A one-sided shape is a monogon, at least theoretically. A monogon would have only one vertex so it would start and end at the same spot. It would also have only one curve or side. With that in mind, a monogon would look very much like a circle.
2. Two-sided shape
Answer: Digon
A two-sided shape would be known as a digon or a bigon. In theory, it would be easier to imagine this two-dimensional shape in three dimensions. Imagine an inflated beach ball divided into a series of stripes that run from the top to the bottom. One of the stripes, with its two vertices, would be a digon.
3. Three-sided shape
Answer: Triangle
A three-sided shape is more commonly known as a triangle, though it's also sometimes called a trigon. The interior angles of a triangle add up to 180 degrees. An equilateral triangle has three sides of identical length in addition to the three angles each being 60 degrees. There are several types of triangle based on their various interior angles.
An acute triangle, for example, has three interior angles which measure less than 90 degrees (the equilateral triangle is a specific acute triangle). A right triangle has one angle of 90 degrees and the other two angles add up to a further 90 degrees. The Pythagorean Theorem (named for the Greek mathematician Pythagoras) is based on the lengths of the sides of a right triangle. It states that a squared + b squared = c squared. This means the square of one leg or side added to the square of the other leg or side is equal to the square of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle).
4. Four-sided shape
Answer: Quadrilateral
A four-sided shape is more commonly known as a quadrilateral, though it is also known as a tetragon. The shapes can be divided into several types based on their interior angles, which add up to 360 degrees. A trapezoid has one pair of parallel sides and the opposite interior angles add up to 180 degrees.
Quadrilaterals with two pairs of parallel lines are known as parallelograms. A parallelogram with four right interior angles is a rectangle. A parallelogram with four sides of equal length is known as rhombus. A parallelogram that is both a rectangle and a rhombus is a square.
5. Five-sided shape
Answer: Pentagon
A five-sided shape is also known as a pentagon. The Pentagon, the large office building for the Department of Defense, is named for being pentagon-shaped. A smaller pentagon is the home plate on a baseball diamond although it is not a regular one. A pentagon has interior angles that add up to 540 degrees.
In a regular pentagon, each interior angle is 108 degrees. A regular pentagon is also known as a star pentagon.
6. Six-sided shape
Answer: Hexagon
A six-sided shape is known as a hexagon. In nature, a hexagon can be found in the individual cells of a beehive. The interior angles of a beehive add up to 720 degrees, with each individual one measuring 120 degrees. The diagonal of a hexagon (connecting diametrically opposite vertices) is twice as long as one of the hexagon's six sides.
7. Seven-sided shape
Answer: Heptagon
A seven-sided shape is called a heptagon. Heptagons are less common in nature but they can occasionally be found. One such example appears in some of the pillars of the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. The interior angles of a heptagon add up to 900 degrees with each interior angle of a regular heptagon measuring about 128.57 degrees.
8. Eight-sided shape
Answer: Octagon
An eight-sided shape is known as an octagon. One of the most familiar uses of an octagon is the stop sign. The interior angles of an octagon measure 1080 degrees. With a regular octagon, each individual interior angle measures 135 degrees.
9. Nine-sided shape
Answer: Nonagon
A nine-sided shape is also known as a nonagon or an enneagon. A nonagon is not very common in nature but can occasionally be found in locations like an irregular honeycomb. A nonagon has interior angles that add up to 1240 degrees. A regular nonagon has interior angles that measure 140 degrees each.
10. Ten-sided shape
Answer: Decagon
A ten-sided shape is a decagon. In nature, a decagon can be found in the cross section of certain fruits including a star fruit. The interior angles of a decagon add up to 1,440 degrees. In a regular decagon, each individual interior angle adds up to 144 degrees.
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