A Guide to Growing Vegetables in Containers

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Albert1
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the constructibility of angles using a ruler and compass, specifically addressing the angle trisection problem. Participants confirm that an angle of 24 degrees can be constructed from a 72-degree angle, which is derived from the constructible regular pentagon. The discussion references the historical context of angle trisection attributed to Hippocrates, emphasizing the mathematical principles behind constructibility and the limitations of certain angles, such as 20 degrees.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic geometric constructions with a ruler and compass
  • Familiarity with the concept of constructible numbers
  • Knowledge of angle trisection and its historical significance
  • Basic algebraic concepts related to field extensions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of constructible numbers and their implications in geometry
  • Study the historical methods of angle trisection, particularly Hippocrates' approach
  • Explore the relationship between regular polygons and constructible angles
  • Learn about algebraic extensions and their role in determining constructibility
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, geometry enthusiasts, educators teaching geometric constructions, and students studying the history of mathematics.

Albert1
Messages
1,221
Reaction score
0

Attachments

  • Angle AED.jpg
    Angle AED.jpg
    8.4 KB · Views: 117
Mathematics news on Phys.org
I'm thinking perhaps you have another elegant solution at hand but I'm going to post my "weak" solution here nevertheless:o:
First we let $\angle AED=\alpha$, and $DE=2k,\,AB=k$.

Applying the Sine Rule on both the triangles $AED$ and $ABE$ we see that

$\dfrac{2k}{\sin 90^{\circ}}=\dfrac{AE}{\sin (90-\alpha)^{\circ}}$ and $\dfrac{k}{\sin \alpha}=\dfrac{AE}{\sin (\alpha-18)^{\circ}}$

Dividing the first by the second equation yields

$\begin{align*}\sin (\alpha-18)^{\circ}&=2\sin \alpha \sin (90-\alpha)^{\circ}\\&=2\sin \alpha \cos \alpha\\&=\sin 2\alpha\end{align*}$

Since $0<2\alpha<180^{\circ}$, we must alter the expression inside the sine function of $\sin (\alpha-18)^{\circ}$ such that we have

$\sin (180-(\alpha-18))^{\circ}=\sin 2\alpha$

Solving it for $\alpha$ we obtain $\alpha=66^{\circ}$.
 
Last edited:
anemone said:
I'm thinking perhaps you have another elegant solution at hand but I'm going to post my "weak" solution here nevertheless:o:
First we let $\angle AED=\alpha$, and $DE=2k,\,AB=k$.

Applying the Sine Rule on both the triangles $AED$ and $ABE$ we see that

$\dfrac{2k}{\sin 90^{\circ}}=\dfrac{AE}{\sin (90-\alpha)^{\circ}}$ and $\dfrac{k}{\sin \alpha}=\dfrac{AE}{\sin (\alpha-18)^{\circ}}$

Dividing the first by the second equation yields

$\begin{align*}\sin (\alpha-18)^{\circ}&=2\sin \alpha \sin (90-\alpha)^{\circ}\\&=2\sin \alpha \cos \alpha\\&=\sin 2\alpha\end{align*}$

Since $0<2\alpha<180^{\circ}$, we must alter the expression inside the sine function of $\sin (\alpha-18)^{\circ}$ such that we have

$\sin (180-(\alpha-18))^{\circ}=\sin 2\alpha$

Solving it for $\alpha$ we obtain $\alpha=66^{\circ}$.
your solution is also very nice!
 
Albert.
I found your parallelogram very interesting. You may well have observed this, but here is something. If angle ABC in the parallelogram is "arbitrary" $$\theta$$, the parallelogram is constructible with ruler and compass iff $${\theta\over 3}$$ is constructible. Shown is an angle of 60 degrees. Of course, a 20 degree angle is not constructible.View attachment 3336
 

Attachments

  • MHBgeometry13.png
    MHBgeometry13.png
    10.2 KB · Views: 100
johng said:
Albert.
I found your parallelogram very interesting. You may well have observed this, but here is something. If angle ABC in the parallelogram is "arbitrary" $$\theta$$, the parallelogram is constructible with ruler and compass iff $${\theta\over 3}$$ is constructible. Shown is an angle of 60 degrees. Of course, a 20 degree angle is not constructible.https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/3336
yes it is very interesting
given $\angle ABC=72^o$
using compass and ruler only ,
Can we construct an angle=$24^o ?$
 
Albert,
Years ago I taught constructibility of numbers from an algebraic standpoint (degree of an extension field). So I remembered cos(20 degree) is not constructible. For 24 degrees:
First, the regular pentagon is constructible and hence an angle of 72. So 3=(72-(45+30)) is constructible. Thus 24 degrees is constructible by constructing 3 degree angles 8 times.

I surfed a little and found the 2500 year old trisection method (due to Hippocrates?) -- Angle Trisection by Hippocrates This is really just a variation of your parallelogram.
 
johng said:
Albert,
Years ago I taught constructibility of numbers from an algebraic standpoint (degree of an extension field). So I remembered cos(20 degree) is not constructible. For 24 degrees:
First, the regular pentagon is constructible and hence an angle of 72. So 3=(72-(45+30)) is constructible. Thus 24 degrees is constructible by constructing 3 degree angles 8 times.

I surfed a little and found the 2500 year old trisection method (due to Hippocrates?) -- Angle Trisection by Hippocrates This is really just a variation of your parallelogram.
johng
well done!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K