Any mathematicians?

Discussion in 'Member Requests' started by mazambo, Sep 30, 2018.

  1. mazambo

    mazambo Forever Learning

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    Hi everyone
    Just wondering if there are any mathematicians who can help me, I have a 9ft square area in the garden which I want to build an hexagonal pergola, is there anyone who can work out the lengths of each of the six sides? Thanks.
     
  2. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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  3. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

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    4'6"

    Draw a 9 foot dia. circle in the 9 x 9 foot square and divide into 6 segments of 60 degrees, add the 6 sides of the hexagon and you will see you have 6 isosceles triangles where all the sides are equal to the radius of the 9 foot dia circle.
     
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      Last edited: Sep 30, 2018
    • mazambo

      mazambo Forever Learning

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      • Scrungee

        Scrungee Well known for it

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        The method of drawing a hexagon in school geometry lessons was to draw a circle using a compass, then use the compass around the perimeter of the circle to mark the hexagon's corners, quickly proving the radius of the circle was equal to the sides of the hexagon.
         
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          Last edited: Sep 30, 2018
        • mazambo

          mazambo Forever Learning

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          • Jack Sparrow

            Jack Sparrow Total Gardener

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            That's exactly what I was going to say. :dbgrtmb::whistle:

            G.
             
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            • mazambo

              mazambo Forever Learning

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              So work tomorrow, 6 x 4ft 6" cardboard cutouts 12" wide 60° angles bring home tape together set out and mark out posts, jobs a guddan.
               
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              • shiney

                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                As a general rule of thumb a regular hexagon will have sides 50% the length of the sides of a regular square - but you will need to have two opposite sides of the hexagon centred on the two opposite sides of the square.

                If you have all the sides at an angle to the sides of the square the answer will be different. :noidea:

                Using bamboo canes, if you have some, will be the easiest way to show the right answer.
                 
              • Scrungee

                Scrungee Well known for it

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                Or drive a peg into the ground at the centre, then tie a loop on a piece of string, place the loop over the peg, and cut the string to 4'6" long. Mark position of 1st post at end of string, rotate string around peg until the end is 4'6" from the 1st peg and mark position. Repeat until all 6 post positions have been marked.
                 
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                • mazambo

                  mazambo Forever Learning

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                  @Scrungee ok all that's missing here from perfection is you coming and marking it out for me:love30:
                   
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                  • shiney

                    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                    You left out the bit about him putting up the pergola as well :heehee:
                     
                  • HarryS

                    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                    That takes me back to my technical drawing lessons , never had to construct a hexagon since !
                     
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                    • HarryS

                      HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                      • Scrungee

                        Scrungee Well known for it

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                        Drawings of nuts and bolts was a favourite. Still got my 50+ years old drawing stuff, was using Autocad before I retired but now can't remember anything about it.
                         
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                          Last edited: Oct 1, 2018

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