Chap. 1. CONIC SECTIONS.

313
But by the similar triangles TAD, TPxM, TCE, and TBF, the sides AT, PT, CT,
and BT are proportional to the tour perpendiculars AD, PM, CE, BF.
Therefore AD: PM::CE : BF.
1092. Theorem IX. The two radius vectors meeting the curve in the same point will mnki
equal angles with a tangent passing through that point. {Fig. 4;i9.)
g
For, by Theor. VII., CA : CP : : CT : CA
;
By Cor. 2. Theor. V., CA : CP::CF : CA+ FM;
By equality, CT : CF: : CA : CA ^ FM
;
By division and composition, CF-CT : CF+CT::FM : 2CA
+ FM;
That is, FT :/T::FM:/R;
And by the similar triangles TFM, T/Il, FT : /T: : FM : /R.
Therefore/R is etjual to/M ;
consequently the angle /RM is equal
to the angle /MR: and because fli
is parallel to/M, the angle
FMT is equal to the angle /RM; therefore the angle FMT is
equal to the angle /RM.
1093. Pkoblkm I. To describe an hyperbola hy means
of
the end
of
a ruler moveable on a pin F
( Jig
440.
)
Jixed in a plaiic, with one
end
of
a string
fixed to a point E in the same plane, and the other ex-
tremity
of
the string fastened to the other end C
of
the ruler, the point
C of
the ruler being moved towards G in that plane.
While the ruler is moving, a point D being made to slide
Fig. 439.
along the edge of the ruler, kept close to the string so as to keep each of the parts C D,
D E of the string stretched, the point D will describe
t!ie curve of an hyperbola.
If the end of the ruler at F
(fig.
441.) be made
moveable about the point E, and the string be fixed
in F and to the end C of the ruler, as before, another
curve may be described in the same manner, which is
called the opposite hyperbola : the points E and F,
aliout which the ruler is made to revolve, are the foci.
There are maiy occasions in which the use of this
conic section occurs in architectural details. For
instance, the profiles of many of the Grecian mould-
ings are hyperbolic ; and in conical roofs the forms
are by intersections such that the student should be
well accjuainted with the methods of describing it.
1094. Prob. II. Given the diameter AB, the ab-
scissa BC, and the double ordinate DE in position and
magnitude, to describe the hyperbola. (Fig. 442.)
Througli B draw FG parallel to DE, and draw DF and EG parallel to AB,
Divide DF and DC each into the same number of equal parts,
a :-,--; .;-
and from the points of division in BF draw lines to B, also from ;-5";i,
,\ \ \
the points of division in DC draw straight lines to A ; then
through the points of intersection found by )he lines drawn
through the corresponding points draw the curve DB. In like
manner the curve EB may be drawn so that DBE will form
the curve on each side of the diameter .A B. If the point A be
considered as the vertex, the opposite hyperbola HAI may be
described in the same manner, and thus the two curves formed by
cutting the opposite cones by the same plane will be found. By
the theorists, the hyperbola has been considered a proper figure
of equilibrium for an arch whose office is to support a load which " ' " " '
is greatest at tlie middle of the arch, and diminishes towards the
abutments. This, however, is matter of consideration for another part of this work.
OF THE PARAKOl.A.
1095. Defimtions.
1. The parameter of the axis of a parabola is a third proportional
to the abscissa and its ordinate.
2. The focus is that point in the axis where the ordinate is equal to the semi-pararneter.
3. The diameter is a line within the curve terminated thereby, and is parallel to the
axis.
4. An ovdinate to any diameter is a line contained by the curve and that diameter paral-
lel to a tangent at the extremity of the diameter.