How can you divide an angle into 3 equal angles? You may only use a straightedge and a compass to achieve this.

(This means : You have an angle A, you divide Angle A into 3 Angles B,C,D. And B=C=D=A/3)

Note: vohonam clarified that the problem actually only gives you a straightedge, not a ruler.

(In reply to eureka!!!!! by James)

7 now for the divideing of the angle!
7.1 set your compass to the length of one of those equil segments made in step 6.1-6.10
7.2 put your compass on either of the points made in step 3 and mark the line made in step 3
7.3 put your compass on the mark you just made and make another mark
7.4 now make lines that go from the origen of the original angle to the points made in steps 7.2 and 7.3

TADA!!!!!!!! you just trisected the angle!!!

btw it took me 5 min to figure this out :) :) :) :)
this method will work for any fraction just divide the line in step 6 into a dif number of segments.
sorry for the long drawn out hard to read directions :)

Posted by James on 2002-10-25 20:30:50