1,777 research outputs found

    A Rigorous Geometrical Proof on Constructability of Magnitudes (A Classical Geometric Solution for the Factors: √2 and √(3&2))

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    In the absence of a comprehensive geometrical perceptive on the nature of rational (commensurate) and irrational (incommensurate) geometric magnitudes, a solution to the ages-old problem on the constructability of magnitudes of the forms  and  (the square root of two and the cube root of two as used in modern mathematics and sciences) would remain a mystery. The primary goal of this paper is to reveal a pure geometrical proof for solving the construction of rational and irrational geometric magnitudes (those based on straight lines) and refute the established notion that magnitudes of form  are not geometrically constructible. The work also establishes a rigorous relationship between geometrical methods of proof as applied in Euclidean geometry, and the non-Euclidean methods of proof, to correct a misconception governing the geometrical understanding of irrational magnitudes (expressions). The established proof is based on a philosophical certainty that "the algebraic notion of irrationality" is not a geometrical concept but rather, a misrepresentative language used as a means of proof that a certain problem is geometrically impossible

    Geometric constructibility of cyclic polygons and a limit theorem

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    We study convex cyclic polygons, that is, inscribed nn-gons. Starting from P. Schreiber's idea, published in 1993, we prove that these polygons are not constructible from their side lengths with straightedge and compass, provided nn is at least five. They are non-constructible even in the particular case where they only have two different integer side lengths, provided that n6n\neq 6. To achieve this goal, we develop two tools of separate interest. First, we prove a limit theorem stating that, under reasonable conditions, geometric constructibility is preserved under taking limits. To do so, we tailor a particular case of Puiseux's classical theorem on some generalized power series, called Puiseux series, over algebraically closed fields to an analogous theorem on these series over real square root closed fields. Second, based on Hilbert's irreducibility theorem, we give a \emph{rational parameter theorem} that, under reasonable conditions again, turns a non-constructibility result with a transcendental parameter into a non-constructibility result with a rational parameter. For nn even and at least six, we give an elementary proof for the non-constructibility of the cyclic nn-gon from its side lengths and, also, from the \emph{distances} of its sides from the center of the circumscribed circle. The fact that the cyclic nn-gon is constructible from these distances for n=4n=4 but non-constructible for n=3n=3 exemplifies that some conditions of the limit theorem cannot be omitted.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figur
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