Mathematics Atlas

How Proof Is Made
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme
Theorem

Niven's Theorem

Number Theory

The only rational values of an angle in degrees for which both the angle and its sine are rational are 0, 30, 90, 150, 180 degrees and their sine values. Proved by Ivan Niven, it is a compact result connecting trigonometry and Diophantine approximation.

Facts
Statement
Niven's theorem identifies exactly which angles theta with 0 degrees <= theta <= 90 degrees have both theta and the sine of theta degrees rational; only a small finite set of such angles exists. 1
Classification
Statement Form
Inequality 1
Connections

Has Statement Form

Inequality, Concepts

Entity-backed identity for the statement-form enum value this theorem already carries, resolved to a mathematics concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The statement-form fact itself stays on the theorem unchanged.

In Branch

Proved By

Source Niven's Theorem (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Niven's Theorem (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Lead section, opening theorem statement
    Niven's theorem, named after Ivan Niven, states that the only rational values of θ in the interval 0° ≤ θ ≤ 90° for which the sine of θ degrees is also a rational number are:
  • Proved By: Ivan Niven, Lead paragraph
    In mathematics, Niven's theorem, named after Ivan Niven, states that the only rational values of θ in the interval 0° ≤ θ ≤ 90° for which the
View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.