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Using some Geometry construction, how can we show the length 1/c on this figure (so that we end up depicting the inverse length)? Bottom line, You can make any construction, but given length c of this right angle triangle, show/create/mark something which equals 1/c.

Assume length b = 1 unit.

Lemur
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1 Answers1

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Draw a circle of radius $b$ centered at the intersection of $b$ and $c$. This circle intersects $c$. From that intersection, draw a line parallel to $a$ down to $b$. This new triangle (part of $b$, part of $c$, and the new line) is similar to the large triangle, with hypotenuse length equal to $b$. So the leg along $b$ has length $\frac bc$.

Arthur
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