Theorem 5.8c: The area of an {n/k} star inscribed in a circle of radius r is

nr2sin(180/n)cos(180k/n)sec(180(k-1)/n)

proof 1: We start with the formula from Theorem 5.8a

n[r2cos2(180k/n)sec2(180(k-1)/n)sin(180/n)cos(180/n) + s2sin(180k/n)cos(180k/n)]

Substitute for s = rsin(180/n)sec(180(k-1)/n) from Theorem 5.7c, and our area becomes

n[r2cos2(180k/n)sec2(180(k-1)/n)sin(180/n)cos(180/n)
+ r2sec2(180(k-1)/n)sin2(180/n)sin( 180k/n)cos(180k/n)]

= nr2sin(180/n)cos(180k/n)sec2(180(k-1)/n)[cos(180k/n)cos(180/n) + sin(180k/n)sin(180/n)]

= nr2sin(180/n)cos(180k/n)sec2(180(k-1)/n)cos(180k/n-180/n)

= nr2sin(180/n)cos(180k/n)sec2(180(k-1)/n)cos(180(k-1)/n)

= nr2sin(180/n)cos(180k/n)sec(180(k-1)/n)

Return to text

Proof 2

Proof 3

Proof 4

Proof 5

Proof 6