Square and Compasses Square and Compasses The Square and Compasses (or, more correctly, a square and a set of compasses joined together) is the single most identifiable symbol of Freemasonry. Both the square and compasses are architect's tools and are used in Masonic ritual as emblems to teach symbolic lessons. Some Lodges and rituals explain these symbols as lessons in conduct: for example, Duncan's Masonic Monitor of 1866 explains them as: "The square, to square our actions; The compasses, to circumscribe and keep us within bounds with all mankind". However, as Freemasonry is non-dogmatic, there is no general interpretation for these symbols (or
Square packing in a square Square packing in a square Square packing in a square is a packing problem where the objective is to determine how many squares of side 1 (unit squares) can be packed into a square of side "a". If "a" is an integer, the answer is "a", but the precise, or even asymptotic, amount of wasted space for non-integer "a" is an open question. The smallest value of "a" that allows the packing of "n" unit squares is known when "n" is a perfect square (in which case it is ), as well as for "n" = 2, 3, 5, 6,