Dividing the circle

DOI10.1080/07468342.2018.1440871MaRDI QIDQ4581738zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Pedro J. Freitas, Hugo Tavares

Publication date 20 August 2018

Published in The College Mathematics Journal (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/1507.07970

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Geometric constructions in real or complex geometry (51M15) Plane and solid geometry (educational aspects) (97G40)

Abstract: There are known constructions for some regular polygons, usually inscribed in a circle, but not for all polygons - the Gauss-Wantzel Theorem states precisely which ones can be constructed. The constructions differ greatly from one polygon to the other. There are, however, general processes for determining the side of the $n$-gon (approximately, but sometimes with great precision), which we describe in this paper. We present a joint mathematical analysis of the so-called Bion and Tempier approximation methods, comparing the errors and trying to explain why these constructions would work at all.

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Cites work

• A New Angle on an Old Construction: Approximating Inscribed n-gons
• Almada Negreiros and the geometric canon
• Galois theory

Cited in

(6)

• Cutting circles into equal area pieces
• Geometry of the icosikaidigon in Orvieto cathedral
• Mathematical surprises
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 5166732 (Why is no real title available?)
• The mathematics of Almada Negreiros
• Zig-Zag Paths and Neusis Constructions of a Heptagon and a Nonagon

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