)n/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of polygon

A two-dimensional geometric shape that is bound by straight sides.
"The architect designed a building with a complex polygon-shaped facade."

Detailed meaning of polygon

The word "polygon" comes from Greek, meaning "many angles". A polygon can have three or more sides and angles, and the sides are typically straight lines. Polygons can be classified based on the number of sides they have. For example, a triangle has three sides, a quadrilateral has four sides, and a pentagon has five sides. If a polygon has more than ten sides, it is usually referred to as a "many-sided polygon" or simply as a "polygon".

There are different types of polygons such as regular polygons, which have all sides and angles equal, and irregular polygons, which do not have all sides and angles equal. The sum of the angles of a polygon with n sides is (n-2) x 180 degrees. Some examples of polygons are: the triangle, the rectangle, the square, the hexagon, the heptagon, the octagon and many more. Polygons are used in a variety of fields such as in cartography for representing geographical regions, in computer graphics and game design as a base for creating 2D models and animations, and in geometry as a fundamental concept for studying shapes and their properties.

Example sentences containing polygon

1. The park had a large polygon-shaped fountain in the center.
2. The students learned about different types of polygons in their geometry class.
3. The city map was divided into several polygons representing different districts.
4. The designer used a polygon pattern for the wallpaper in the bedroom.
5. The construction crew used a polygon-shaped template to create the curved walls.
6. The game involved matching polygons with different numbers of sides.

History and etymology of polygon

The noun 'polygon' derives its etymology from ancient Greek. It is a combination of two Greek words: 'poly,' which means 'many,' and 'gonia,' which translates to 'angle' or 'corner.' In ancient Greece, mathematicians and philosophers like Euclid used this term to describe two-dimensional geometric shapes that have many angles or corners formed by straight sides. The word 'polygon' aptly encapsulates the defining characteristic of these shapes, which is their angularity due to the straight sides. Over time, this Greek term made its way into Latin as 'polygonum' and eventually into modern English as 'polygon.' Today, it continues to represent a wide range of geometric shapes, from triangles and quadrilaterals to polygons with numerous sides, all sharing the common feature of straight sides and angular corners.

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Further usage examples of polygon

1. The artist used a polygonal style to create a unique portrait.
2. The software engineer developed an algorithm to calculate the area of irregular polygons.
3. The surveyor used a polygon map to mark the boundaries of the property.
4. The pattern on the carpet consisted of several overlapping polygons.
5. The brochure included a diagram of the site layout, with each building represented by a polygon.
6. In geometry class, we learned that a square is a type of polygon with four sides.
7. The artist incorporated various polygons into his abstract painting for visual interest.
8. Computer graphics often use polygons to approximate the surfaces of three-dimensional objects.
9. The game developer optimized the polygon count to make the game run smoothly.
10. In math, a polygon is defined as a closed shape with straight sides and angles.
11. Hexagons are polygons frequently found in nature, such as in honeycomb structures.
12. The architect used irregular polygons to design a building with a futuristic look.
13. A convex polygon has all its interior angles less than 180 degrees.
14. Concave polygons have at least one interior angle greater than 180 degrees.
15. Tessellation involves filling a plane with polygons so that there are no gaps.
16. A decagon is a polygon with ten sides, often used in advanced geometry problems.
17. Polygons with equal sides and angles are called regular polygons.
18. The graphic designer used simple polygons to create an intricate pattern.
19. In geography, polygons are used to define regions for spatial analysis.
20. The algorithm can calculate the area of any polygon, provided the coordinates are known.
21. Tracing paper helps students understand the properties of different polygons.
22. A polygon with three sides is known as a triangle, the simplest form of polygon.
23. Polygons can have an infinite number of sides but must be closed and two-dimensional.
24. Heptagons are seven-sided polygons that are less commonly seen in everyday objects.
25. The student's project involved creating a 3D model using 2D polygons for the skin.