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Last updated on September 13, 2025
The area is the space inside the boundaries of a two-dimensional shape or surface. There are different formulas for finding the area of various shapes/figures. These are widely used in architecture and design. In this section, we will find the area of a pentagon.
A pentagon is a five-sided polygon with five angles. The sum of the interior angles of a pentagon is 540 degrees. A regular pentagon has all sides and angles equal.
The area of a pentagon is the total space it encloses.
To find the area of a regular pentagon, we use the formula: Area = (1/4) × √(5(5+2√5)) × a², where 'a' is the length of a side. Now let’s see how the formula is applied:
Given that a regular pentagon can be divided into five identical isosceles triangles, we can compute the area of one of these triangles and then multiply it by five to get the area of the pentagon. Each triangle has a central angle of 72 degrees (360/5). Using trigonometric identities, we can find the height of the triangle and calculate its area. Multiplying by five gives the total area of the pentagon.
We can find the area of a regular pentagon using the side length. Here’s how to calculate it:
Method Using the Side Length
If the side length 'a' is given, we find the area of the pentagon using the formula Area = (1/4) × √(5(5+2√5)) × a². For example, if 'a' is 6 cm, what will be the area of the pentagon? Area = (1/4) × √(5(5+2√5)) × 6² ≈ 61.94 cm²
We measure the area of a pentagon in square units. The measurement depends on the system used:
In the metric system, the area is measured in square meters (m²), square centimeters (cm²), and square millimeters (mm²). In the imperial system, the area is measured in square inches (in²), square feet (ft²), and square yards (yd²).
For irregular pentagons, the area can be found by dividing the pentagon into triangles, calculating their individual areas, and summing them.
For regular pentagons, use the formula involving side length: Area = (1/4) × √(5(5+2√5)) × a².
To ensure correct results while calculating the area of a pentagon, consider the following tips:
It is common to make mistakes while finding the area of a pentagon. Let’s take a look at some mistakes made:
A regular pentagon-shaped park has a side length of 10 m. What will be the area?
We will find the area as approximately 172.05 m².
Here, the side length 'a' is 10 m.
Using the formula for a regular pentagon:
Area = (1/4) × √(5(5+2√5)) × 10² ≈ 172.05 m²
What is the area of a regular pentagon with a side length of 8 cm?
We will find the area as approximately 110.12 cm².
If the side length 'a' is 8 cm, we use the formula:
Area = (1/4) × √(5(5+2√5)) × 8² ≈ 110.12 cm²
Find the area of a regular pentagon if its side length is 12 m.
We will find the area as approximately 248.53 m².
The given side length 'a' is 12 m.
Using the formula for a regular pentagon:
Area = (1/4) × √(5(5+2√5)) × 12² ≈ 248.53 m²
Help Sarah calculate the area of a regular pentagon with a side length of 15 cm.
We will find the area as approximately 387.11 cm².
The given side length 'a' is 15 cm.
Using the formula for a regular pentagon:
Area = (1/4) × √(5(5+2√5)) × 15² ≈ 387.11 cm²
Calculate the area of a regular pentagon if the side length is 7 m.
We will find the area as approximately 84.30 m².
The side length 'a' is 7 m.
Using the formula for a regular pentagon:
Area = (1/4) × √(5(5+2√5)) × 7² ≈ 84.30 m²
Seyed Ali Fathima S a math expert with nearly 5 years of experience as a math teacher. From an engineer to a math teacher, shows her passion for math and teaching. She is a calculator queen, who loves tables and she turns tables to puzzles and songs.
: She has songs for each table which helps her to remember the tables