Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
If the side of a regular hexagon is 6 cm, what is its area?
543 cm2
363 cm2
183 cm2
273 cm2
543 cm2
Since a regular hexagon consists of 6 equilateral triangles, memorize the area of one triangle as 43a2 and multiply by 6 to get 233a2.
The side length (a) of a regular hexagon is 6 cm.
Area=233×a2
Since a regular hexagon consists of 6 equilateral triangles, memorize the area of one triangle as 43a2 and multiply by 6 to get 233a2.
Students often confuse the formula for a regular hexagon with the formula for the perimeter (6a) or mistakenly use the square of the side without multiplying by the factor of 233.
Identify the side length
The problem provides the side length a=6 cm.
a=6
Apply the area formula for a regular hexagon
The area of a regular hexagon with side a is given by the formula Area=233a2.
Area=233×(6)2
Calculate the final area
Substitute a=6 into the formula: 62=36. Then multiply: 233×36=3×3×18.
Area=543 cm2
A is correct because the area calculation 3×18×3 results in 543 cm2.
This concept is closely linked to 'Circles and Polygons' where the side of a regular hexagon inscribed in a circle is exactly equal to the radius of that circle (a=R).