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Mascheroni Construction

A geometric construction done with a movable Compass alone. All constructions possible with a Compass and Straightedge are possible with a movable Compass alone, as was proved by Mascheroni (1797). Mascheroni's results are now known to have been anticipated largely by Mohr (1672).

See also Compass, Geometric Construction, Neusis Construction, Straightedge


References

Ball, W. W. R. and Coxeter, H. S. M. Mathematical Recreations and Essays, 13th ed. New York: Dover, pp. 96-97, 1987.

Bogomolny, A. ``Geometric Constructions with the Compass Alone.'' http://www.cut-the-knot.com/do_you_know/compass.html.

Courant, R. and Robbins, H. ``Constructions with Other Tools. Mascheroni Constructions with Compass Alone.'' §3.5 in What is Mathematics?: An Elementary Approach to Ideas and Methods, 2nd ed. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, pp. 146-158, 1996.

Dörrie, H. ``Mascheroni's Compass Problem.'' §33 in 100 Great Problems of Elementary Mathematics: Their History and Solutions. New York: Dover, pp. 160-164, 1965.

Gardner, M. ``Mascheroni Constructions.'' Ch. 17 in Mathematical Circus: More Puzzles, Games, Paradoxes and Other Mathematical Entertainments from Scientific American. New York: Knopf, pp. 216-231, 1979.

Mascheroni, L. Geometry of Compass. Pavia, Italy, 1797.

Mohr, G. Euclides Danicus. Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1672.




© 1996-9 Eric W. Weisstein
1999-05-26