Heptagon

In geometry, a heptagon is a polygon with seven sides and seven angles. In a regular heptagon, in which all sides and all angles are equal, the sides meet at an angle of 5π/7 radians, 128.5714286 degrees. Its Schläfli symbol is {7}. The area of a regular heptagon of side length "a" is given by:$A\; =\; frac\{7\}\{4\}a^2\; cot\; frac\{pi\}\{7\}\; simeq\; 3.63391\; a^2.$

The heptagon is also sometimes referred to as the "septagon", using "sept-" (an elision of , a Latin-derived numerical prefix, rather than , a Greek-derived numerical prefix). The OED lists "septagon" as meaning "heptagonal".

Construction

A regular heptagon is not constructible with compass and straightedge but is constructible with a marked ruler and compass. This type of construction is called a Neusis construction. It is also constructible with compass, straightedge and angletrisector. The impossibility of straightedge and compass construction follows from the observation that 2cos(2π/7) ≈ 1.247 is a zero of the irreducible cubic "x"³ + "x"² - 2"x" - 1. Consequently this polynomial is the minimal polynomial of 2cos(2π/7), whereas the degree of the minimal polynomial for a constructible number must be a power of 2.

Approximation

A decent approximation for practical use with an accuracy of $approx\; 0.2\%$ is shown in the drawing. Let $A$ lie on the circumference of the circumcircle. Draw arc $BOC$. Then $BD\; =\; \{1\; over\; 2\}BC$ gives an approximation for the edge of the heptagon.

Heptagrams

Two kinds of "heptagrams" can be constructed from regular heptagons, labeled by "Schläfli symbols" {7/2}, and {7/3}, with the divisor being the interval of connection.

Blue, {7/2} and green {7/3} "heptagrams" inside a red heptagon.

Uses

The United Kingdom currently (2008) has two heptagonal coins, the 50p and 20p pieces, and the Barbados Dollar is also heptagonal. The 20 eurocent coin has cavities placed similarly. Strictly, the shape of the coins is a curvilinear heptagon to make them curves of constant width: the sides are curved outwards so that the coin will roll smoothly in vending machines. The Brazilian 25 cents coin has a heptagon inscribed in the coin's disk.

Some old versions of Coat of arms of Georgia (country) including Soviet days had used {7/2} heptagram as an element.

See also

* Heptagram
* Heptagonal tiling

External links

* [http://www.mathopenref.com/heptagon.html Definition and properties of a heptagon] With interactive animation
* [http://www.geocities.com/robinhuiscool/heptagon.html Approximate construction method]
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* [http://www.macharis.be/toon/heptagon/ Another approximate construction method]
* [http://www.coolmath.com/reference/polygons-07-heptagons.html Polygons - Heptagons]