Convex Polygon

Pronunciation: /kɒnˈvɛks ˈpɒl.iˌgɒn/ Explain

A polygon is a closed shape whose boundaries consist of straight lines. A shape if convex if, for any two points that are part of the shape, a straight line can not be drawn between the two points that lies outside the shape.[2] Figure 1: Convex polygon Figure 1 is an example of a concave polygon. Since it is possible to pick two points within the shape and draw a line between them that leaves the shape, the shape is convex. Figure 2: Concave Polygon Figure 2 is an example of a convex polygon. Note that the entire line is contained within the polygon. In fact, a line drawn between any two points that are part of the' polygon will be entirely contained within the polygon.

References

1. McAdams, David E.. All Math Words Dictionary, convex. 2nd Classroom edition 20150108-4799968. pg 47. Life is a Story Problem LLC. January 8, 2015. Buy the book
2. convex polygon. merriam-webster.com. Encyclopedia Britannica. Merriam-Webster. Last Accessed 6/25/2018. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convex polygon. Buy the book
3. Beman, Wooster Woodruff; and Smith, David Eugene. New Plane and Solid Geometry. pg 54. www.archive.org. Ginn & Company. 1899. Last Accessed 6/25/2018. http://www.archive.org/stream/newplaneandsoli02smitgoog#page/n69/mode/1up/search/convex. Buy the book
4. Lyman, Elmer A.. Plane and Solid Geometry. pg 57. www.archive.org. American Book Company. 1908. Last Accessed 6/25/2018. http://www.archive.org/stream/planesolidgeomet00lymarich#page/57/mode/1up/search/convex. Buy the book

Cite this article as:

McAdams, David E. Convex Polygon. 3/9/2019. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem LLC. http://www.allmathwords.org/en/c/convexpolygon.html.

Image Credits

• All images and manipulatives are by David McAdams unless otherwise stated. All images by David McAdams are Copyright © Life is a Story Problem LLC and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Revision History

3/9/2019: Removed faulty manipulative. (McAdams, David E.)
12/21/2018: Reviewed and corrected IPA pronunication. (McAdams, David E.)
6/25/2018: Removed broken links, updated license, implemented new markup, updated GeoGebra apps. (McAdams, David E.)
1/18/2010: Added "References". (McAdams, David E.)
7/30/2007: Initial version. (McAdams, David E.)