Squaring the circle. 17th-century diagram showing geometrical calculations related to the problem known as 'squaring the circle'. Also known as 'quadr

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Squaring the circle. 17th-century diagram showing geometrical calculations related to the problem known as 'squaring the circle'. Also known as 'quadrature of the circle', this problem involves the attempt to construct a square of the same area as a given circle using a finite number of manipulations. In 1882, it was shown that this task was impossible due to the transcendental nature of the number 'pi' (the ratio of a circle's circumference and its diameter). This diagram is from 'Quadratura circuli nova' (New quadrature of the circle, 1608) by Thomas Brugmann.

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Size: 4259px × 4159px
Photo credit: © MIDDLE TEMPLE LIBRARY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 1600s, 1608, 17th, artwork, book, brugmann, century, circle, circular, circuli, conundrum, diagram, geometrical, geometry, historical, history, illustration, impossible, manuscript, mathematical, mathematics, nova, page, problem, publication, quadratura, quadrature, renaissance, square, squaring, theorem, thomas, transcendental