or u (r'a+qß)2+v (pa + v′ß)2 — 2w' (r'a + qß) (pa + r'B) = 0.

Suppose that

ua2 + vß2 + 2w'aß = u (a + k‚ß) (a+k2ß)

identically, i.e. that

v = uk,k2,

2w' = u (k,+ k2).

At the point of intersection of the line a+k,B=0, with y=0, we have

Taking the polar of this with respect to the curve (2)

we get

(pk, -r') a +(r'k, − q) B = 0.

If this be identical with a +

k2ß = 0, we get

2

The symmetry of this equation shews that (2) is also its own polar reciprocal with respect to (1), as ought to be the

case.

19. If the point of intersection of the four straight lines do not coincide with one of the angular points of the triangle of reference, we have then only to express the condition that the range formed by their intersection with any one of its sides, y=0, for instance, be an harmonic range. If this be the case, the pencil formed by joining these four points with C will be an harmonic pencil, and we shall have, as before,

pv — 2r'w' + qu = 0.

20. We next proceed to consider the results to be deduced from the theory of reciprocal polars, when the auxiliary conic is a circle. It is here that the utility of theory is most apparent, as we are thus enabled to transform metrical theorems, i.e. theorems relating to the magnitudes of lines and angles.

We know that, if PQ be the polar of a point T with respect to a circle, of which the centre is S and radius k, then ST will be perpendicular to PQ. Let ST cut PQ in V. Then

ST. SV = k2.

Hence the pole of any line is at a distance from the centre of the auxiliary circle inversely proportional to the distance of the line. And conversely, the polar of any point is at a distance from the centre of the auxiliary circle, inversely proportional to the distance of the point itself.

21. If TX, TY be any two indefinite straight lines, P, Q their poles, then, since SP is perpendicular to TX, SQ to TY, it follows that the angle PSQ is equal to the angle XTY or its supplement, as the case may be. Hence, the angle included between any two straight lines is equal to the angle subtended at the centre of the auxiliary circle by the straight line joining their poles, or to its supplement.

22. From what has been said in Art. 15, and the earlier articles of this chapter, it will appear that to find the polar reciprocal of a given curve with respect to a circle, we may proceed by either of the following two methods.

First. Draw a tangent to the curve, and from S, the centre of the auxiliary circle, draw SY perpendicular to the tangent, and on SY, produced if necessary, take a point Q, such that SQ.SY=k. The locus of Q will be the required polar reciprocal.

Secondly. Take a point P on the curve, and join SP; on SP, produced if necessary, take a point Z, such that

SP.SZ=k2.

Through Z draw a straight line perpendicular to SP. The envelope of this line will be the required polar reciprocal.

23. It will be observed that the magnitude of the radius of the auxiliary circle affects the absolute, but not the relative, magnitudes or positions of the various lines in the reciprocal figure. As our theorems are, for the most part, independent of absolute magnitude, we may generally drop all consideration of the radius of the auxiliary circle, and consider its centre only. We may then speak of reciprocating " with respect to S" instead of "with respect to a circle of which S is the centre." S may be called the centre of reciprocation, k the constant of reciprocation.

24. As an example of the power of this method we will reciprocate the following theorem, "The three perpendiculars from the angular points of a triangle intersect in a point."

This may be expressed as follows: "If 0, A, B, C be four points, such that OB is perpendicular to CA, and OC to AB, then will OA be perpendicular to BC.”

Reciprocate this with respect to any point S, and the four points O, A, B, C give four straight lines, which we may call each by three letters abc, ab'c, a'bc', a'b'c, respectively. Then, the fact that OB is perpendicular to CA is expressed by b and b' subtending a right angle at S, or by bb' being a right angle. Again, the fact that OC is perpendicular to AB, shews that cSc' is a right angle. Then the reciprocal theorem tells us that aSa' is also a right angle. We may express this more neatly as follows: aa', bb', cc', are the diagonals of the complete quadrilateral formed by the four straight lines, hence it appears that at any point at which two of the diagonals of a complete quadrilateral subtend a right angle, the third diagonal also subtends a right angle. Or, in other words, The three circles, described on the diagonals of a complete quadrilateral as diameters, have a common radical axis.

The extremities of this axis may be conveniently called the foci of the quadrilateral*.

25. If the system formed by the four points O, A, B, C be reciprocated with respect to any one of them, O for instance, the triangle thus obtained will be similar, and similarly situated, to that formed by the other three points A, B, C.

* This name is proposed by Clifford, in the Messenger of Mathematics.

For if on OA, OB, OC respectively (produced if necessary), we take points A', B', C, so that

OA.OA' OB. OB' = OC. OC',

=

and through A', B', C' draw YZ, ZX, XY, severally at right angles to OA', OB', OC′, then YZ, ZX, XY are respectively parallel to BC, CA, AB, or the triangle XYZ is similar and similarly situated to the triangle ABC.

We may observe further, that the point X, since it is the intersection of the polars of B and C, is itself the pole of the line BC, and therefore OX is perpendicular to BC, that is to YZ. Similarly, OY, OZ, are respectively perpendicular to ZX, XY. Hence, O is the intersection of the perpendiculars dropped from X, Y, Z on YZ, ZX, XY respectively. It may be convenient to call the point of intersection of the perpendiculars let fall from the angular points of a triangle on the opposite sides, the orthocentre of the triangle, or of its three angular points. Here we may say that "If a triangle be reciprocated with respect to its orthocentre, the reciprocal triangle will be similar and similarly situated to the given triangle, and will have the same orthocentre."

It will be seen by Art. 19, that any three points and their orthocentre, reciprocated with respect to any point S, give a quadrilateral, of which S is a focus.

26. If any conic be reciprocated with respect to an external point S, the angle between the asymptotes of the reciprocal hyperbola will be the supplement of that between the tangents drawn from S to the conic. (See Art. 9 of this chapter.)

Conversely, if an hyperbola be reciprocated with respect to any point S, we obtain a conic, which subtends at S an angle the supplement of that between the asymptotes of the hyperbola.

27. From the last article it follows that, if a parabola be reciprocated with respect to any point S on its directrix, we obtain a rectangular hyperbola, passing through S.

If a rectangular hyperbola be reciprocated with respect to

any point S on its circumference, we obtain a parabola whose directrix passes through S.

Again, if a conic be reciprocated with respect to any point on its director circle (i. e. the circle which is the locus of the intersection of two perpendicular tangents) we obtain a rectangular hyperbola.

If a rectangular hyperbola be reciprocated with respect to any point S not on the curve, we obtain a conic, whose director circle passes through S.

28. It is known that the conics passing through the four points of intersection of any two rectangular hyperbolas, is itself a rectangular hyperbola; and also that any one of these four points is the orthocentre of the other three. If, then, we reciprocate these theorems with respect to any one of the four points of intersection, we obtain the theorem that, "If a parabola touch the three common tangents of two given parabolas, its directrix passes through the intersection of the directrices of the two given parabolas, that is, through the orthocentre of the triangle formed by their common tangents.' In other words, "If a system of parabolas be described, touching three given straight lines, their directrices all pass through the orthocentre of the triangle formed by the three given straight lines."

Again, reciprocating this system of rectangular hyperbolas with respect to any point S, we get, "All conics, which touch four given straight lines, subtend a right angle at either focus of the quadrilateral formed by these four straight lines." Or, in other words, "The director circles of all conics which touch four given straight lines, have a common radical axis, which is the directrix of the parabola which touches the four given straight lines.”

29. To find the polar reciprocal of a circle with respect to any point.

From what has already been shewn, we know that this will be a conic; we have now to investigate its form and position.

Let S be the centre of reciprocation, k the constant of reciprocation, MPM the circle to be reciprocated, O its centre,