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Math 409/409G History of Mathematics Books III of the Elements Circles

Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

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Math 409/409G History of Mathematics. Books III of the Elements Circles. In Book III of the Elements , Euclid presented 37 propositions about circles. You are most likely familiar with many of these. For example: - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

Math 409/409GHistory of Mathematics

Books III of the Elements

Circles

Page 2: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

In Book III of the Elements, Euclid presented 37 propositions about circles.

You are most likely familiar with many of these. For example:

Proposition 3.31 states that an angle inscribed in a semicircle of a circle is a right angle.

O

B

A C

Page 3: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

But did you know that this proposition also says that if an angle is inscribed in a portion of a circle that is greater than (less than) a semicircle, then the angle is less than (greater than) 90o?

O

B

A C

CA

B

O

Page 4: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

A proposition you may not be familiar with is Proposition 3.1 which states that it is possible to find (construct) the center of a given circle.

Here’s how you do it.

Page 5: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

• Construct a segment joining two random points A and B of the circle.

• Construct the midpoint M of AB.

• Construct the perpendicular to AB at M and let it intersect the circle at C and D.

• Construct the midpoint O of CD.

Euclid used an indirect proof to show that O is the center of the circle.

C DO

M

B

A

Page 6: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

The proofs of most of the propositions in Book III use only the propositions from Book I. One such proposition is:

Proposition 3.18: A tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius from the center to the point of tangency.

TA B

O

Page 7: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

Before looking at the proof of this proposition, let’s review the significance of two of the Book I propositions used in the proof.

Page 8: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

Proposition 1.17: The sum of the angles of a triangle is 180o.

The significance of this theorem is that when it is applied to a right triangle, it results in justifying that the non-right angles (1 and 2) in the triangle must be less than 90o.

Today, this fact would be stated as a corollary to Proposition 1.17.

2

1

Page 9: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

Proposition 1.19: In any triangle, the greater side is subtended by the greater angle.

As you just saw, Proposition 1.17 shows that the greatest angle in a right triangle is the right angle.

So as a consequence (corollary) of this proposition, we know that the hypotenuse of a right triangle is the greatest side of the triangle.

2

1

Page 10: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

In modern terms, we now have two corollaries which will be used in the proof of Proposition 3.18. They are:

C1.17: The non-right angles in a right triangle are each less than 90o.

C1.19: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is greater than either leg of the triangle.

Page 11: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

We are now ready to sketch the proof of Proposition 3.18.

Given: AB is tangent to circle O at point T.

Prove: OT AB.

O

BAT

Page 12: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

By way of contradiction, assume that OT is not perpendicular to AB.

• Construct OC AB. (P1.31)

2 = 90o. (Def. )

1 < 90o. (C1.17)

• (C1.19)OT > OC.

1C

O

BAT

2

Page 13: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

But if D is the intersection of OC with the circle, then (Def. circle).

So (CN 5).

OT = OD

D

OT > OC

1C

O

BAT

2 2 = 901 < 90

OT < OC

Page 14: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

But these last two statements are a contradiction. So the assumption that OT is not perpendicular to AB cannot be true.

Thus it must be true that OT is indeed perpendicular to AB.

OT < OC

D

OT > OC

1C

O

BAT

2 2 = 901 < 90

Page 15: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

This proves that a tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius from the center of the circle to the point of tangency.

This proof also shows you that a “proof by contradiction” doesn’t always have to contradict the hypothesis of the theorem.

Page 16: Math 409/409G History of Mathematics

This ends the lesson on

Books III of the Elements

Circles