[Math] Dividing an angle into $n$ equal parts

geometric-constructiongeometry

My question is simply: for which values of $n$ is it possible to divide any given angle into $n$ equal parts using only a compass and a straight edge? I know that it is possible for $2$ and not possible for $3$, but is it possible for any integers that are not of the form $2^k$?

Best Answer

The only possibility is indeed numbers of the form $2^k$.

We use the famous characterization of constructible regular polygons. The $\frac{360^\circ}{N}$ angle is straight edge and compass constructible if and only if $N$ is of the shape $$N=2^k p_1\cdots p_s,\tag{1}$$ where the $p_i$ are distinct Fermat primes (possibly none).

This theorem rules out immediately all numbers $N$ not of the shape (1). But it also rules out the numbers of shape (i) where the number $s$ of Fermat primes in the factorization is non-zero.

For the theorem says that if $N$ involves one or more Fermat primes, then the $\frac{360^\circ}{N}$ angle cannot be straight-edge and compass divided into $N$ equal parts.

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