The n-point of a planar convex polygon is defined through a geometric optimization problem associated with a 'balance' functional and wedge set. The balance functional provides a measure of the imbalance of the polygon induced through the wedge set and the n-point is defined as the point which minimizes the balance functional. The classical six-partite point is the point where three lines pass through and subdivide the polygon into six equal area subsets. The n-point and six-partite point are solved through enumerative search strategies and examples are used throughout to illustrate the solution techniques. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.