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I am trying to create my own proof that the sum of the interior angles in a regular polygon is $180(n - 2)$, where $n$ is the number of sides in the polygon. I have seen these proofs for this formula, and I have also seen this inductive proof for the formula. I'm trying to prove this by circumscribing a circle around a polygon. My question about this is, is this a possible way to prove that the sum of the interior angles of an $n$-gon is $180(n - 2)$? If it is, I have the "first" step completed, which is to circumscribe a circle around a polygon, but I don't know where to go from here. Can anyone help me with the proof if it's possible? Here is an illustration of what I have got so far: Proof of sum of interior angles

Notes

I have seen this question about proving this, but this deals with an inductive proof and not a geometric proof.

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Obinna Nwakwue
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1 Answers1

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Show that the sum of the angles in a triangle is $180^{\circ}$ (use the fact that an angle inscribed in a circle subtends twice the arc length).

Then, break up an inscribed $n$-gon ($n > 3$) into $n-2$ triangles by picking a vertex and drawing a line segment to each non-adjacent vertex.

The angles of each triangle add up to $180^{\circ}$, and also sum precisely to the angles in the $n-$gon.

John
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  • I like your intution, but will circumscribing a circle around an $n$-gon help with my proof? – Obinna Nwakwue Jun 09 '16 at 21:22
  • Are you requiring all vertices to lie on the circle? You can have a convex polygon for which you can't pass a single circle through all of the points. If you're not, then no, it doesn't directly help to circumscribe a circle, but that's not a shortcoming of the proof. It just means that it's not necessary to do so. But, if all of the vertices lie on the circle, then all of the triangles are inscribed as well, so it's "clean" to do it that way in a sense. – John Jun 09 '16 at 21:45
  • I am circumscribing the circle to where the vertices do line on the circle, so that should answer my question. Thanks! – Obinna Nwakwue Jun 10 '16 at 00:12