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The squaring a circle with compass and straightedge has been known to be impossible for 140 years. We're obviously talking about the version of the problem eve
by mlyle 5y ago
The squaring a circle with compass and straightedge has been known to be impossible for 140 years.
We're obviously talking about the version of the problem everyone's been working on for roughly the last 100.
- whatshisface 5y agoThen you must agree that the problem that was solved is not in the literal sense of the word "ancient."
- mlyle 5y agoThis is just a further result: - You can't do it with a compass and a straightedge, like the ancients were trying (1880's?) - You can't do it with scissors, either (mid-20th century?) - But with modern mathematics, and really complicated shapes-- you can. (now).
- ruggeri 5y agoIt might be obvious to people who are familiar with the problem. In fact, the title confused (and baited) me because I was familiar with the problem, but not the new formulation.