Does this equation already exist?

  • Thread starter newbie7.07
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In summary, this is a conversation about the formula for finding the area of a regular polygon with sides of equal length. The formula involves using the number of sides and the side length, as well as the radius or apothem. The concept of discovering equations in mathematics is also discussed, with one person referencing a page in a math table and another mentioning the idea of discovering a theorem. The conversation ends with a request for an explanation of why two trigonometric functions are equal, with the suggestion to apply Simpson's formulas.
  • #1
newbie7.07
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0
This is a formula to find the area of a regular polygon with sides of equal length only using the side length.

(ns2cot(180/n))/4

Where n is equal to the number of sides and s is the side length.

Also, knowing radius (r) or apothem (a)

(na2tan(180/n))/4

(nr2sin(180/n)cos(180/n))/4

Has someone found this before?
 
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  • #2
Yes, I find it on page 122 of my copy of CRC Standard Math tables. (27th ed)
 
  • #3
No offense, but that's not really an equation you can "discover." It's just a calculation.
 
  • #4
Manchot said:
No offense, but that's not really an equation you can "discover." It's just a calculation.

In mathematics there is no such thing as discovery.
 
  • #5
Ah.. I see you folks have never read Plato. Or won't admit to it anyway.
 
  • #6
Werg22 said:
In mathematics there is no such thing as discovery.
Yes, there is. Just because a certain theorem happens to be true whether it's been found or not, it doesn't mean that it can't be discovered. "Discover" in this case simply means that you are the first human being to stumble upon it.
 
  • #7
Ok, then can anyone who's read something about this explain why cot(180/n)=tan(90(n-2)/n)?
 
  • #8
newbie7.07 said:
Ok, then can anyone who's read something about this explain why cot(180/n)=tan(90(n-2)/n)?

Just apply Simpson's formulas.
 

FAQ: Does this equation already exist?

What is an equation?

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