An octagon is a shape made up of eight sides, eight vertices and eight interior angles, this is an example of a regular polygon.
The term octagon is derived from two Greek root words with “octa” meaning eight and “gon” meaning sides; thus, the shape has eight sides. Regular octagons will have areas equal to 4.828427 times the side length squared.
Types of Octagons
1. Regular Octagon.
A regular octagon with eight equal length sides and eight equal magnitude interior angles represents an octagon.
A regular octagon has the sum of its exterior angles equal to 360°. The magnitude of each of the interior angles of a regular octagon is equal to 135°. Thus, each angle at the centre of each portion of the regular octagon has to be equal to 45°.
2. Irregular Octagon.
If at least two sides of an octagon vary in length, then it is known as an irregular octagon.
3. Concave Octagon.
If at least one of the internal angles of an octagon is greater than 180°, then such an octagon is known as a concave octagon. Usually, concave octagons have a dent in their closed structure.
4. Convex Octagon.
All the internal angles of a convex octagon have a magnitude less than 180°. Usually, the convex octagons tend to have an outward bump.
Properties of Octagon
- An octagon has a total of 20 diagonals.
- The sum of interior angles of an octagon is equal to 1080°.
- Each interior angle of a regular octagon has a magnitude equal to 135°.
- The exterior angles of a regular octagon are congruent to each other and have a magnitude equal to 45°.
Examples of Octagon
1. Street Signs.
Street signs such as the stop signs are typically constructed in the shape of an octagon. The octagon shape is usually preferred to create road warning signs to ensure that the driver facing the back of the sign is also able to understand what the signboard indicates.
2. Clock.
Clocks are manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes such as cube, cuboid, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, etc.
3. Window.
Some of the windows are shaped like an octagon to add uniqueness to the household.
4. Tiles.
One of the most popular two-dimensional geometric shapes used to manufacture tiles is an octagon.
5. Glass.
Some of the drinking glasses are often shaped like an octagonal prism. If you look at the base of such a glass, you can easily visualize the two-dimensional octagon geometric shape.
6. Buildings.
Architects generally make use of the octagon geometric shape to construct buildings, homes, apartments, offices, temples, and other infrastructures.
7. Plate.
Some of the plates and dishes are also manufactured in the shape of an octagon.
8. Spectacles and Sun Glasses.
Octagon geometric shape is widely used to construct frames for spectacles and sunglasses.
9. Ornaments and Accessories.
A number of ornaments and accessories such as earrings, pendants, rings, etc., are shaped like an octagon.
10. Medal.
Medals are usually awarded to a person as a token of appreciation for his/her deed. Some of the medals are shaped like an octagon.
11. Umbrellas.
The octagon geometric shape can be visualized by looking at an open umbrella from the top view.
12. Trampoline.
The frame or the outer structure of a trampoline usually consists of eight sides, eight vertices, and eight internal angles, thereby forming a prominent example of octagon-shaped objects present around us.
13. Cookie Box.
A cookie box is generally shaped like an octagon.
14. Boxing Ring.
The boxing ring is a classic example of an octagon because it has eight sides, eight vertices, and eight internal angles.
15. Spider Web.
Spider webs are yet another example of octagon geometric shapes.
16. Table.
Study or dining tables are constructed in a variety of shapes out of which octagon shape is quite common.
17. Star.
A four-pointed star pattern is a prime example of an irregular octagon because it has a total of eight sides, eight vertices, and eight unequal angles.
18. Musical Instruments.
A number of musical instruments such as a drum, tambourine, etc., are shaped like an octagon.