Constructing a Nine-Sided Regular Polygon Using Unmarked Straightedge and Compass and Its Proof with the Archimedes

Method Rodolfo A. Nieves Rivas fesol7luzley@gmail.com Abstract This paper presents a method for constructing a regular polygon of nine sides or regular enneagon. Then we prove the accuracy of such construction by using the method of Archimedes. Hence, concluding with the trisection of an angle of 60. Keywords: Regular enneagon; method of Archimedes; trisection of an angle Introduction This article presents a method for constructing a nine sided regular polygon or regular enneagon. We use for such construction the software Geogebra which keeps the conditions of Euclidean and elementary geometry which demands the exclusive use of unmarked straightedge and compass. Then to prove the accuracy of this construction we use the method of Archimedes. Thus ending the trisection of an angle of 60

Main Theorem: The interception point of the common side of two central supplementary angles and the line segment that joints the midpoint of the chord of one of them to the midpoint arc of the other, determines an inscribed trisector angle whose vertex is the end point of the diameter of the circumscribed circumference, whose radii is equal to the sides of the trisected central angle. Construction of Figure 1 Step One: With the compass centered at point A and opening AC construct a circumference of radius: AC and diameter EC. Step Two: With the straightedge and compass construct a perpendicular line to point: A determining in the circumference point B. Step Three: With the compass centered at points: C and E construct two circumferences of radius: AC and AE respectively. Determining points: M and D in the circumference of diameter: CE. Step Four: With the straightedge draw a parallel straight line: DF to the straight line: BA. Thus, determining point: F in the line segment: AC. Step Five: With the straightedge draw segments: ED and DC, constructing an inscribed rectangular triangle. Then, draw the line segment: DA, determining two supplementary angles: 120 and 60 respectively. Where: EAD = 120 and DAC = 60 with the Common: DA Step Six: With the straightedge and compass bisect angles: EAD=120 and the angle DAC= 60 Determining in this way points: M and Q respectively on the circumference of diameter: EC and besides you get point: P on the chord: ED. Step Seven: With the straightedge draw line segments: BF and PQ. Thus determining the point: G in common side: DA supplementary angles: EAD = 120 and DAC = 60
Step Eight: With the straightedge draw a segment of line from: the point: E passing through point G and extends until point: H on the circumference of diameter: EC. Then join points: H to A. Determining the angles: DAH= 20 and HAC= 40 where: DAH + HAC = DAC = 60 . Proof: Using the Method of Archimedes. (See figures 7, 8, 9 and 10)

Figure 1

Construction of a Regular Polygon of Nine Sides (See figures 2 and 3)

Figure 2

Figure 3

Method to Trisect Supplementary Angles: Based on the following theorem: If two supplementary angles are trisected. Then the two trisectrices adjacent to the common side of these two supplementary angles determine an angle of 60 .

Example: 60 and 120 (See figure 4)

Figure 4 Remark: The CAD triangle is equilateral.

Example: 30 and 150 (See figure 5)

Figure 5 Remark: The CAD triangle is equilateral.

Example: 72 and 108 (See Figure 6)

Figure 6 Remark: The CAD triangle is equilateral.

Method Applied to the Construction of an Angle of 20 (See figure 7)

Construction of Figure 7 Step One: With the straightedge and compass construct two perpendicular straight lines with point of interception: A. Then with the compass centered in point: A and opening of radius: AC construct a circumference determining points: B, D, E and C with the interception of the circumference and the perpendicular straight lines. Step Two: With the compass centered in point: C and opening: CA as radius, construct another circumference determining with both, points: F and G. Then, join points: F and G with a segment of line perpendicular to the diameter: DC, determining point: H in the radius: AC. Step Three: With the straightedge join points: D to point: F and then point: C getting an inscribed angle in the circumference of radius: AC. Then join points: F to point: A getting two supplementary angles: DAF= 120 and FAC=60 with common side: FA Step Four: With the straightedge and compass bisect two angles: determining point: K in the chord: DF and point: L in the arc: FC. DAF and FAC

Step Five: With the straightedge join points: K and L determining point: I in the line segment: FA common of the two supplementary angles: DAF and FAC and then join points: B to H passing the line segment: BH by point: I Step Six: With the straightedge draw a segment line: DI from point: D until point: H extending to get point: J in the arc: FC, determining an inscribed angle: JDC = 20

Figure 7

Proof using the Method of Archimedes (See figures 8, 9 and 10)

Figure 8

Figure 9

Conclusion and Discussion: With the results in the construction and proof of an angle of twenty degrees is determined a real solution or zero of a cubic equation of the form: If: Cos3x = 4 (cosx)3-3Cosx Where:X3-3x = 1 Then:X1 = 2Cos20 = 1.879385242 ... 3 And when:X - 3x = -1 Then:X2 = 2Cos40 = 1.53208886 ... And for:2x3-6x = 0 Then:X3 = Square root of three

References
[1] Alvis Gonzlez, Victor S & R. lvarez, Los trabajos de Gauss sobre la teora de las paralelas, In: Victor S. Albis (ed.), A C. F. Gauss (1983), Universidad Nacional de Colombia (departamento de Matemticas y Estadstica), Bogot. [2] Hemmerling. Edwin M. Geometra Elemental. Mxico. Limusa, 1971. 498 p. [3] Rich. Barnett. Geometra. Mxico. Mc Grawhill, 1993. 395 p. [4] Jurgensen, R.C., Donnelly, A. J. and Dolciani, M. P. Th. 42 in Modern Geometry: Structure and Method. Boston, MA: Houghton-Mifflin, 1963. [5] Pedoe, D. Circles: A Mathematical View, rev. ed. Washington, DC: Math. Assoc. Amer., pp. xxi-xxii, 1995. [6] Erik Oberg, Franklin D. Jones, Holbrook L. Editores Erik Oberg, Franklin D. Jones, Edicin 22, Ilustrada Editorial Industria Press, 1966. Universidad de Michigan. 14 p. 79-80 pp. [7] H.S.M. Coxeter, Fundamentos de Geometra, Ed. Limusa -Wyley, 1971. [8] H.S.M. Coxeter & S.L. Greitzer, The Mathematical Association of America. New Mathematical Library. N 19. 1967.