Oval Drawn with Compass

Problem

How can an oval be drawn with one turn of a compass?

Solution

By wrapping the paper around a circular cylinder, drawing the circle, then unwrapping the paper.

$\blacksquare$

Historical Note

This puzzle is typical of those found in collections of Victorian amusements.

Sources

• 1633: Henry van Etten: Mathematicall Recreations (translated by William Oughtred from Récréations Mathématiques)
• 1992: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Puzzles ... (previous) ... (next): Henry van Etten: $121$