In Theodorus' Spiral no two hypothenusa lie on the same line

Abstract

Consider the rectangular triangle with sides with length 1 and 1, then the oblique side has length square root of 2. Now construct on top of the oblique side, a new rectangular triangle with the oblique side as rectangle side and a second rectangle side of length 1. Continue this process indefinitely, what you get is called "the spiral of Theodorus". Now the question is: Can there be two hypothenusa (oblique sides) which lie on the same line? Apparently there can't. A proof of this proposition was given in 1958, but to our knowledge no other proofs are available. Since we had no access to the journal, we wanted to prove it again.

0

Turn this paper into a full lesson

ArcXiv compiles a staged curriculum from this paper: 8-12 lessons across beginner → advanced, synthesised section guides, visuals, flashcards, a quiz, exercises, and on-demand deep dives per section. Grounded in the abstract, never invented.

Discussion (0)

Sign in to join the discussion.

Loading comments…