IES MIGUEL ROMERO

ERASMUS+ PROJECT

ESTEO S T EM ACT IV IT I ES

NOVIEMBRE 2021
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CORDOVAN PROPORTION

The Greek mathematician Euclid of Alexandria, in his book "The

Elements of Geometry", established the principle of the mean and
extreme ratio, by us known as the golden ratio, whose associated
number is the well-known Golden Number.

In the Middle Ages the principles of the great mathematician Eu-

clid had a lot of influence in Córdoba and this influence led the ar-
chitects of the caliphate to propose a new perfect proportion for
the construction of the Cordoba mosque. This proportion was ca-
lled the Cordobes number. The Cordovan
proportion is the
The Cordovan proportion is the ratio between the radius of the cir- ratio between the
cumference circumscribed to the regular octagon and its side. radius of the
This reason is the so-called Cordovan Number, which, like the circumference
Golden Number, is also irrational. circumscribed to
the regular
octagon and its
side.
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CORDOVAN PROPORTION

the rectangle formed with these proportions is called a "caliphal rec-

tangle". This geometric relationship is present in the Caliphal archi-
tecture of Cordoba. For example, on the floor of the mosque

the rectangle
formed with
We can also find the Cordovan rectangle in numerous mosaics in
these proportions
the Mosque
is called a
"caliphal
rectangle".
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CORDOVAN PROPORTION

We can also observe the Cordovan proportion in the vaults of the

Mosque of Córdoba such as the Mihrab vault,

The Cordovan
triangle is an

One of the most interesting variants that we can obtain from the isosceles triangle

Cordovan proportion is the Cordovan triangle, which is an isosce- in which the

les triangle in which the uneven angle is 45 sexagesimal degrees. unequal angle is

In this triangle, if we divide the equal side by the unequal one, we 45 sexagesimal

will obtain the Cordovan Number as a result. degrees.

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CORDOVAN PROPORTION

1.- Draw an octagon with a side of 3 cm and obtain the associated

caliphal rectangle.
2.- The octagon that forms the caliphal vault called "prayer" has a
side of 8 meters. Calculate the area of the caliphaf triangle that is
generated.

3.- The dome of the "Mirhab" is formed by a 12 m side octagon. Find

the area of the associated caliphal rectangle.
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THE CALIPHAL ARCH

The caliphal arch (horseshoe arch) is an arch whose curve is wi-

der than a semicircle, giving it a shape reminiscent of a horseshoe

The caliphal arch

(horseshoe arch)
is an arch whose
curve is wider
than a semicircle,
giving it a shape
The parameters that define the caliphal arc are the inner radius
reminiscent of a
(r), the outer radius (R) and the superelevation which is r / 2
horseshoe
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THE CALIPHAL ARCH

Inside the mosque there is a forest of caliphate arches.The Cordoba

Mosque contains a total of 1,300 columns and 760 arches

With 23,500 m2, it was the second largest mosque in the world,
behind the Mecca Mosque, being only reached later by the Blue
Mosque (Istanbul, 1588).
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THE CALIPHAL ARCH. ACTIVITIES

1.-Draw a caliphal arc with 5 cm inner radius and 7 cm outer ra-

dius

2.- The arch of the door of the deanes has an outer radius of 1.6
meters and an inner radius of 1.4 meters. Calculate the perimeter
of the arch
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THE CALIPHAL ARCH

3.- The door of forgiveness has an interior radius of 1.3 meters and
the bricks that form the voussoirs are 20 cm high. Find the outer ra-
dius of the arc.