N regular polygons with E edges each meet at a point with no intervening space. Show that N=(2E)/(E-2), E=(2N)/(N-2). Explain the following: Using the result given above, show that the only possibilities are E=3,4,6.

Marcelo Maxwell

Marcelo Maxwell

Answered question

2022-09-25

Regular polygons meeting at a point
N regular polygons with E edges each meet at a point with no intervening space. Show that N = 2 E E 2 E = 2 N N 2 .
I did this part considering that the internal angles must add up to 2 π, i.e. ( 1 2 E ) π × N = 2 π. I am unable to explain the following:
Using the result given above, show that the only possibilities are E = 3 , 4 , 6

Answer & Explanation

Karli Moreno

Karli Moreno

Beginner2022-09-26Added 7 answers

Step 1
If E > 6 then your second equation tells you something impossible about N.
EDIT: Perhaps this was too subtle, so here are the details.
Suppose E > 6. Then by the second equation in the question,
2 N / ( N 2 ) > 6, 2 N > 6 N 12, 4 N < 12, N < 3.
Step 2
But if N regular polygons meet at a point with no intervening space, then N 3, so we have a contradiction to our assumption that E was greater than 6.
So, E 6.
Also, there are no polygons with fewer than 3 edges, so E 3.
Well, that doesn't leave very many values of E, does it? And E = 5 leads to N = 10 / 3, which is absurd.
So, the only possibilities are E = 3 , 4 , 6.

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