Trisecting the Angle/Archimedean Spiral

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Theorem

Let $\alpha$ be an angle which is to be trisected.

This can be achieved by means of an Archimedean spiral.


Construction

TrisectSpiral.png

In the figure, the blue line is an Archimedean spiral.

Let $\angle AOB$ be the angle to be trisected, where $OB$ is on the polar axis.

Trisect the segment $OA$ such that $OC = \dfrac 1 3 OA$.

Draw a circle with $O$ as the center and $OC$ as the radius.

Let $D$ be the intersection of the circle and the spiral.

Then $\angle DOB = \dfrac 1 3 \angle AOB$.


Proof

Let the equation of the Archimedean spiral be $r = a \theta$.

Then:

\(\ds \angle DOB\) \(=\) \(\ds \frac {OD} a\)
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \frac {OA/3} a\)
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \frac 1 3 \angle AOB\)

$\blacksquare$


Also see


Historical Note

Use of the Archimedean spiral to trisect an angle was a standard technique for mathematicians following Archimedes.