An impossible construction

UNSPECIFIED (2013) An impossible construction. At Right Angles, 2 (1). p. 65.

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Abstract

It is well known that there is no general procedure for trisecting an angle using only a compass and unmarked ruler (naturally, we must stick to the rules governing geometric constructions). In particular, a 60° angle cannot be so trisected. This implies that a 20° angle cannot be constructed using such means. However, here is a construction which appears to do the impossible! Throughout, the notation ‘Circle(P,Q)’ means: “circle with centre P, passing through Q” (for a given pair of points P, Q). We start with any two points O and A (see Figure 1) and follow the steps given below.

Item Type:	Articles in APF Magazines
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Transecting, Compass, Construction, Trisecting.
Subjects:	Natural Sciences > Mathematics
Divisions:	Azim Premji University > University publications > At Right Angles
Depositing User:	Mr. Sachin Tirlapur
Date Deposited:	21 Nov 2018 16:01
Last Modified:	21 Nov 2018 16:01
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjifoundation.org/id/eprint/1764
Publisher URL:

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