16Hit1600
Geometry and TrigonometryEasy–MediumInterior angles of a polygon

Geometry and Trigonometry practice question

What is the sum of the measures of the interior angles of a pentagon?

  1. A. 540°Correct
  2. B. 360°
  3. C. 720°
  4. D. 180°

Answer: A. 540°

A polygon with n sides can be cut into n − 2 triangles from one vertex, each contributing 180°. For a pentagon, (5 − 2) × 180° = 540°.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 360°
360° is the interior angle sum of a QUADRILATERAL (four sides). A pentagon has one more triangle's worth.
C. 720°
720° is the sum for a hexagon, (6 − 2) × 180°.
D. 180°
180° is the sum for a single triangle. A pentagon contains three of them.

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