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How many diagonals can be constructed from one vertex of an n-gon? State your answer in terms of n and, of course, justify your answer.

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User Cicakman
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1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:


The \ total \ number \ of \ distinct \ diagonals \ in \ a \ polygon \ with \ n \ sides= (n * (n - 3))/(2)

Explanation:

A diagonal is defined in geometry as a line connecting to two non adjacent vertices.

Therefore, the minimum number of sides a polygon must have in order to have a diagonal n - 3 sides as the 3 comes from the originating vertex and the other two adjacent vertices

Given that the polygon has n sides, the number of diagonals that can be drawn from each of those n sides gives the total number of diagonals as follows;

Total possible diagonals = n × (n - 3)

However, half of the diagonals drawn within the polygon are the same diagonals drawn in reverse. Therefore, the total number of distinct diagonals that can be drawn in a polygon is given as follows;


The \ total \ number \ of \ distinct \ diagonals \ in \ a \ polygon \ with \ n \ sides= (n * (n - 3))/(2)

User Kuza Grave
by
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