Polygon Test: Identify Shapes by Number of Sides
Quick, free geometry quiz on shape names by sides. Instant results.
This polygon test helps you identify and name polygons by their number of sides, from triangles to nonagons. Use it to check gaps before a test, compare convex and concave shapes, and build speed. Keep going with polygon practice, dive deeper on sides of a heptagon, or widen your review with a quick geometric shapes quiz.
Study Outcomes
- Identify Polygon Types -
Recognize and name polygons by their number of sides - from triangles and squares to hexagons and nonagons - to accurately identify polygon shapes.
- Analyze Interior Angles -
Calculate and compare the sum of interior angles using key formulas, reinforcing your understanding in this polygon properties quiz.
- Distinguish Regular vs. Irregular Polygons -
Apply criteria for equal sides and angles to classify polygons as regular or irregular in various geometry quiz polygons scenarios.
- Classify Polygons by Attributes -
Use side length, vertex arrangement, and symmetry to group and differentiate polygons quickly during timed polygon quiz questions.
- Evaluate Shape Characteristics -
Assess and justify your reasoning when selecting the correct polygon name, sharpening decision-making skills in every polygon quiz challenge.
Cheat Sheet
- Polygon Naming by Side Count -
Understanding how to identify polygon shapes starts with knowing their side-based names: triangles (3 sides), quadrilaterals (4 sides), pentagons (5 sides), and so on up to nonagons (9 sides) and beyond. A handy mnemonic is "Tasty Quiches Please Make Every Friday," helping you recall Triangle, Quadrilateral, Pentagon, Hexagon, Heptagon. This foundation is essential for any polygon quiz or polygon quiz questions focusing on shape identification.
- Sum of Interior Angles Formula -
For any n-sided polygon, the sum of its interior angles is (n - 2) × 180°, so a hexagon's interior angles add to (6 - 2)×180°=720°. This formula, cited by universities like MIT OpenCourseWare, lets you quickly verify angle totals on your polygon properties quiz. Practicing this in sample problems ensures confidence when those tricky interior-angle questions appear.
- Exterior Angle Theorem -
In any simple polygon, the sum of the exterior angles is always 360°, which means each exterior angle in a regular n-gon measures 360°/n. For instance, in a regular octagon, each exterior angle is 360°/8=45°, as shown in geometry resources from Khan Academy. This theorem is a staple of geometry quiz polygons and helps you identify shapes by their turning angles.
- Diagonal Count Formula -
The number of diagonals in an n-sided polygon is given by n(n - 3)/2, so a nonagon has 9×6/2=27 diagonals. Verified by sources like Wolfram MathWorld, this formula lets you tackle "identify polygon shapes" questions that ask for diagonals without drawing the figure. Remembering this quick computation will boost your speed during timed polygon quiz questions.
- Regular vs. Irregular Polygons -
Regular polygons have all sides and interior angles equal, while irregular ones do not, a distinction emphasized by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Recognizing regularity helps you predict symmetry properties and calculate area more easily, often using the formula A = (1/4)n s² cot(π/n) for regular n-gons. Mastering this contrast will sharpen your skills on any polygon properties quiz.