Consecutive sides refer to two sides of a polygon that share a common vertex. In simpler terms, if you visualize a shape like a triangle or a square, consecutive sides are the sides that are next to each other.
For example, consider a square:
- The side along the bottom and the side going up on the left are consecutive sides.
- Similarly, the side on the bottom and the side going to the right are also consecutive sides.
Understanding consecutive sides is important in geometry, especially when calculating properties like perimeter and area, where the relationship between the sides matters. It helps in recognizing patterns and relationships within different geometric shapes.