How many sides has the third smallest regular polygon which is not constructible with rule and compass?
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Gauss's Theorem .-
A regular polygon is constructible with rule and compass if and only if ϕ ( n ) is a power of 2 . ( ϕ denotes Euler's totient function )
ϕ ( 3 ) = 2 ⇒ equilateral triangle is constructible with rule and compass.
ϕ ( 4 ) = 2 ⇒ square is constructible with rule and compass.
ϕ ( 5 ) = 4 = 2 2 ⇒ regular pentagon is constructible with rule and compass.
ϕ ( 6 ) = 2 ⇒ regular hexagon is constructible with rule and compass.
ϕ ( 7 ) = 6 ⇒ regular heptagon is not constructible with rule and compass. This is the smallest regular polygon not contructible with rule and compass.
ϕ ( 8 ) = 4 = 2 2 ⇒ regular octagon is constructible with rule and compass.
ϕ ( 9 ) = 6 ⇒ regular eneagon is not constructible with rule and compass. This is the second smallest regular polygon not constructible with rule and compass.
ϕ ( 1 0 ) = 4 = 2 2 ⇒ regular decagon is constructible with rule and compass.
ϕ ( 1 1 ) = 1 0 ⇒ regular endecagon is the third smallest regular polygon not constructible with rule and compass.