1. Lesson 3

1.8. Explore 4

Mathematics 30-3 Module 5

Module 5: Geometry

 

This is a photograph of a honeycomb that shows three regular hexagons fitting around one point.

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Thinkstock

In Try This 4, you may have found that the shape of each cell of your structure is a hexagon. A hexagonal shape works well in a honeycomb structure, because each interior angle of a regular hexagon is 120°. Exactly 3 hexagons will fit together without a gap, because 120° divides evenly into 360° three times.

 

Squares are another regular polygon that would work in a honeycomb structure. Because 90° divides evenly into 360° four times, 4 squares would fit together without a gap. Honeycomb structures are useful because they provide strength but use less material, which makes them lighter. A honeycomb structure may be used in the core of a running shoe or a snowboard.

 

Self-Check 3


textbook

Answer “Practise Your New Skills” questions 6 and 7 from page 213 of the textbook. Answer

 



glossary

Add the following terms to your copy of Glossary Terms:

  • polygon
  • regular polygon

formula

Add the following formulas to your copy of Formula Sheet:

  • interior angle: for
  • sum of interior angles: for n-sided regular polygon = 180°(n − 2)