The Minimal Instruments of Geometry – II

Warhadpande, Mahit (2022) The Minimal Instruments of Geometry – II. At Right Angles (13). pp. 12-16. ISSN 2582-1873

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Abstract

In the first part of this article, we introduced three alternative geometrical toolkits: (a) the straight edge and collapsible compass of Euclid, (b) the ruler, compass, and protractor of Birkhoff and Beatley, and (c) the rope of the Shulbasutras. We also discussed some rope-based geometrical constructions. In this second part, let us compare how these toolkits fare against some historical geometrical construction problems. We also ponder the construction of the ‘tools’ themselves, for example, how might we establish whether a straight edge is indeed straight and so on.

Item Type: Articles in APF Magazines
Authors: Warhadpande, Mahit
Document Language:
Language
English
Uncontrolled Keywords: Euclid, plane geometry, instrument box, ruler, compass, protractor, rope, geometrical constructions, shulbasutra
Subjects: Natural Sciences > Mathematics
Divisions: Azim Premji University > University Publications > At Right Angles
Full Text Status: Public
URI: http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/3745
Publisher URL:

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