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Dividers are a piece of equipment used in mathematics consisting of two parts which are joined at one end and have sharp points at the other and which are used for measuring lines and angles and for marking positions along lines
Compass: 1: A mathematical instrument for dividing and drawing circles - looks like a pair of dividers but one arms holds a pencil with which marks can be made; 2: an instrument indicating the magnetic meridian. To avoid confusion, the term "compasses" is often used to identify the mathematical instrument.
Is there any difference between a pair of dividers and a pair of compasses or are they exactly the same? Does anyone know?
That's an old friend! My grandfather used to insist on this phrase. Most people (and most dictionaries) use 'compass' (but I don't, 'because I know it teases'*)