- Find the areasof regularpolygonswith radius.
- Let the polygonshavemoreand moresides.
- See if a limit showsup in the data.
- Use similarityto generalizethe results.
The details:
Beginwith polygonshaving and sides,inscribedin a circlewith aradiusof.
Now imaginethat we continuedinscribingpolygonswith moreand moresides.It wouldbecomenearlyim-
possibleto tell the polygonfrom the circle.The tablebelowshowsthe resultsif we did this.
RegularPolygonsInscribedin a Circlewith Radius
Numberof sidesof polygon Areaof polygonAs the numberof sidesof the inscribedregularpolygonincreases,the area seemsto approacha “limit.”
This limit is approximately , whichis.
Conclusion:The area of a circlewith radius is.
Now we extendthis idea to othercircles.You knowthatall circlesare similarto eachother.