Originally Posted by
givio
I'm math challenged... I want to make an octagon using triangles (that point toward the center of the octagon), then mirror image the triangle (so it becomes a diamond), and have a resulting star. How do I figure out what the length of the sides of the triangles should be? The short side of the triangle will make the octagon, and the other two sides of the triangle will be equal and longer. If I make the short side of the triangle, for example, 6", then what will be the length of the other two sides?
Hi there
its not so much about the length, as it is about the angles in the centre. An (imaginary) circle in the middle uses 360 degrees. To get 8 sections you divide 360 by 8. This gives you a centre angle of 45 degrees for each section of your octagonal shape.
You probably have a 45 degree triangle ruler already lol.
With this angle you can then go ahead and make your sides whatever you need them to be, provided you keep both sides the same. The third length across the outside will sort itself out.
Try it out with a bit of paper first :-))
If you want a 5-pointed star you'd divide 360 by 5.
6-points, divide 360 by 6
Etc........