A polygon is a two-dimensional shape that has straight sides and is formed by connecting a finite number of points. These points, known as vertices, are connected by line segments to create the shape. Common examples of polygons include triangles, squares, and pentagons.
In contrast, a polyhedron is a three-dimensional shape that is made up of flat polygonal faces. Each face is a polygon, and these faces meet at edges, forming the vertices of the polyhedron. Common examples of polyhedra include cubes, pyramids, and dodecahedra.
In summary, the key difference between the two is that polygons exist in two dimensions while polyhedra exist in three dimensions. This means that polygons have length and width, but no depth, whereas polyhedra have length, width, and depth, giving them a volume that can occupy space.