Problem of the Week 869

Draw a Perpendicular



Given: A line L with a point P on it.

Goal: To draw a line through P that is perpendicular to L

Tools: You have a straightedge on which you can mark distances. Thus you can transfer distances from one line to another. And you can make a point anywhere.

Source: David Gale: Tracking the Automatic Ant, Springer, p. 72.



Cute Factoid

Who is the holder of the U.S. Intercollegiate record in the standing broad jump (which has not been contested for about half a century)?

Answer: Edgar Allen Pow (Thanks to Charles Norman (Macalester) for this one!)

© Copyright 1998 Stan Wagon. Reproduced with permission.

The Math Forum

2 October 1998