Polygon Calculator

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Polygon Calculator

The Polygon Calculator is a versatile tool designed to help you with various calculations related to polygons. To use this calculator effectively, please follow the instructions outlined below.

Input Fields Instructions

1. Number of Sides:

   Enter the number of sides that the polygon has, using the input field labeled “Number of Sides”. The acceptable range for this input is between 3 and 12 sides. Make sure that the number is an integer, as fractions or decimals will not be accepted.

2. Side Length (meters):

   Next, input the length of one side of the polygon in meters in the field labeled “Side Length (meters)”. The minimum acceptable length is 0.1 meters. You can input numbers with one decimal place.

3. Polygon Type:

   Select the type of polygon by choosing either “Regular Polygon” or “Irregular Polygon” from the dropdown list labeled “Polygon Type”. This is a necessary step to proceed with the calculations, although certain results like area and apothem are based on the polygon being regular.

Understanding Result Fields

Once you have filled in the input fields and selected the polygon type, the calculator will provide you with several calculated results, each with different aspects of the polygon:

1. Perimeter:

   The perimeter of the polygon is calculated by multiplying the number of sides by the length of each side, presented in meters with two decimal places.

2. Interior Angle:

   This result gives you the interior angle of the polygon, which is computed by the formula ((numberOfSides – 2) * 180) / numberOfSides and is shown in degrees with one decimal point.

3. Exterior Angle:

   The exterior angle is calculated using the formula 360 / numberOfSides, and the result is displayed in degrees with one decimal place.

4. Area:

   The area is determined using the formula (numberOfSides * pow(sideLength, 2) * 1/(4 * tan(pi/numberOfSides))), which accurately gives the area in square meters for regular polygons, with two decimal places.

5. Apothem:

   The apothem, which applies only to regular polygons, is calculated using the formula sideLength / (2 * tan(pi/numberOfSides)), and the result is displayed in meters, precise to two decimal places.

With this guide, you should be able to efficiently use the Polygon Calculator to obtain necessary data about polygons. Ensure all inputs are accurate and within the required parameters for the best results.