Angle trisection with coefficients in the field generated by these numbers. Therefore, any number that is constructible by a sequence of steps is a root of a minimal polynomial whose degree is a power of two. Note also that radians (60 degrees, written 60°) is constructible. The argument below shows that it is impossible to construct a 20° angle. This implies that a 60° angle cannot be trisected, and thus that an arbitrary angle cannot be trisected. Denote the set of rational numbers by . If 60° could be trisected, the degree of a minimal polynomial of over would be a power
Inscribed angle "V" and whose sides pass through points "A" and "B". Draw line "OA". Angle "BOA" is a central angle; call it "θ". Lines "OV" and "OA" are both radii of the circle, so they have equal lengths. Therefore, triangle "VOA" is isosceles, so angle "BVA" (the inscribed angle) and angle "VAO" are equal; let each of them be denoted as "ψ". Angles "BOA" and "AOV" are supplementary. They add up to 180°, since line "VB" passing through "O" is a straight line. Therefore, angle "AOV" measures 180° − "θ". It is known that the three angles of a triangle add