For any n sided regular polygon inscribed in a circle of radius r, our objective is to calculate the perimeter of the polygon.
The figure represents the given situation. O is the center of the circle and AB,BC are edges of a regular polygon.
OL and OM are perpendiculars drawn on line segments AB and BC respectively. Since perpendiculars from center bisect the chord, thus we have,
OL=OM
OB=OB
∠OLB=∠OMB
Therfore by RHS Criteration of congruency,
ΔOLB≅ΔOMB.
Thus by CPCT, we have
∠LBO=∠OBM
For any regular polygon of n sides, each angle is given by n180(n−2).
Therefore, ∠LBM=n180(n−2). Thus ∠LBO=2n180(n−2).
Clearly,
rBL=cos(n90(n−2)°)
BL=rcos(n90(n−2)°) and thus,
BC=2BL=2rcos(n90(n−2)°)
Since it is a regular polygon,
Perimeter = (n)(BA)=2nrcos(n90(n−2)°) .........................(1)
But as n approaches infinity the polygon tends to coincide the circle in which it is inscribed. Thus in that case the perimeter of the polygon becomes equal to the circumference of the circle in which it is inscribed.
Also As n approaches infinity,
cos(n90(n−2)°) becomes approximately cos(90°)=0 .........................(2).
Also comparing the formula we obtained in equation 1 , to the circumference of circle,
ncos(n90(n−2)°)=π .........................(3)
From (2) and (3),
π=0
Dividing by π on both sides we get,
0=1
Find the mistake!
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Hint: There is something wrong with infinity
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You should make this into a problem.