THE QUADRATURE OF THE LUNE

BRAD THOMPSON 753789 Begins with background of mathematics not based on proof or generalized formulas:
While Egyptians did use ropes with equal lengths to construct right angles [3,4,5 triangles] They did not attempt to prove the right triangle relationship. What the Egyptians actually used was the converse of the Pythagorean theorem. If a 2 + b 2 = c 2 , then BAC is a right triangle. Egyptians were even able to calculate the volume of a truncated pyramid (frustrum) but did not prove or justify their reasoning, nor did they derive a generalized formula. [ v = 1 h(a 2 + ab + b 2 ) ] 3

Discussion of origins of Greek mathematics

Thales [600 B.C.E.], regarded as the first mathematician, began to provide reasons as to why certain mathematical properties were true. He began working on basic geometric proofs, and is said to have proven: o Vertical angles are congruent, triangle sum theorem, isosceles base angle theorem, and the inscribed angle in a semicircle is right. o While these have not been directly attributed to Thales, it is believed that Euclid borrowed these and the style of Thales for the Elements Pythagoras [572 B.C.E.], was also influenced by Thales. The Pythagoreans dealt no only with the Pythagorean theorem, but with commensurable ratios, and in turn irrational numbers. Although, at the time, they were not prepared to deal with the prospect of numbers that could not be divided evenly by another whole number.

Discussion of Hippocrates of Chios [440 B.C.E.] and the Quadrature of the Lune
Hippocrates wrote the first edition of Elements. While it was not as mathematically solid as Euclids later work, it no doubt had an influence. But Hippocrates work, and proof, of the quadrature of the lune survived (albeit, being passed along over a thousand years) The Greeks were fascinated by symmetry and were very drawn to the concept of doubling or squaring a plane figure. But as with all classical Greek geometry, the only tools to be used were an unmarked straightedge and a compass. Hippocrates proof that an angle inscribed in a semicircle is a right angle is given.

Quadrature of the Rectangle

H

Construction given BCDE

B C

E F D

extend BE mark EF = ED bisect BF at G circle G, radius GF construct at E, extend to circle at point H construct EKLH with each side = EH

Proof is given in text.

Quadrature of the Triangle

F

Construction given BCD construct altitude DE bisect DE at F construct rectangle with GH = BC and HJ = EF
J

B K

Proof is in text

Quadrature of Polygons
Done by breaking polygon into triangles, which are quadrable.

Quadrature of the Lune [Great Theorem #1]

Construction of Hippocrates Lune
E F C

construct semicircle ACB with center O construct bisector from O to C on circle draw lines AC and CB bisect AC at D construct circle D, radius DC This creates lune AECF

Arealune AECF is equal to AreaACO Proof is in text

False argument for Squaring a Circle

This is construction of regular hexagon inscribed in a circle, where the diameter of the large circle is twice the diameter of the smaller circle. The problem with the argument used is that Hippocrates constructed his lune from an inscribed square. The lune created from an inscribed hexagon does not behave in the same manner.

F. Lindemann [German 1900 C.E.] proved that Squaring the Circle is impossible due to the transcendental nature of . [ can not be constructed using a compass and straightedge] Hippocrates was able to square three different kinds of lunes, with Euler adding two more kinds. Tschebatorew and Dorodnow (20th century) later proved that these five are the only ones possible to square.