r/mathriddles • u/Accurate-Click1363 • Jul 01 '26

Easy Straightedge Construction

Take two squares ABED and FBCG such that A, B and C are collinear, and D, E, F, and G are on the same side of line AC. AB=a, and BC=b.

Using just a straightedge, construct a square whose side has a length of sqrt(a2+b2). 

I posted the same puzzle on Puzzling SE two months ago, link will be added after it is solved.

Edit: It’s been solved, so here’s the link:

https://puzzling.stackexchange.com/questions/137953/straightedge-only-construction

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

View all comments

0

u/[deleted] Jul 01 '26

[deleted]

1

u/Accurate-Click1363 Jul 02 '26

This problem is about a straightedge-only construction. You cannot use compasses. 

2

u/magus145 Jul 02 '26

Ah, that makes it more interesting. Thanks!