SOH CAH TOA project 5: build a regular polygon

The objective of this project is to create accurate mathematical diagrams by combining knowledge of angles, polygons, graphing and trigonometry.

regular pentagon on the Cartesian plane.

In the image above, each point is 5 units distant from the origin. The coordinates of point B are (0,5). The coordinates of point A are approximately (4.7, 1.6).

This diagram shows a right triangle OFA. By determining the angle \angle AOF we can use SOH CAH TOA to find the x and the y coordinates of the point A.

In this task you are to calculate the coordinates of each point precisely, correct to 2 decimal places.

Project components and suggested structure:

Page 1: Title page & introduction. This page should have the title of your project, your name & date and perhaps an image. The introduction should describe the objective of the project.

Page 2: Calculate the coordinates of the point A. Use diagrams to explain your calculation.

Page 3: Calculate the coordinates of points C, D and E. Use diagrams.

Page 4: Plot all five calculated points on GeoGebra, then use the polygon tool to construct the polygon. Take a screenshot and discuss your image. Visually predict whether or not your think that they are calculated correctly. Revise your calculations if one or more points seem to be out of place.

Page 5: Use the ‘midpoint or center tool’. Click on your polygon. If your points are calculated correctly, the midpoint should have coordinates (0,0). Reflect on the accuracy of your calculations, troubleshoot if necessary.

Page 6: Use the applet to choose a radius and a number of points between 6 and 12. Perhaps don’t choose 7 or 11, but, you do you. Screenshot the image. Repeat the study (pages 2- 5) for your shape.

Optional: Create a formula for calculating each of the coordinates x and y for the point A for any radius r and any number of sides n. Test out your formula on GeoGebra.

Optional: Create a formula for calculating the perimeter of a regular polygon constructed with n sides inscribed in a circle with radius r. Use the app to test and verify your formula.