Angle Sum Of A Polygon

Theorem: Sum of the interior angles of a $n$-sided polygon is $(n-2)180^o$, whenever $n\geq 3$.

Prerequisites:
Angle sum property of a triangle (proof)

Proof:
We prove this result by mathematical induction:

For $n = 3$, polygon is a triangle,
hence the sum total of interior angles $\:= 180^o\\
\begin{align}\!\!\!\! &= (3-2)\times 180^o\\
&= (n-2)180^o\end{align}$

Thus, the result holds for $n=3$.

Now, let us assume that the result holds for $n=k$.
Therefore, for a $k$-sided polygon, sum total of interior angles $S_k = (k-2)180^o$.

For $n = k+1$:

Let us consider a $k+1$-sided polygon. Let us draw a line joining the $(k-1)^{th}$ and $(k+1)^{th}$ vertices, as shown in the figure. Then the resulting polygon $A_1A_2\cdots A_{k-1}A_{k+1}$ is a $k$-sided polygon.
Hence, the sum of its interior angles $= S_k = (k-2)180^o$   (from $n=k$ case).

Also by the angle sum property of a triangle, sum total of interior angles of the triangle $\triangle A_{k-1}A_kA_{k+1} = 180^o$.

Hence, sum total of all the angles of the $k+1$-sided polygon '$S_{k+1}$'$=$Sum of angles of polygon $A_1A_2\cdots A_{k-1}A_{k+1} +$ sum of angles of the triangle $\triangle A_{k-1}A_kA_{k+1}$, i.e.,

$\begin{align}\qquad\quad S_{k+1} &= S_k + 180^o\\
&= (k-2)180^o + 180^o\\
&= ((k+1) - 2)180^o\end{align}$

Thus, the result holds for $n=k+1$.

Hence, by the principle of mathematical induction, the result holds for all $n\geq 3$.

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