Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Problem 29 - GMAT Geometry

How many diagonals does a polygon of nine sides have?

(A) 72
(B) 54
(C) 36
(D) 27
(E) 24

6 comments:

  1. This problem is similar to the handshake problem.
    Consider 9 people standing in circle, how many handshakes are possible if the person can't shake hands with the 2 adjacent to him??

    = n(n-3) [n-3, because, he cant shake hand with himself either]

    now A-B handshake is same as B-A handshake. So,

    = n(n-3)/2

    Thus, applying this logic here... 9x6/2 = 27

    Answer is D.

    ReplyDelete
  2. there is a formula for this. n(n-3) divided by 2
    so that gives (9 * 6)/2 = 27

    ReplyDelete
  3. Logic: 9 sides; 9 triangles.9*3=27

    ReplyDelete
  4. Logic: 9 sides; 9 triangles. 9 is the square of 3, therefore opposite vertices share the same lines.

    9*3=27

    ReplyDelete