Definition:Compass and Straightedge Construction/Also known as

Compass and Straightedge Construction: Also known as

A compass and straightedge construction has some obvious alternatives:

straightedge and compass construction

compass and straight-edge construction

compass-and-straightedge construction

and so on.

Use whatever you feel comfortable with.

Some sources use the term Euclidean construction.

Some sources use the term Euclidean tools, while others recognize that term but decry it.

Some sources use the word ruler for straightedge, but this can be confused with a device which has markings on it to allow measurement; a true Euclidean straightedge has no such markings.

Sources

• 1989: Ephraim J. Borowski and Jonathan M. Borwein: Dictionary of Mathematics ... (previous) ... (next): Euclidean construction
• 1969: C.R.J. Clapham: Introduction to Abstract Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $8$: Field Extensions: $\S 40$. Construction with Ruler and Compasses
• 1992: George F. Simmons: Calculus Gems ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {B}.18$: Algebraic and Transcendental Numbers. $e$ is Transcendental
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Euclidean construction
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Euclidean construction
• 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Euclidean construction