2007-05-09 15:32:17 · 5 answers · asked by sandra d 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
It's possible, but only if you cheat by making a mark on the straightedge during construction.
2007-05-09 16:14:45 · answer #1 · answered by Scythian1950 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, yes you can trisect specific angles, but not an arbitrary one.
Pierre Laurent Wantzel disproved the possibility. Check out this link for more information on the problem:
http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.impossible.construct.html
"The impossibility proofs depend on the fact that the only quantities you can obtain by doing straightedge-and-compass constructions are those you can get from the given quantities by using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and by taking square roots. These numbers are called Euclidean numbers, and you can think of them as the numbers that can be obtained by repeatedly solving the quadratic equation."
2007-05-09 15:34:14 · answer #2 · answered by NSurveyor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i actually hate interruptions which retains me from answering exciting questions like this. the tactic is easy. 2/7 ? is the chord attitude of a heptagon, so first draw a circle, charm to 3/7 ?, then use the compass to many times mark the chord lengths around the circle till there are 7 factors in it, at which you've got trisected the unique chord attitude 3/7 ?.
2016-12-11 05:14:30 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO, NO Impossible.
2007-05-09 15:43:45 · answer #4 · answered by Robert L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nuh-uh
2007-05-09 15:38:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋