14. The length of each side of a regular octagon is 10 cm . Find its area.

To find the area of a regular octagon, you can use the formula: Area = 2 * (1 + √2) * s², where s is the length of a side. With each side measuring 10 cm, the area calculates to approximately 200 cm². This formula is derived from simple geometric principles related to the properties of polygons and showcases the elegance of regular shapes! Now let's talk about real-world application. Regular octagons aren't just academic exercises; they appear everywhere! Think of stop signs, which are shaped like octagons. Understanding their area can help in urban planning, design of road signs, or when figuring out the space needed for a circular garden path featuring octagonal tiles. It’s geometry in action!