Understanding Regular and Irregular Polygons
In this section, we explore the characteristics of regular and irregular polygons. A regular polygon is defined as a polygon that is both equiangular (all angles are equal) and equilateral (all sides are equal). For instance, a square qualified as a regular polygon because it maintains equal lengths for its sides and equal measure for its angles. In contrast, an irregular polygon does not possess these uniformities, meaning not all of its sides and angles are equal.
The discussion also addresses specific polygon examples: while squares and equilateral triangles are regular polygons, rectangles are classified as irregular even though they are equiangular. This pivotal distinction sets the foundation for understanding polygons in geometric terms, allowing students to classify and analyze various shapes through their properties.