Have you ever tried to solve a puzzle, only to realize that you don’t know the name of the shape you’re looking for? It’s easy to get caught up in the details, but sometimes it’s the fundamentals that elude us. So let’s start with the most basic of shapes: the polygon. We all know the names of the most common polygons like triangles, rectangles, and squares. But what about a five-sided polygon? What’s that called?
A five-sided polygon is a rare species, and chances are most of us don’t give much thought to its name. These shapes seem to be less celebrated than their four or six-sided siblings. But just because they’re not as common doesn’t mean they’re not important. In fact, they appear throughout nature and in many areas of design and architecture. Knowing the name of this shape can make a big difference in our understanding of the world around us.
So, what is a five-sided polygon called? It’s called a pentagon. It might sound familiar, even if you can’t quite place it. You may have heard of it in the context of the Pentagon building in Washington D.C. or in geometry class when studying regular polygons. Knowing the name of this shape is just the first step in understanding and appreciating its unique properties. So, let’s dig deeper into what makes a pentagon so special!
Identifying Geometric Shapes
Geometry is the branch of mathematics that deals with the study of shapes, sizes, and positions of objects in space. It is a fascinating field that has fascinated mathematicians for centuries and continues to inspire scientists and engineers to this day. One of the basic concepts in geometry is the identification of different shapes.
- Point: A point is an exact location or position in space. It is represented by a dot and has no size or shape of its own.
- Line: A line is a straight path that extends infinitely in two directions. It is represented by a straight line with two arrowheads and has no thickness or width.
- Angle: An angle is a figure formed by two rays that share a common endpoint, or vertex. It is measured in degrees or radians and can be acute, obtuse, or right.
- Triangle: A triangle is a three-sided polygon with three angles. It can be classified as acute, obtuse, or right, depending on the size of its angles.
- Polygon: A polygon is any closed shape with three or more straight sides. It can be classified as regular or irregular, depending on whether all its sides and angles are equal.
These are just a few examples of the many shapes and figures that can be found in geometry. By understanding these basic concepts and learning to identify different shapes, you can start to explore the fascinating world of geometry and the many applications it has in our daily lives.
Naming Polygons
Throughout history, humans have been fascinated by shapes. From Ancient Greeks to modern-day mathematicians, polygons have been studied and named. A polygon is a closed shape with straight sides.
- A polygon with three sides is called a triangle
- A polygon with four sides is called a quadrilateral
- A polygon with five sides is called a pentagon
- A polygon with six sides is called a hexagon
- A polygon with seven sides is called a heptagon
- A polygon with eight sides is called an octagon
- A polygon with nine sides is called a nonagon
- A polygon with ten sides is called a decagon
These polygons can be classified as regular, where all sides and angles are equal, or irregular, where none of the sides or angles are equal.
The study of naming polygons falls under the branch of mathematics called geometry. The names of polygons are derived from the Greek language.
| Number of Sides | Polygon Name | Example Image |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Triangle |  |
| 4 | Quadrilateral |  |
| 5 | Pentagon |  |
| 6 | Hexagon |  |
| 7 | Heptagon |  |
| 8 | Octagon |  |
| 9 | Nonagon |  |
| 10 | Decagon |  |
Knowing the names of polygons is not only essential for understanding geometry, but it also enables us to communicate and classify the shapes we encounter in the world around us.
Classification of Polygons
Polygons are two-dimensional geometric shapes that are composed of connected line segments that make up a closed shape. They are classified depending on their number of sides and angles. Here are the most common classifications of polygons:
- Triangle: Three-sided polygon
- Quadrilateral: Four-sided polygon
- Pentagon: Five-sided polygon
- Hexagon: Six-sided polygon
- Heptagon: Seven-sided polygon
- Octagon: Eight-sided polygon
- Nonagon: Nine-sided polygon
- Decagon: Ten-sided polygon
Each polygon is named according to the number of sides it has. A polygon with five sides is called a pentagon.
Properties of a Pentagon
A pentagon has 5 vertices, 5 sides, and 5 interior angles. To calculate the sum of the interior angles of a pentagon, we can use the formula:
Sum of interior angles = (n - 2) * 180
Where n represents the number of sides. In the case of a pentagon, n is equal to 5:
Sum of interior angles = (5 - 2) * 180 = 540 degrees
Since a pentagon has an odd number of sides, there is no line of symmetry that divides the shape into two symmetrical parts. A regular pentagon has all sides and angles of equal length and measure, while an irregular pentagon has sides and angles of different lengths and measures.
| Regular Pentagon | Irregular Pentagon |
|---|---|
 |
 |
A pentagon can be inscribed or circumscribed in a circle. An inscribed pentagon is a pentagon that is drawn inside a circle in such a way that all of its vertices touch the circle. A circumscribed pentagon is a pentagon that is drawn around a circle in such a way that all of its sides are tangent to the circle.
Knowing the properties and classifications of polygons can help us solve geometric problems and create complex shapes in various fields such as architecture, engineering, and design.
Regular vs Irregular Polygons
When it comes to polygons, two main categories exist: regular and irregular. What distinguishes these two categories from one another is the properties of their sides and angles.
- Regular Polygons: A regular polygon is a polygon in which all sides have the same length and all angles have the same measure. Examples of regular polygons include equilateral triangles, squares, and regular pentagons.
- Irregular Polygons: An irregular polygon is a polygon in which the sides and angles are not all congruent. Examples of irregular polygons include rectangles, rhombuses, and trapezoids.
While regular polygons have a certain symmetry and predictability to them due to their congruent sides and angles, irregular polygons allow for more variation in shape and size.
Regular Polygons
Regular polygons have some unique characteristics compared to irregular polygons. The most notable feature of regular polygons is their symmetry. Due to the congruent sides and angles, the symmetry of a regular polygon is easily recognizable. For example, a regular pentagon has five congruent sides and five congruent angles, and each line of symmetry bisects the angles at their vertices.
Another important fact about regular polygons is that their interior angles all add up to a multiple of 180 degrees. For example, in a regular hexagon, each angle measures 120 degrees, and there are a total of 720 degrees in the hexagon.
Irregular Polygons
Irregular polygons, by definition, do not have congruent sides or angles. This gives them a unique shape and also makes them more difficult to work with mathematically. However, many common objects in our daily lives are irregular polygons, such as stop signs and road signs.
One important property of irregular polygons is that their interior angles still add up to a multiple of 180 degrees, just like regular polygons. However, unlike regular polygons, the angles in an irregular polygon are not all congruent, which makes it more difficult to calculate the measures of the angles.
| Polygon | Number of Sides | Angle Sum |
|---|---|---|
| Triangle | 3 | 180 degrees |
| Quadrilateral | 4 | 360 degrees |
| Pentagon | 5 | 540 degrees |
| Hexagon | 6 | 720 degrees |
While regular polygons and irregular polygons have their own unique properties, both types can be used in a variety of different contexts and situations, from architecture and art to mathematics and engineering.
Properties of Triangles and Quadrilaterals
Geometry is a fascinating field of study that deals with shapes, sizes, and measurements of objects. One of the fundamental concepts in geometry is understanding the properties of different polygons. In this article, we will focus on discussing two of the most common types of polygons – triangles and quadrilaterals – and their properties.
The Five-Sided Polygon
A five-sided polygon is called a pentagon. It is a closed shape that has five sides, five vertices, and five angles. Each angle in a regular pentagon measures 108 degrees, and all angles add up to 540 degrees.
Here are some notable properties of pentagons:
- It is a convex polygon, which means all its interior angles are less than 180 degrees.
- It has five lines of symmetry that run through its center point.
- The area of a regular pentagon can be calculated using the formula: A = 1/4 (5 + √5)a², where ‘a’ represents the length of one of its sides.
Properties of Triangles
A triangle is a three-sided polygon that has three vertices and three angles. Here are some key properties of triangles:
- The sum of the interior angles of a triangle always equals 180 degrees.
- A triangle can be classified based on the length of its sides and the measure of its angles.
- A scalene triangle has all three sides of different lengths and all three angles of different measures.
- An isosceles triangle has two sides of equal length and two equal angles.
- An equilateral triangle has three equal sides and three equal angles, each measuring 60 degrees.
Properties of Quadrilaterals
A quadrilateral is a four-sided polygon that has four vertices and four angles. Here are some notable properties of quadrilaterals:
- The sum of the interior angles of a quadrilateral always equals 360 degrees.
- A quadrilateral can be classified based on the length of its sides and the measure of its angles.
- A square is a special type of quadrilateral that has four equal sides and four right angles.
- A rectangle is a quadrilateral that has two pairs of opposite, parallel sides and four right angles.
- A trapezoid is a quadrilateral that has one pair of opposite, parallel sides and two non-parallel sides.
Conclusion
Understanding the properties of polygons is essential in geometry and can serve as the foundation for more advanced topics. Triangles and quadrilaterals are two of the most fundamental polygons that we come across in our daily lives, and knowing their properties can help us solve problems related to shapes and sizes.
| Polygon | Number of Sides | Number of Angles |
|---|---|---|
| Pentagon | 5 | 5 |
| Triangle | 3 | 3 |
| Quadrilateral | 4 | 4 |
So next time you come across a pentagon, triangle, or quadrilateral, you can impress your friends and family with your knowledge of their properties!
Polygons in Real-Life Applications
Polygons are closed geometric shapes with straight sides and angles. They come in different sizes and shapes and have real-life applications that impact our daily lives. Here are some examples:
1. Architecture: Architects use polygons in designing buildings. They create various shapes like triangles, quadrilaterals, and polygons in different configurations to give a building its shape and stability.
2. Cartography: Maps are full of polygons. They use different polygons to represent shapes of land masses like states, towns, and cities. The way the polygons are arranged can also represent the terrain, elevation, and physical features of the land.
3. Art and Design: Many artworks and designs use polygons and their shapes to create patterns and designs. For instance, Islamic art uses complex polygons to create intricate geometric patterns that fill the space without overlapping.
4. Video Games and Graphics: Polygons are widely used in creating digital worlds in video games. Game designers use different polygons to create character models, environments, and virtual objects.
5. Jewelry Design: Jewelry designers use polygons to create different shapes, such as stars, squares, and diamonds. They combine and arrange these polygons to create unique jewelry designs.
The Hexagon
One specific polygon that has a significant impact on our daily lives is the hexagon. The hexagon is a six-sided polygon shape with straight sides and angles. It is a unique shape that has applications in various fields:
- Biology: Bees use hexagons in building honeycomb hives. The hexagonal shape is the most efficient shape that requires the least amount of wax to hold the most honey. Engineers use hexagonal shapes to construct honeycomb structures for their lightness and durability.
- Engineering: The hexagon shape is widely used in engineering applications. It is used in designing nuts and bolts to prevent them from stripping or rounding off. The hexagonal shape provides more points of contact between the wrench and the bolt, thereby increasing grip and preventing slipping.
- Manufacturing: The hexagon shape is used in manufacturing processes, such as cutting and drilling. Engineers use hexagonal drill bits for better grip and precise drilling.
The hexagon’s unique strength and efficiency make it a popular shape in various fields, from architecture to engineering, biology to manufacturing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, polygons are geometric shapes that have real-life applications. They have different shapes, sizes, and configurations that impact our daily lives. The hexagon, a six-sided polygon, is a unique shape that has significant applications in various fields. Its strength and efficiency make it a popular shape in different contexts.
Construction of polygons using Geometric tools
Polygons are closed figures that have at least three sides. They are constructed using geometric tools such as a ruler and compass. A polygon with five sides is known as a pentagon, but what about a polygon with five sides that are not all equal? In this article, we will explore the answer to that question and more.
What is a 5 sided figure called?
A polygon with five sides that are not equal is called an irregular pentagon. This is different from a regular pentagon which has five equal sides and angles of 108 degrees. Irregular pentagons have five different side lengths and five different angles.
Construction of polygons using Geometric tools
- Start by drawing a straight line segment with your ruler.
- Place the point of your compass at one end of the line segment and draw an arc that crosses the line segment.
- Without changing the width of your compass, place the point at the other end of the line segment and draw another arc that intersects the first arc.
- Draw a straight line between the two intersection points of the arcs, creating a triangle.
- Repeat these steps with the last point of the triangle to create a 5-sided figure.
This process can also be used to create other polygons with different numbers of sides, simply by adjusting the number of times you repeat the steps.
Table of Polygon Names
| Number of Sides | Name | Example Image |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Triangle |  |
| 4 | Quadrilateral |  |
| 5 | Pentagon |  |
| 6 | Hexagon |  |
| 7 | Heptagon |  |
| 8 | Octagon |  |
Now that you know how to construct polygons using geometric tools, you can explore and create shapes with different numbers of sides and angles.
FAQs about What is a 5 Sided Figure Called
1. What is a 5 sided figure called?
A 5 sided figure is called a pentagon.
2. How many sides does a pentagon have?
A pentagon has 5 sides.
3. What is the difference between a pentagon and a hexagon?
A pentagon has 5 sides while a hexagon has 6 sides.
4. What is the sum of the interior angles of a pentagon?
The sum of the interior angles of a pentagon is 540 degrees.
5. Can a pentagon be regular and irregular?
Yes, a pentagon can be a regular pentagon or an irregular pentagon.
6. What are some real-world examples of pentagons?
Some real-world examples of pentagons include home plate in baseball, the shape of some traffic signs, and the Pentagon building in Washington DC.
7. How can I draw a pentagon?
To draw a pentagon, start by drawing a circle. From there, draw a line that goes through the center of the circle. Then draw 4 more lines that divide the circle into 5 equal parts. Connect the points where the lines intersect to form the pentagon.
Closing Thoughts
Now that you know what a 5 sided figure is called, you can impress your friends and family with your knowledge! Whether you’re talking about a regular or an irregular pentagon, or using a pentagon in your drawings or real-life examples, you can feel confident knowing you’re using the correct terminology. Thanks for reading and be sure to visit again for more interesting facts!