30 Nov
2012
30 Nov
'12
12:43 p.m.
At 08:48 AM 11/25/2012, Robert Baillie wrote:
here is an interesting (58 minute) bbc documentary that explains in more detail how the device actually works, as far as we know today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rUsgL2VGeU
many of the gears had a prime number of teeth. this was very helpful in figuring out what the device was used for, and how it worked.
Fabulous video; highly recommended!! Ok, all you algebra geeks: these gears with prime numbers of teeth had to be built, so which of the prime numbers in this device are "constructible" using a straight-edge and compass ? For the non-constructible numbers, how did the Greeks construct them? Which additional operations were allowed to enable the construction of those gear wheels ?