Difference between revisions of "Trisection of an angle"
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| − | The special case of trisection using only ruler-and-compass construction was one of the classical problems of Antiquity. The solution of the problem of trisecting an angle reduces to finding rational roots of a cubic equation $4x^3-3x-\cos\phi=0$, where $x=\cos(\phi/3)$, which, in general, is not solvable by quadratic radicals: that is, the roots of the general cubic do not lie in the field of [[ | + | The problem of dividing an angle into three equal parts. |
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| + | The special case of trisection using only ruler-and-compass construction was one of the classical problems of Antiquity. The solution of the problem of trisecting an angle $\phi$ reduces to finding rational roots of a cubic equation $4x^3-3x-\cos\phi=0$, where $x=\cos(\phi/3)$, which, in general, is not solvable by quadratic radicals: that is, the roots of the general cubic do not lie in the field of [[constructible number]]s. Thus, the problem of trisecting a general angle cannot be solved by means of ruler and compass, as was proved in 1837 by P. Wantzel. However, such a construction is possible for angles $m\cdot90^\circ/2^n$, where $n,m$ are integers. | ||
The problem may be solved by using other means and instruments of construction (for example, the [[Dinostratus quadratrix]] or the [[conchoid]]). | The problem may be solved by using other means and instruments of construction (for example, the [[Dinostratus quadratrix]] or the [[conchoid]]). | ||
Latest revision as of 13:05, 7 December 2014
2020 Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary: 51M04 Secondary: 01A [MSN][ZBL]
The problem of dividing an angle into three equal parts.
The special case of trisection using only ruler-and-compass construction was one of the classical problems of Antiquity. The solution of the problem of trisecting an angle $\phi$ reduces to finding rational roots of a cubic equation $4x^3-3x-\cos\phi=0$, where $x=\cos(\phi/3)$, which, in general, is not solvable by quadratic radicals: that is, the roots of the general cubic do not lie in the field of constructible numbers. Thus, the problem of trisecting a general angle cannot be solved by means of ruler and compass, as was proved in 1837 by P. Wantzel. However, such a construction is possible for angles $m\cdot90^\circ/2^n$, where $n,m$ are integers.
The problem may be solved by using other means and instruments of construction (for example, the Dinostratus quadratrix or the conchoid).
References
| [1] | Yu.I. Manin, "Ueber die Lösbarkeit von Konstruktionsaufgaben mit Zirkel und Lineal" , Enzyklopaedie der Elementarmathematik , 4. Geometrie , Deutsch. Verlag Wissenschaft. (1969) pp. 205–230 (Translated from Russian) |
Comments
The problem of trisection of an angle, like duplication of the cube, is one of the problems dealt with in Galois theory, cf. also [a3].
A remarkable result on trisection of the angles of a triangle is F. Morley's theorem (1899), stating that the three points of intersection of the adjacent trisectors of the angles of an arbitrary triangle form an equilateral triangle (cf. [a1]).
References
| [a1] | H.S.M. Coxeter, "Introduction to geometry" , Wiley (1961) |
| [a2] | W.W.R. Ball, H.S.M. Coxeter, "Mathematical recreations and essays" , Dover, reprint (1987) |
| [a3] | I. Stewart, "Galois theory" , Chapman & Hall (1973) pp. Chapt. 5 |
Trisection of an angle. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Trisection_of_an_angle&oldid=35445