A polygon is any shape where all the sides are straight. Here are some examples of polygons:

However, the following shape is not a polygon, since it doesn't have all straight sides:

The corners of a polygon are called vertices, and the sides are called edges. For a polygon, the number of vertices always equals the number of edges.

Now, how many vertices does the polygon shown below have?

The vertices are the corners. The polygon has 5 vertices in total, as shown below.

FLAG

Which of the following is not a polygon?

EXPLANATION

A polygon is any shape where all the sides are straight.

The shape below has curved sides.

Therefore, III is not a polygon.

FLAG

Which of the following is not a polygon?

a
b
c
d
e

Which of the following is not a polygon?

a
b
c
d
e

How many edges does the polygon shown below have?

EXPLANATION

Edges are straight line segments that connect the vertices of a polygon.

The polygon has 7 edges in total, as shown below.

FLAG

How many vertices does the polygon shown above have?

a
$7$
b
$6$
c
$4$
d
$3$
e
$5$

How many edges does the polygon shown above have?

a
$5$
b
$4$
c
$7$
d
$8$
e
$6$

Polygons with a specific number of sides, or vertices, have special names.



Number of sides (or vertices) Name Shape
3 Triangle
4 Quadrilateral
5 Pentagon
6 Hexagon
7 Heptagon
8 Octagon
9 Nonagon
10 Decagon

Only one of the following is a heptagon, but which? Let's find out.

A heptagon has 7 vertices and 7 straight sides. Therefore, the answer is III.

Notice that shape I is not a polygon since it has a curved side. Shape II has 8 vertices, making it an octagon.

FLAG

What is the name of the polygon shown below?

EXPLANATION

The polygon has 4 vertices, as shown below.

The polygon also has 4 straight sides connecting its vertices.

Therefore, it's a quadrilateral.

FLAG

What is the name of the polygon shown above?

a
Quadrilateral
b
Triangle
c
Pentagon
d
Hexagon
e
Octagon

What is the name of the polygon shown above?

a
Quadrilateral
b
Pentagon
c
Hexagon
d
Heptagon
e
Octagon

Which of the following is a nonagon?

EXPLANATION

A nonagon has 9 vertices and 9 straight sides. Therefore, the answer is II.

Notice that shape I has 10 vertices, and shape III is not a polygon since it has a curved side.

FLAG

Which of the following is a hexagon?

a
b
c
d
e

Which of the following is an octagon?

a
b
c
d
e
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