UPSC Prelims 2018·CSAT·Quantitative Aptitude·Geometry and Mensuration

How many diagonals can be drawn by joining the vertices of an octagon?

Dalvoy logo
Reviewed by Dalvoy
UPSC Civil Services preparation
Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. A20Correct
  2. B24
  3. C28
  4. D64

Explanation

To find the number of diagonals in a polygon, we use the formula: n times (n minus 3) divided by 2, where n is the number of sides. An octagon has 8 sides, so n equals 8. Plugging this into the formula: 8 times (8 minus 3) divided by 2 8 times 5 divided by 2 40 divided by 2 20 Alternatively, you can think of it this way: From 8 vertices, you can choose 2 to form a line in 28 ways (8 times 7 divided by 2). Out of these 28 lines, 8 are the sides of the octagon. Subtracting the 8 sides from the total lines (28 minus 8) leaves 20 diagonals. Therefore, the correct answer is 20.
Quantitative Aptitude: How many diagonals can be drawn by joining the vertices of an octagon?

Related questions

More UPSC Prelims practice from the same subject and topic.