A Hierarchy of Geometric Constructions

Fuente: arXiv
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Autore principale: Maarefvand, MohammadJavad
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Maarefvand, MohammadJavad
author_facet Maarefvand, MohammadJavad
contents This article explores the limits of geometric construction using various tools, both classical and modern. Starting with ruler and compass constructions, we examine how adding methods such as origami, marked rulers (neusis), conic sections, mechanical linkages, and certain transcendental curves expands the range of constructible numbers. These methods allow the construction of increasingly complex numbers from square roots, to cube roots, to all algebraic numbers, and in some cases to specific transcendental constants like pi and e. We explain how field theory gives a precise way to understand these constructions, and how computability theory shows that no finite geometric method can produce every computable number. In particular, no construction process that can be described step by step can reach uncomputable numbers. The article concludes by presenting a hierarchy of geometric methods, showing how each step increases what is possible, while still leaving strict theoretical limits in place.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2510_15858
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A Hierarchy of Geometric Constructions
Maarefvand, MohammadJavad
History and Overview
51M04, 12F10, 03D10
This article explores the limits of geometric construction using various tools, both classical and modern. Starting with ruler and compass constructions, we examine how adding methods such as origami, marked rulers (neusis), conic sections, mechanical linkages, and certain transcendental curves expands the range of constructible numbers. These methods allow the construction of increasingly complex numbers from square roots, to cube roots, to all algebraic numbers, and in some cases to specific transcendental constants like pi and e. We explain how field theory gives a precise way to understand these constructions, and how computability theory shows that no finite geometric method can produce every computable number. In particular, no construction process that can be described step by step can reach uncomputable numbers. The article concludes by presenting a hierarchy of geometric methods, showing how each step increases what is possible, while still leaving strict theoretical limits in place.
title A Hierarchy of Geometric Constructions
topic History and Overview
51M04, 12F10, 03D10
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.15858