The Circle: A Mathematical Exploration beyond the Line

Along with the line and the angle, the circle is a basic geometric form with some amazing properties. This book is not a history of the circle, but more a book of mathematical explorations. Some of the eleven chapters are “Famous Theorems About Circles,” “Investigation of Equicircles,” “Circle Constructions,” “Circle Symmetry,” and “Circles in Art and Architecture.” The chapter about “Circle-Packing Problems” is very interesting. It deals with interesting questions like how many circles can fit in a square, a triangle, or a circle and then segues nicely into an organic application. Another interesting part is the discussion of the Reuleaux Triangle, a triangle with similar properties to the circle. And did you know that you can draw with only a compass anything you would normally draw with a compass and straight edge? This book is interesting but not particularly easy-to-read. Although the jargon is not too esoteric, if you don’t play with compasses for fun, this book might not be for you. However, it is a lovely little book full of circular puzzles and curiosities that are sure to delight anyone who has a mathematical bent.