Finding circumradius of regular polygon such a circle is inscribed

circlespolygons

Say we want to inscribe a cicle with a regular polygon:

enter image description here

The circumradius is is the distance to the vertices of the regular n-ngon.

  • We can see on the image, this circumradius of a regular n-gon is greater at lower n.
  • And as n goes to infinity, the circumradius should approach the radius of the inscribed circle.

But what is the equation of the radius?

I've tried calculating it and google it, and the condition must be, the apothem of the regular n-ngon should equal the radius of the inscribed circle.

I would love your help on this.

Best Answer

Perimeter of a regular polygon circumscribed around a circle of constant given radius $r$;

$$ p= 2 ~n ~r ~ \tan \theta = 2 ~n ~r ~ \tan \frac{2 \pi}{2n} \to ~2 \pi r, \text{as } n\to \infty. $$

You should draw the circle diameter contained in an equilateral triangle with same size as the other three.