FW: [Woodcarver] Geometry question for the group

[Tom Clarke]

Vic and Byron,

     Building a 13 point star. OK, they knew about string. Put a
stake in the ground. Tie a string. Draw a circle. Use the compass
and "approximate" your best guess. Mark 13 points on the circle.
Didn't work; too big, reduce compass width; too small, increase
compass width; try again. Will come a time you'll "hit" it right.
Now you've got your 13 points, use straightedge to draw connections.
Do this twice on measured diameter circles and then you've got a
way to more closely approximate the compass setting. This guy is
talking about "with mathematical precision" and the error of the
material in which you'll be making it obviates the necessity. What
they'd have come up with is certainly "good enough".

Tom (nj)


-----Original Message-----
From: woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net
[mailto:woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net]On Behalf Of Victor
Hamburger
Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 4:28 PM
To: Byron Kinnaman; [Woodcarver]
Subject: Re: FW: [Woodcarver] Geometry question for the group


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Byron Kinnaman wrote:
>
> Here's a site that talks about making 13 point stars. I still
haven't figured out how to make the 13 sided polygon.
>
>
http://home.wanadoo.nl/zefdamen/Reconstructions/EtchilhamptonHill04/et
chilhamptonhill2004en.htm

Byron,

Thanks for that pointer, it answers my question, "Is it possible to
construct a
13 point star with traditional instruments of compass and straight
edge?"
Partway down the link the author says you cannot construct an 11,13 or
7 sided
figure exactly with these tools.  SO, that brings me back to Susan's
ideas and
one that I found in an old text book, "drawing Sketching and blueprint
reading",
a 40 yr old volume that was sitting on my shelf.  I think You can
construct a 13
sided figure with traditional drafting methods based on projections
and working
with 3d figures.  (but no protractor!)

Thanks to all who took the time to "play" with this question for me!

	Vic H


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