Question

How many sides does a pentagon have?
(a)2
(b)5
(c)6
(d)7

Answer 1

Hint: In this question, start by defining what a polygon is and then define what a pentagon actually is. Then find the number of vertices/ angles and the number of sides a pentagon has.

In this question, we need to find the number of sides a pentagon has.
We know that pentagon is a type of polygon.
Let us start by defining what a polygon actually is.
So, a figure is a polygon, if it is a simple closed figure made up entirely of finite number of
line segments.
A polygon should have at least three sides and vertices and at max any number of finite
sides and vertices.
For e.g.: A polygon with three sides is called a Triangle.
A polygon with four sides is called a Rectangle.
A polygon with five sides is called a Pentagon.
A polygon with six sides is called a Hexagon and so on.
As stated above, a pentagon means a polygon which has 5 sides and 5 angles.
So, option (b) is the correct answer.
The following figure shows a pentagon:

Note: In this question, it is very important to know what a polygon and subsequently what a pentagon is. Note that a pentagon can be of two types: regular pentagon and irregular pentagon. A regular pentagon has all sides and angles equal. While an irregular pentagon does not have all sides and angles equal. The diagram shown above is of a regular pentagon.