The area of a square is 9 cm2. Its perimeter is equal to the perimeter of a regular hexagon. What is the area (in cm2) of the hexagon?
- AOption (a)
\(42\sqrt{3}\)
- BOption (b)
32
- COption (c)
\(6\sqrt{3}\)
- DOption (d)
40
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Correct answer
\(6\sqrt{3}\)
Why this answer is correct
Shortcut Trick
Side of square = √9 = 3 cm ⇒ Perimeter = 4 × 3 = 12 cm.
Side of regular hexagon = 12 ÷ 6 = 2 cm.
Area of hexagon = 6 × (Area of equilateral triangle with side 2 cm).
Area = 6 × (√3 ÷ 4 × 22) = 6 × √3 = 6√3 cm2.
∴ The correct answer is 6√3 cm2.
Alternate Method
Given:
Area of square = 9 cm2
Perimeter of square = Perimeter of regular hexagon
Formula Used:
- Area of square = a2 (where a = side)
- Perimeter of square = 4a
- Perimeter of regular hexagon = 6s (where s = side)
- Area of regular hexagon = (3√3 ÷ 2) × s2
Calculations:
⇒ a2 = 9 cm2
⇒ a = √9 = 3 cm
⇒ Perimeter of square = 4 × 3 = 12 cm
⇒ Perimeter of hexagon = 6s = 12 cm
⇒ s = 12 ÷ 6 = 2 cm
⇒ Area of hexagon = (3√3 ÷ 2) × 22
⇒ Area of hexagon = (3√3 ÷ 2) × 4
⇒ Area of hexagon = 3√3 × 2 = 6√3 cm2
∴ The correct answer is 6√3 cm2.
Additional Information
Regular Hexagon Area
A regular hexagon is composed of 6 equilateral triangles. Area = 6 × (√3/4 × s2) = (3√3/2)s2.
Internal Angles
Each internal angle of a regular hexagon is 120° and the sum of all internal angles is 720°.
Circumradius and Inradius
For a regular hexagon of side s, the circumradius (R) = s and the inradius (r) = (√3/2)s.