Constructible regular polygons with ruler and compass (without computer)

Geometry Level 3

How many sides has the third smallest regular polygon which is not constructible with rule and compass?


The answer is 11.

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1 solution

Gauss's Theorem .-

A regular polygon is constructible with rule and compass if and only if ϕ ( n ) \phi(n) is a power of 2 2 . ( ϕ \phi denotes Euler's totient function )


ϕ ( 3 ) = 2 \phi (3) = 2\Rightarrow equilateral triangle is constructible with rule and compass.

ϕ ( 4 ) = 2 \phi(4) = 2\Rightarrow square is constructible with rule and compass.

ϕ ( 5 ) = 4 = 2 2 \phi(5) = 4 = 2^2 \Rightarrow regular pentagon is constructible with rule and compass.

ϕ ( 6 ) = 2 \phi (6) = 2 \Rightarrow regular hexagon is constructible with rule and compass.

ϕ ( 7 ) = 6 \phi(7) = 6 \Rightarrow 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 \phi(8) = 4 = 2^2 \Rightarrow regular octagon is constructible with rule and compass.

ϕ ( 9 ) = 6 \phi(9) = 6 \Rightarrow regular eneagon is not constructible with rule and compass. This is the second smallest regular polygon not constructible with rule and compass.

ϕ ( 10 ) = 4 = 2 2 \phi(10) = 4 = 2^2 \Rightarrow regular decagon is constructible with rule and compass.

ϕ ( 11 ) = 10 \phi(11) = 10 \Rightarrow regular endecagon is the third smallest regular polygon not constructible with rule and compass.

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