ACT Math : Hexagons

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Perimeter Of A Hexagon

Hexcenter431

The figure above is a regular hexagon. \(\displaystyle O\) is the center of the figure. The line drawn is perpendicular to the side.

What is the perimeter of the figure above?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 4\sqrt{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 48\)

\(\displaystyle 48\sqrt{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 36\)

\(\displaystyle 24\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 48\)

Explanation:

You can redraw the figure given to notice the little equilateral triangle that is formed within the hexagon. Since a hexagon can have the \(\displaystyle 360\) degrees of its internal rotation divided up evenly, the central angle is \(\displaystyle 60\) degrees. The two angles formed with the sides also are \(\displaystyle 60\) degrees. Thus, you could draw:

Hexcenter432

Now, the \(\displaystyle 4\sqrt{3}\) is located on the side that is the same as \(\displaystyle \sqrt{3}\) on your standard \(\displaystyle 30-60-90\) triangle. The base of the little triangle formed here is \(\displaystyle 1\) on the standard triangle. Let's call our unknown value \(\displaystyle x\).

We know, then, that:

\(\displaystyle \frac{4\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{3}}=\frac{x}{1}\)

Or, \(\displaystyle x=4\)

Now, this is only half of the size of the hexagon's side. Therefore, the full side length is \(\displaystyle 4*2=8\).

Since this is a regular hexagon, all of the sides are of equal length.  This means that your total perimeter is \(\displaystyle 8*6\) or \(\displaystyle 48\).

Example Question #2 : Hexagons

What is the perimeter of a regular hexagon with an area of \(\displaystyle 315.375\sqrt{3}\:units^2\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 92\:units\)

\(\displaystyle 157.6875\:units\)

\(\displaystyle 157.6875\sqrt{3}\:units\)

\(\displaystyle 87\:units\)

\(\displaystyle 78\sqrt{3}\:units\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 87\:units\)

Explanation:

The area of a regular hexagon is defined by the equation:

\(\displaystyle \frac{3\sqrt{3}}{2} * s^2\), where \(\displaystyle s\) is the length of a side.

This is derived from the fact that the regular hexagon can be split up into \(\displaystyle 6\) little equilateral triangles, each having an area of 

\(\displaystyle \frac{\sqrt{3}}{4}*s^2\)

To visualize this, consider the drawing:

Hexagontriangle

Each triangle formed like this will be equilateral.  It is easiest to remember this relationship and memorize the general area equation for equilateral triangles. (It is useful in many venues!)

So, for your data, you know:

\(\displaystyle 315.375\sqrt{3}=\frac{3\sqrt{3}}{2} * s^2\)

Solving for \(\displaystyle s\), you get:

\(\displaystyle s^2 = 210.25\)

This means that \(\displaystyle s=14.5\)

Therefore, the perimeter of the figure is equal to \(\displaystyle 6*s\) or \(\displaystyle 87\:units\).

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Perimeter Of A Hexagon

Find the perimeter of a hexagon with a side length of \(\displaystyle 16\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 86\)

\(\displaystyle 48\)

\(\displaystyle 22\)

\(\displaystyle 96\)

\(\displaystyle 80\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 96\)

Explanation:

There are 6 sides in a hexagon.  

Therefore, given a side length of 16, the perimeter is:

\(\displaystyle P=6s=6 \cdot 16=96\)

 

 

Example Question #3 : How To Find The Perimeter Of A Hexagon

The side length of a hexagon is \(\displaystyle \frac{x}{3}\).  What is the perimeter?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x+6\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{x+6}{6}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{x+6}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{6x+6}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 2x\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2x\)

Explanation:

Write the formula for the perimeter of a hexagon.  

\(\displaystyle P=6s\)

Substitute the given length.

\(\displaystyle P=6s = 6\left(\frac{x}{3}\right)=2x\)

Example Question #31 : Geometry

The perimeter of a regular hexagon is \(\displaystyle 105\). What is the length of one of its diagonals?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 17.5\)

\(\displaystyle 35\)

\(\displaystyle 17.5\sqrt{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 52.5\)

\(\displaystyle 26.25\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 35\)

Explanation:

To begin, calculate the side length of the hexagon. Since it is regular, its sides are of equal length. This means that a given side is \(\displaystyle \frac{105}{6}\) or \(\displaystyle 17.5\) in length. Now, consider your figure like this: 

Hex175

The little triangle at the top forms an equilateral triangle. This means that all of its sides are \(\displaystyle 17.5\). You could form six of these triangles in your figure if you desired. This means that the long diagonal is really just \(\displaystyle 2*17.5\) or \(\displaystyle 35\).

Example Question #31 : Act Math

Hexcenter71

The figure above is a regular hexagon.  O is the center of the figure.  The line segment makes a perpendicular angle with the external side.

What is the length of the diagonal of the regular hexagon pictured above?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 14\)

\(\displaystyle 42\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{28\sqrt{3}}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 14\sqrt{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 7\sqrt{2}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{28\sqrt{3}}{3}\)

Explanation:

You could redraw your figure as follows.  Notice that this kind of figure makes an equilateral triangle within the hexagon.  This allows you to create a useful \(\displaystyle 30-60-90\) triangle.

Hexcenter72

The \(\displaystyle 7\) in the figure corresponds to \(\displaystyle \sqrt{3}\) in a reference \(\displaystyle 30-60-90\) triangle. The hypotenuse is \(\displaystyle 2\) in the reference triangle. 

Therefore, we can say:

\(\displaystyle \frac{7}{\sqrt{3}}=\frac{h}{2}\)

Solve for \(\displaystyle h\):

\(\displaystyle h=\frac{14}{\sqrt{3}}\)

Rationalize the denominator:

\(\displaystyle h=\frac{14}{\sqrt{3}}*\frac{\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{3}}=\frac{14\sqrt{3}}{3}\)

Now, the diagonal of a regular hexagon is actually just double the length of this hypotenuse. (You could draw another equilateral triangle on the bottom and duplicate this same calculation set—if you wanted to spend extra time without need!) Thus, the length of the diagonal is:

\(\displaystyle \frac{28\sqrt{3}}{3}\)

Example Question #41 : Geometry

If the perimeter of a regular hexagon is \(\displaystyle 112.8\), what is the length of a side of that regular hexagon?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 19.6\)

\(\displaystyle 19.8\)

\(\displaystyle 18.8\)

\(\displaystyle 18.6\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 18.8\)

Explanation:

Use the formula for perimeter to solve for the length of a side of the regular hexagon:

\(\displaystyle P=6s\)

Where \(\displaystyle P\) is perimeter and \(\displaystyle s\) is the length of a side.

In this case:

\(\displaystyle 112.8=6s\)

\(\displaystyle s=\frac{112.8}{6}=18.8\)

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Hexagon

Find the length of one side for a regular hexon with a perimeter of \(\displaystyle 85.8\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 15.2\)

\(\displaystyle 14.3\)

\(\displaystyle 12.4\)

\(\displaystyle 13.6\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 14.3\)

Explanation:

Use the formula for perimeter to solve for the side length:

\(\displaystyle P=6s\)

\(\displaystyle 85.8=6s\)

\(\displaystyle s=14.3\)

Example Question #1 : Hexagons

Find the length of one side for a regular hexagon with a perimeter of \(\displaystyle 114\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 18\)

\(\displaystyle 18.5\)

\(\displaystyle 16\)

\(\displaystyle 19\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 19\)

Explanation:

Use the formula for perimeter to solve for the side length:

\(\displaystyle P=6s\)

\(\displaystyle 114=6s\)

\(\displaystyle s=19\)

Example Question #3 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Hexagon

What is the maximum length of each side for a regular hexago with a perimeter of \(\displaystyle 54\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 9\)

8.8

\(\displaystyle 7.6\)

\(\displaystyle 9.4\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 9\)

Explanation:

Use the formula for perimeter to solve for the side length:

\(\displaystyle P=6s\)

\(\displaystyle 54=6s\)

\(\displaystyle s=9\)

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