Why is sin(2*pi/7) a Non-Constructible Number?

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In summary, the reason why sin(2*pi/7) is non-constructible is because it cannot be obtained by intersecting lines and circles, which is the method used to construct numbers using a straight edge and compass. This is due to the fact that the minimal polynomial of sin(2*pi/7) is a cyclotomic polynomial, which has a degree of 5 and is not a power of 2. This violates the condition that a number must lie in an extension of degree 2^n to be constructible.
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keiop3
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why is the sin(2*pi/7) non-constructible?
 
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Becuase it doesn't lie in a quadratic extension of a quadratic extension of (etc) R: a number is constructible iff (using straight edge and compass) if it lies in an extension of degree 2^n for some n. The proof is elementary and a good exposition can be found in almost any Galois THeory book. To check this particular example find the minimal polynomial of sin2pi/7, which i imagine is the cycltomic x^5+x^4+x^3+x^2+x+1
 
  • #3
constructible means it is obtained by intersecting some lines and circles, hence given by quadratic equations. thus a sequence of extension fields of degree 2. since field extension degree is multiplicative, repeating them gives fields of degree 2^n. so any number satisfying an irreducible equation of degree not a power of 2 is not constructible.
 

FAQ: Why is sin(2*pi/7) a Non-Constructible Number?

What is a non-constructible number?

A non-constructible number is a real number that cannot be constructed using only basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and the extraction of square roots. In other words, it cannot be expressed as a finite combination of rational numbers and square roots.

How are non-constructible numbers different from irrational numbers?

Non-constructible numbers are a subset of irrational numbers. While all non-constructible numbers are irrational, not all irrational numbers are non-constructible. Some irrational numbers, such as pi or e, can be expressed as infinite series or continued fractions, while non-constructible numbers cannot.

Can non-constructible numbers be approximated?

Yes, non-constructible numbers can be approximated using decimal expansions or continued fractions. However, these approximations will always be finite and will never be equal to the exact value of the non-constructible number.

Why are non-constructible numbers important in mathematics?

Non-constructible numbers play a significant role in geometry and algebra. They help us understand the limitations of our basic arithmetic operations and the concept of constructibility in geometric constructions. They also have applications in number theory, where they are used to prove theorems about algebraic numbers.

Are there any well-known examples of non-constructible numbers?

Yes, there are several well-known examples of non-constructible numbers, such as the golden ratio, the square root of 2, and the cube root of 2. Other examples include algebraic numbers with irrational coefficients, such as √2 + √3, and numbers that cannot be expressed as the root of a polynomial with rational coefficients, such as π.

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