Tomahawk (geometric shape)

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The tomahawk is a geometric shape with an unknown inventor. The basic shape is constructible with compass and straightedge but is able to do much more than is possible with this method, primarily due to the ability of the tomahawk to be lined up with figures and make comparisons. It is possible to trisect an angle with the tomahawk by lining up one ray of the angle with point R in the picture, letting the vertex lie on SV, and letting the other ray tangent to semicircle SDU. Then, by congruent triangles BRS, BTS, and BTD, BS will trisect the angle.

External links

[MathWorld/Wolfram] contains other references
[Jim Loy] "cheating using other tools"

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