Is circle a Polygon ? - A debate

A polygon when increased in number of sides tends to form a circle is shown with this interesting activity.

Objectives

To understand how a circle is derived

Estimated Time

40 minutes

Prerequisites/Instructions, prior preparations, if any

Ensure that lesson on polygons is done.

Materials/ Resources needed

Digital: Laptop, geogebra file, projector and a pointer.

Geogebra file: Regular polygon tends towards a circle as sides increase.ggb

This geogebra file has been created by maths STF teachers.

Download this geogebra file from this link.

Process (How to do the activity)

1. How many sides does this figure have ?
2. Name the figure formed.
3. What is happening to the length of the sides as the number of sides is increased ?
4. What shape is this ?
5. So, can circle be considered a polygon ? Justify

• Evaluation:

1. Are the students able to comprehend that the number of sides is getting infinite as the shape resembles a circle ?
2. Are the students able to appreciate the application of polygon anology to circles.

• Question Corner;

Debate between two groups with these two perspectives.

1. Circle seems to have derived from polygons . Circle can be considered a polygon.

Vs

1. A polygon is defined by a certain number of sides having non zero length. Then how can circle be a polygon ? (hint: all radii in a circle should be equal ???)