17/20 of way around around an octagon

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Question from Priscilla, a student:

What side of an octagon is a snail on if it is 17/20 way around?
I think it is 6.8? Does that mean it is on side 6 or 7?

Hi Priscilla,

Assuming you mean a regular octagon I drew a diagram.

octagon

If you start at P and go counterclockwise around the regular octagon until you are $\frac{17}{20}$ of the way around then, $\frac{17}{20} \times 8 = 6.8,$ so you are at $Q$ which is on the side numbered 7.

I hope this helps,
Penny

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