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> Get the master of arithmetic to show you how to square a triangle. What did he mean by this?
by gravypod 10y ago
> Get the master of arithmetic to show you how to square a triangle.
What did he mean by this?
- kalid 10y agoI think he meant finding the square whose area is equal to that of a given triangle. With our "modern" understanding of algebra and geometry, we know to do Area = 1/2 * base * height Area = s^2 therefore s = sqrt(1/2 * base * height) "Squaring the circle" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squaring_the_circle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squaring_the_circle) was an ancient challenge, proven to be impossible with a straightedge and compass in the 1800s. He may have been trying to square the triangle with just those tools.
- theoh 10y agoSee http://www.contracosta.edu/legacycontent/math/TriangleToSquare.htm http://www.contracosta.edu/legacycontent/math/TriangleToSqua...