Talk:Geometry for Elementary School/Our tools: Ruler and compass

Naming
The picture on this page clearly shows a tool referred to as a "compass" being used. Additionally, the title sounds odd. I've never used more than one compass to draw a circle. Maybe it's a US/UK English thing. -- Adrignola talk contribs 19:19, 10 May 2010 (UTC)
 * I moved the page and changed the word 'compass' to 'compasses' because, well, that's pretty much what I think it's supposed to be like: a compass for navigation, a pair of compasses for drawing circles. The Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary also uses the word 'compasses' for the tool in this chapter. However, if you find the alternatice 'compass' in an American English Dictionary, feel free to tell me, so I might consider changing every back the way they were. Kayau ( talk &#124; email &#124; contribs ) 13:13, 11 May 2010 (UTC)
 * Botth forms are considered acceptable in British English. but only one form is acceptable in American English. Informally, a quick quiz of the mathematicians here in Scotland suggest I get very strange looks if I say "a pair of compasses."  Thus, I am in favor of sticking with "Ruler and compass". But maybe even more to the point, I thought you were planning to change the set of allowable tools?  Thenub314 (talk) 13:28, 11 May 2010 (UTC)
 * OK, then. I'll change it back. (You're from Scotland? A while ago you said you had 'American' maths training. :P) Kayau ( talk &#124; email &#124; contribs ) 13:16, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
 * I am American, but I am a maths researcher working at a University in Scotland. I have lived here for a few years now. This might explain my rather narrow interest in the mathematics books here. Thenub314 (talk) 14:25, 13 May 2010 (UTC)