Question

I know how to find the midpoint of a line segment using a compass, but how do you find 1/3 of a line segment using a compass?

Answer 1

http://www.maa.org/sites/default/files/images/upload_library/23/styer/trisecting/index.html

Answer 2

Ok so that make sense, but can you help me understand why that make sense? In my class I have to be able to prove why it works.

Answer 3

@Ellie202000 did you read the proof with the link provided above?

Answer 4

I did and it help me understand but I still don't have 100% confident I can go to class tomorrow and explain it to my teacher.

Answer 5

@campbell_st

Answer 6

here is a link for any number of equal parts

http://www.mathopenref.com/constdividesegment.html

it gives steps down the page

hope it helps

Answer 7

so where the instructions talk about opening a compass to a bit less than 1/5 you need to make it 1/3