Hexagon Vs Sexagon: How Are These Words Connected?

What do you call a polygon with six sides? Is it a hexagon or sexagon? The answer to this question is quite simple if you have some basics on hexagon vs sexagon.

A hexagon is a geometrical term for “a polygon with six sides and angles.” Use this word when referring to “a plane figure with six sides, a six-sided polygon, or a plane figure with six straight sides and angles.” A sexagon is an alternative word for a hexagon, but not recognized by all sources.

Hexagon and sexagon are confusing if you do not know what they mean. But worry not if that’s your situation because we will detail all key concerns about these words. For instance, these words have more in common than their spellings, and we will look at that alongside their meanings and usage in sentences.

Definitions Of Hexagon And Sexagon

Hexagon and sexagon are not words you regularly hear in conversations. Instead, these words are more common in mathematical contexts. So, if you have attended a mathematics class, you have probably heard of these words.

Unfortunately, even those familiar with these words do not know their meanings. For this reason, we start this post by defining the words hexagon and sexagon. Here are the definitions of hexagon and sexagon:

Definitions Of Hexagon

A hexagon is a polygon with six sides and six angles. A polygon is a two-dimensional ordered figure with determined sides and angles made of connected line segments. So, a hexagon is “a two-dimensional geometric figure with six straight-lined sides connected and six angles.” Here is an example sentence, “The students constructed a hexagon out of recycled materials.”

Another reliable source defines a hexagon as “a plane figure of six angles.” A plane figure is a geometric figure that lies on one plane or is composed of line segments, curves, or combinations. So, a hexagon is a geometric figure on one plane composed of six connected line segments. An example sentence is, “Drawing a hexagon requires you to include the six sides.”

In geometry, the word “hexagon” comes from the Greek “hex,” meaning “gonia.” A hexagon has six sides and six angles. Their internal angles have a sum of 720 degrees. For example, “A hexagon is a perfect example of a polygon.”

Definitions Of Sexagon

When you search for this word in the dictionary, most sources will redirect you to the word “hexagon.” This proves the connection between these words. Sexagon is a synonym for hexagon. Therefore, it is an alternate word for hexagon. Consequently, this word shares a definition with a hexagon, a geometrical polygon with six sides and angles. Here is a sentence example, “One of the model sexagon’s sides broke off during the commute.”

It is worth mentioning that some sources do not recognize the word sexagon as an English word. However, several sources relate it to a “hexagon.” It is safe to conclude that a sexagon is a Synonym Of A Hexagon.

How To Properly Use Hexagon And Sexagon In A Sentence

Hexagon and sexagon are technical words applied in mathematical or geometric contexts. However, this does not mean you cannot use these words in regular sentences. Instead, if you understand their definitions, you can easily use these words in everyday contexts.

So, the key is to learn about these words and, most importantly, master their definitions. Here are some other things you should know before using these words in sentences:

How To Use The Word Hexagon

This word is a noun. It fits pretty well in the following contexts:

• Referring to a closed-plane figure or a polygon with six sides and angles. For example, “The students will learn about hexagons in their next geometry class.”
• Referring to a six-pointed star. For example, “The hexagon stars are the most aesthetically pleasing geometric figures.”

You can use this word figuratively to refer to a group or unit of six items or people. An example sentence is, “The hexagon of friends arrived at the event more than an hour late.”

Note: the word hexagon is a countable noun. Therefore, the plural form of a hexagon is hexagons. Use the plural form when referring to a collection or more than one hexagon. For example, “The artist used several hexagons to create the breathtaking art piece.”

How to Use the Word Sexagon

Sexagon is an alternative spelling for a hexagon. Therefore, refer to the tips above when using this word in sentences. The plural form of a sexagon is sexagons. For example, “The sexagons in the image were easy to point out.

Importantly, if your audience or examiners prefer hexagon to sexagon, you should not use the latter. We recommend that you stick to hexagon when writing officially because that’s what is most recognized.

Hexagon Vs Sexagon: More About These Words’ Connection

The primary connection between these words is their spelling. The only difference in their spellings is one letter. However, many other elements connect and differentiate these words. Below are a few:

The word “hexagon comes from the Latin word “hexagonum.” This word has Greek roots. Hexagon comes from the Greek word “hexagonon,” a variation of “hexagonos,” meaning “six-cornered.” You can also break this word down into its roots.

The word-forming roots for hexagon are “hex” meaning “six,” and “goania” meaning “angle or corner.” Furthermore, the PIE root for the word “hexagon” is “genu-“ meaning “knee or angle.” On the other hand, the history and etymology of the word “sexagon” are still unclear.

Something else you should know about these words is their popularity. The word hexagon is significantly more popular than its counterpart. This is because it is recognized globally as the correct word for a polygon with six sides and angles. Sources claim that less than one percent of English speakers use the word “sexagon.”

The word hexagon has three syllables, “hex-a-gon.” Therefore, its correct pronunciation is “/hek-suh-gon/” or “/hek-suh-guhn/.” On the other hand, the word “sexagon” also has three syllables “sex-a-gon.” So, its proper pronunciation is “/sek-suh-gun/” or “/sek-suh-guhn/.” So, the only difference between their pronunciations is the first syllable.

List Of Examples Of Hexagon And Sexagon Use In Sentences

The information above concludes that hexagon is the most recognized spellings, although some people use sexagon. This post still needs one more thing to be completed; a section featuring example sentences with the words hexagon and sexagon. Here are some creative and simple example sentences:

Example sentences of the word hexagon

1. The students studied the components of a hexagon during their Monday geometry class.
2. Faith shared her crazy hexagon dream with her friends today.
3. The hexagon of friends made it to the big city after multiple delays and issues.
4. The town’s map looks like a perfect hexagon.
5. The professor instructed the art students to create a piece with several hexagons.

Example sentences of the word sexagon

1. The sexagon does not look like the real picture.
2. My students will study the formula for calculating the area of a sexagon tonight.
3. Calculating a sexagon’s area is not as hard as the students feared.
4. The architects did not plan the house design to be an irregular sexagon in the blueprints.
5. My room features an irregular sexagon shape.

Conclusion

A hexagon is a geometrical figure or polygon with six sides and six angles adding up to 720 degrees. On the other hand, sexagon is an alternate spelling for hexagon, but it isn’t much recognized. Hexagon is the more popular and widely accepted spelling. So, it would be wise to use it in writing instead of its alternate form. Furthermore, there is more information on the word “hexagon,” like its roots and history, compared to the word “sexagon.”