Compass Equivalence Theorem

The compass equivalence theorem is an important statement in compass and straightedge constructions. In these constructions it is assumed that whenever a compass is lifted from a page, it collapses, so that it may not be directly used to transfer distances. While this might seem a difficult obstacle to surmount, the compass equivalence theorem states that any construction via a "fixed" compass may be attained with a collapsing compass. In other words, it is possible to construct a circle of equal radius, centered at any given point on the plane. This theorem is known as Proposition II of Book I of Euclid's Elements.