In the figure below, ABCDEF is regular hexagon.
Prove that ACE is an equilateral triangle.
The given figure is a regular hexagon, so all its angles are equal in measure.
Number of sides of a regular hexagon = 6
We know that the sum of the angles of a polygon with n sides = (n −2) × 180°
Sum of the angles of the regular hexagon = (6 − 2) × 180°
= 4 × 180°
= 720°
Let the measure of each angle of the given regular hexagon be x°.
⇒ 6x = 720°
⇒ x = 120°
In ΔFEA, by angle sum property, we have:
∠AFE +∠FEA + ∠EAF = 180° …(1)
FE = FA (All sides of a regular hexagon are equal in length)
⇒∠FEA = ∠FAE (Angles opposite to equal sides are equal in measure)
Putting in equation (1):
∠AFE + 2∠FEA = 180°
⇒ 120° + 2∠FEA = 180°
⇒ 2∠FEA = 60°
⇒∠FEA = 30°
Similarly, ∠DEC = ∠DCE = ∠BCA = ∠BAC = ∠FAE = 30°
As ∠FED = 120°
⇒ ∠FEA + ∠AEC + ∠CED = 120°
⇒ 30° + ∠AEC + 30° = 120°
⇒ 60° + ∠AEC = 120°
⇒∠AEC = 60°
Similarly, ∠ACE = ∠EAC = 60°
Thus, ΔAEC is an equilateral triangle.