0=1 due to a polygon?

For any nn sided regular polygon inscribed in a circle of radius rr, our objective is to calculate the perimeter of the polygon.

The figure represents the given situation. OO is the center of the circle and ABAB,BCBC are edges of a regular polygon. OLOL and OMOM are perpendiculars drawn on line segments ABAB and BCBC respectively. Since perpendiculars from center bisect the chord, thus we have,

OL=OMOL = OM

OB=OBOB = OB

OLB=OMB\angle OLB = \angle OMB

Therfore by RHS Criteration of congruency, ΔOLBΔOMB\Delta OLB \cong \Delta OMB.

Thus by CPCT, we have

LBO=OBM\angle LBO = \angle OBM

For any regular polygon of nn sides, each angle is given by 180(n2)n\frac{180(n-2)}{n}.

Therefore, LBM=180(n2)n\angle LBM = \frac{180(n-2)}{n}. Thus LBO=180(n2)2n\angle LBO = \frac{180(n-2)}{2n}.

Clearly,

BLr=cos(90(n2)n°)\frac{BL}{r} = cos(\frac{90(n-2)}{n}°)

 BL=rcos(90(n2)n°)\ BL = rcos(\frac{90(n-2)}{n}°) and thus,

BC=2BL=2rcos(90(n2)n°)BC = 2BL = 2rcos(\frac{90(n-2)}{n}°)

Since it is a regular polygon,

Perimeter = (n)(BA)=2nrcos(90(n2)n°)(n)(BA) = 2nrcos(\frac{90(n-2)}{n}°) .........................(1).........................(1)

But as nn 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 nn approaches infinity,

cos(90(n2)n°)cos(\frac{90(n-2)}{n}°) becomes approximately cos(90°)=0cos(90°) = 0 .........................(2).........................(2) .

Also comparing the formula we obtained in equation 1 , to the circumference of circle,

ncos(90(n2)n°)=πncos(\frac{90(n-2)}{n}°) = \pi .........................(3).........................(3)

From (2) and (3),

π=0\pi = 0

Dividing by π\pi on both sides we get,

0=10 =1

Find the mistake!

Note by Akshat Joshi
4 years, 5 months ago

No vote yet
1 vote

  Easy Math Editor

This discussion board is a place to discuss our Daily Challenges and the math and science related to those challenges. Explanations are more than just a solution — they should explain the steps and thinking strategies that you used to obtain the solution. Comments should further the discussion of math and science.

When posting on Brilliant:

  • Use the emojis to react to an explanation, whether you're congratulating a job well done , or just really confused .
  • Ask specific questions about the challenge or the steps in somebody's explanation. Well-posed questions can add a lot to the discussion, but posting "I don't understand!" doesn't help anyone.
  • Try to contribute something new to the discussion, whether it is an extension, generalization or other idea related to the challenge.
  • Stay on topic — we're all here to learn more about math and science, not to hear about your favorite get-rich-quick scheme or current world events.

MarkdownAppears as
*italics* or _italics_ italics
**bold** or __bold__ bold

- bulleted
- list

  • bulleted
  • list

1. numbered
2. list

  1. numbered
  2. list
Note: you must add a full line of space before and after lists for them to show up correctly
paragraph 1

paragraph 2

paragraph 1

paragraph 2

[example link](https://brilliant.org)example link
> This is a quote
This is a quote
    # I indented these lines
    # 4 spaces, and now they show
    # up as a code block.

    print "hello world"
# I indented these lines
# 4 spaces, and now they show
# up as a code block.

print "hello world"
MathAppears as
Remember to wrap math in \( ... \) or \[ ... \] to ensure proper formatting.
2 \times 3 2×3 2 \times 3
2^{34} 234 2^{34}
a_{i-1} ai1 a_{i-1}
\frac{2}{3} 23 \frac{2}{3}
\sqrt{2} 2 \sqrt{2}
\sum_{i=1}^3 i=13 \sum_{i=1}^3
\sin \theta sinθ \sin \theta
\boxed{123} 123 \boxed{123}

Comments

Hint: There is something wrong with infinity

Akshat Joshi - 4 years, 5 months ago

Log in to reply

You should make this into a problem.

Zoe Codrington - 2 years, 7 months ago
×

Problem Loading...

Note Loading...

Set Loading...