9/10/2018 Constructible Number -- from Wolfram MathWorld

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Constructible Number THINGS TO TRY:
A number which can be represented by a finite number of additions, subtractions, multiplications, divisions, and finite 21.80144366645
square root extractions of integers. Such numbers correspond to line segments which can be constructed using only cubic crystal family
straightedge and compass. median 98.17, 112.3, 102.6, 94.3
108.1
All rational numbers are constructible, and all constructible numbers are algebraic numbers (Courant and Robbins
1996, p. 133). If a cubic equation with rational coefficients has no rational root, then none of its roots is constructible
(Courant and Robbins 1996, p. 136).

Recreational Mathematics In particular, let be the field of rationals. Now construct an extension field of constructible numbers by the
adjunction of , where is in , but is not, consisting of all numbers of the form , where
Topology
. Next, construct an extension field of by the adjunction of , defined as the numbers
Alphabetical Index
Interactive Entries , where , and is a number in for which does not lie in . Continue the process
Random Entry times. Then constructible numbers are precisely those which can be reached by such a sequence of extension fields
New in MathWorld , where is a measure of the "complexity" of the construction (Courant and Robbins 1996).

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About MathWorld Algebraic Number, Compass, Constructible Polygon, Euclidean Number, Euclidean Tools, Rational Number,
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Last updated: Sat Sep 8 2018
REFERENCES:
Bold, B. "Achievement of the Ancient Greeks" and "An Analytic Criterion for Contractibility." Chs. 1-2 in Famous Problems of
Geometry and How to Solve Them. New York: Dover, pp. 1-17, 1982.
Courant, R. and Robbins, H. "Constructible Numbers and Number Fields." §3.2 in What Is Mathematics?: An Elementary
Approach to Ideas and Methods, 2nd ed. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, pp. 127-134, 1996.
Referenced on Wolfram|Alpha: Constructible Number

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CITE THIS AS:
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at Wolfram Research Weisstein, Eric W. "Constructible Number." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource.
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