Geometry
Apothem and circumradius
Relates the side length to the distance across the flats and across the corners.
The Formula
apothem = sqrt(3) / 2 x s, and circumradius = s
Relates the side length to the distance across the flats and across the corners.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| a | Apothem | units | Half the distance across the flats. |
| R | Circumradius | units | Half the distance across the corners, equal to the side. |
| s | Side length | units | The length of one side. |
What Each Symbol Means
aunits
Apothem
Half the distance across the flats.
Runits
Circumradius
Half the distance across the corners, equal to the side.
sunits
Side length
The length of one side.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate the area of a hexagon page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate The Area Of A Hexagon, filed under Math. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.