• The Shortest Connector: How to Join Three 2-D Geometric Objects

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      Permanent link:
      https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/reso/027/11/1881-1901

    • Keywords

       

      Straightedge and compass construction, reflection property, Schwarz’s triangle problem, Alhazen’s problem, proving impossibility.

    • Abstract

       

      We set out to find the shortest closed curve that connectsthree objects – each of which is a point, a line or a circle –on a plane. The solution is sometimes trivial, sometimes easy,sometimes hard and sometimes impossible. We hope readerswill be inspired to provide alternative justifications/answers.

    • Author Affiliations

       

      Jyotirmoy Sarkar1 Collin Tully

      1. Mathematical Sciences Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 North Blackford Street Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
    • Dates

       

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