In math, we can fit many shapes of pegs into a round hole as long as we choose the right size peg for a specific circle. When you insert, or inscribe, a figure into a circle, what does that look like? Does it matter what figure is being inscribed? How do we construct these types of figures on our own?
These are all great questions. Let's start by examining what an inscribed figure in a circle looks like. Then, we can move on to how they are constructed. Click on each of the figures below to see how certain figures are inscribed inside a circle.
There are a few things that are true when inscribing a figure inside of a circle. Looking at the figures above, can you figure out four properties of all inscribed figures? Click on each property below to see if you are correct.
| Property 1 | All regular polygons can be inscribed in a circle. |
| Property 2 | All vertices of an inscribed polygon are on the circle. |
| Property 3 | The center of an inscribed regular polygon is the center of the circle. |
| Property 4 | The radius of a regular polygon is also the radius of the circle. |
Continue reading to find out more about these inscribed figures.
