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Re: Magic number 23

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg41466] Re: Magic number 23
• From: Dave Langers <RemoveThisPart.d.langers at wxs.nl>
• Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 08:01:35 -0400 (EDT)
• References: <baclk4$r54$1@smc.vnet.net>
• Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com

> Mathematica knows the exact values of the trigonometric functions for some
> special angles. I was curious how many such values there are.

Take a look at:
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/TrigonometricAngles.html

It doesn't explain what might be special about sin(pi/23), except that 
it cannot be written as a simple exact value.

BTW: This is interestingly enough related to constructions with compass 
and straightedge:
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/ConstructibleNumber.html
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/ConstructiblePolygon.html

Greetings,
Dave

• Follow-Ups:
  • Re: Re: Magic number 23
    • From: David Terr <dterr@wolfram.com>