Maths
MathsNumber, algebra and geometry: connected foundations30 min★★ difficulty

Chapter 8: Triangles and polygons

Every polygon angle sum can be derived by dividing the shape into triangles.

Part of your national curriculum
  • Geometry and measures: Derive and use the sum of angles in a triangle and use it to deduce the angle sum in any polygon

Lesson overview

What you'll learn in this lesson

Derive and use the sum of angles in a triangle and use it to deduce the angle sum in any polygon

Key learning points

  • Triangle sum
  • Polygon formula
  • Regular polygons

This lesson at a glance

  • 30 minutes
  • 17 parts to scroll through
  • 3 quick checks
  • Marked quiz at the end
  • Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses

Words to know

deriveanglestrianglededucepolygon

Scroll down — the lesson carries on below

Part 1 of 17 · Discover6%
1

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Part 1 of 17

Chapter 8: Triangles and polygons illustrationVisual introduction

Picture this

Chapter 8: Triangles and polygons

Every polygon angle sum can be derived by dividing the shape into triangles.

In a nutshell

Derive and use the sum of angles in a triangle and use it to deduce the angle sum in any polygon

2

Learning cycle

Part 2 of 17

Learning cycle 1 of 2

Part 1 · Triangle sum

A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.

3

Explore the idea

Part 3 of 17

Learn

Triangle sum

The interior angles of a triangle total 180°. Exterior angles of any polygon total 360° when one is taken at each vertex.

4

Reset break

Part 4 of 17

Pause

That's sitting 1 of 4 done

Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.

Stop here for now
5

Explore the idea

Part 5 of 17

Learn

Polygon formula

An n-sided polygon divides into n−2 triangles from one vertex, so its interior angle sum is (n−2)×180°. A hexagon totals 720°.

6

Quick check

Part 6 of 17

Quick check

What is the interior angle sum of a pentagon?

7

Quick check

Part 7 of 17

Quick check

A triangle has angles 48° and 67°. Find the third.

8

Reset break

Part 8 of 17

Pause

That's sitting 2 of 4 done

Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.

Stop here for now
9

Learning cycle

Part 9 of 17

Learning cycle 2 of 2

Part 2 · Regular polygons

A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.

10

Explore the idea

Part 10 of 17

Learn

Regular polygons

In a regular polygon all interior angles are equal, so divide the total by n. A regular hexagon has interior angle 720÷6=120°.

11

Quick check

Part 11 of 17

Quick check

Each interior angle of a regular hexagon is:

12

Reset break

Part 12 of 17

Pause

That's sitting 3 of 4 done

Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.

Stop here for now
13

Challenge round

Part 13 of 17

Game · Sort it

Which of these are true?

Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.

True

Not true

14

Challenge round

Part 14 of 17

Game · Fill the gaps

Finish the sentences

Choose the word that belongs in each gap.

The interior ____ of a triangle total 180°.

Exterior angles of any ____ total 360° when one is taken at each vertex.

15

Challenge round

Part 15 of 17

Game · Recall cards

What is the interior angle sum of a pentagon?

Card 1 of 4

16

Mastery quiz

Part 16 of 17

Marked quiz

End of lesson quiz: Chapter 8: Triangles and polygons

4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.

  1. 1. What is the interior angle sum of a pentagon?

  2. 2. A triangle has angles 48° and 67°. Find the third.

  3. 3. Each interior angle of a regular hexagon is:

  4. 4. What do the angles in a triangle always sum to?

17

Lesson round-up

Part 17 of 17

Lesson round-up

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    Derive and use the sum of angles in a triangle and use it to deduce the angle sum in any polygon

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