THE EISENHOWER LIBRARY

FROM THE LIBRARY OF

FRANK MORLEY, 1860-1937
Profbssok of 'Mathematics in this Univbesitt,
1900-1929; EMERruus, 1929-1937

T H E GIFT O F MRS. M O R L E Y
 E X A M P L E S A N D PROBLEMS O N CONICS,
A N D SOME OF T H E HIGHER PLANE CURVES.
 CAMBHIDGB:
PRINTED BY W. METCALFE AND SON, TBINITT STEBBT.
 A COLLECTION OF

'LES AND PEOBLEMS ON CONICS

AND SOME OF THE

HIGHEE PLANE CUEVES.

/"by
RALPH £ ' R O B E R T S , M.A.

nUBLlNi
HODGES, FIGGIS, & CO., GEAFTON 8TEEET,
PUBLISHERS TO THE UNIVERSITY.
L O N D O N : LONGMANS, GEEEN, & CO.
1882.
GIFT OF MRS. FRANK MORLB*,
 PREFACE.

T h e greater part of the Examples on Conies

and Cubics was worked out by me during
my study of Dr. Salmon's Treatises on Conies
and the Higher Plane Curves. Several of those on
Bicircular Quartics were suggested by Dr. Casey's
Memoir* on those Curves, and Darboux's Sur
une classe remarquable de Comles ei de Surfaces
Algebriques.f I beKeve that either the Examples
themselves or the methods adopted for their
solution are original.
This Volume is addressed to those who take
an interest in properties of Plane Curves which
are not of a purely elementary character, and,
as the results obtained are new, I a m in hopes
that it m a y prove acceptable. I have throughout

* Transactions of the Sot/al Irish Academy, vol. XXIT. p. 457,1869,

t Paris, 1873.
VI- 1*i^ei*ac!e.

assumed the reader to be familiar with Dr. Salmon's

Conies and Curves; and, in fact, these Examples
m a y be considered as an addition to those in
his works. For this reason I have_ used little
explanatory matter, and rendered the proofs of
the Examples as brief as possible." Most of the
problems can be solved by methods which have
been employed in the proofs of Examples, and,
in the case of the more difficult, solutions will
be found at the end of the book.
Several of the Examples have appeared from
time to time in the Educational Times, and some
of the Theorems on Nodal Cubics formed a
paper in the Proceedings of the London Mathemaiieal
Society (vol. xii. p. 99).
In conclusion, I have to thank the Board of
Trinity CoUege for their liberality in contributing
to the expense of publication.

Trinity Collem,
April, 1882,
 CONTENTS.

SECT. PAGE
I. Examples and Pi'oblems on Conies - - 1
n. Examples and Problems on Cubics 88

m. Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics - « 133

IV. Miscellaneous Examples 177

Notes and Solutions to some of the Problems ... 190

ERRATA.

Page 11 line 2, for centre read points of contact,

„ 19 line l,for (~/')"" and (^)' read ^^^ and i^i^.

., 52 bottom line ffrr a? — c^, read a^ + c^.

„ 79 bottom line for e^ read e*.
„ 81 Ex. 194/or similar read similarly situated.
E X A M P L E S A N D P R O B L E M S O K CONICS,
A N D SOME OF T H E HIGHER
P L A N E CURVES.

I. Examples and Problems on Conies.

1. To jind the equation of the circle circumscribing a

triangle inscribed in a conic.
Let the equation of the conic be
x~ . y
a 0
and that of the circle
[x-xj + {y-y'Y- t''= S=Q.
Then the discriminant of 8 — K'Ula found to be
x'' y" !:!_i_o

or ¥-¥{d'^V' + r'-a:''-y"')
+ ¥ [d'b^ + r' K + ¥) - Fx" + d Y ] - d'bV = 0.
But comparing the coefficients of the identity

S - K'U= h 1^ cos^ (a+ /3) + 1 sin^ (a + /S) - cos^ (a - /S)|

X |^cosi(7+ S) + |8in^(7+S)-cos^ (7-S)l,

 Examples arid Problems on Conies.

(Salmon's Conies, p. 208), we get

¥ = a" sin"! (a +yS) + V cos^| (a + /3)
= the square of the semi-diameter parallel to one of the sides
of the triangle.
Hencd, from the absolute term of the equation whose
roots are a" — h^\ c? - ^/, a^ — h^, we obtain

a^|{a^-W)
Similarly we have

,_ ^{{K--f^)[K-b'){K-n
y~ b>^{a'-b')
Again, from the equation in ¥ we obtain r= ' ' ", ancJ

x'-' + f -/ = a^ + V-h'^- V- K.
W e may alsofind'the coordinates of the centre thusr
eliminating y between the equations of the conic and circle,
we get
[a^ - p) x" - 4aVa;' + &c. = 0^

hence x =-j^ [x^ + x^^-x^-^ x^)

oi' - F
, ~'~A,— {cosa + Gos/3 + cos74 G0s(a + ^ + 7)}
(Salmon's Conies, p. 218)
a —1>
cos J (a + ^) cos| (/3+7) cos| (7 + a).
a
In the same way we find

y = — y - sin^ (a + ^) sin J {^ + 7) sin| (7 + a).

 Examples a n d Problems' on Conies.

2. To find the equation of the circle through the middle

points of the sides qf the same triangle.
Let the equation of the circle be
{x-xr+{y-y'r-r'^ = 0,
and let x', y, be the coordinates of the centre of the
circumscribing circle, and a, /3 those of the centroid; then,
by a known geometrical relation,
2a;" = 3a-a;', 2 / = 3/3-/,
and
3a = a(cosa + cos^ + cos7), 3/3 = 5 (sina +sin/3 + sin7);
hence,
2aai' = a" (cos a + cos/3 + cos 7)
- (a' - W) cos J (a + ^) cos^ (/3 + 7) cosj (7 + a),
26y' = V (sin a + sin /S + sin 7)
+ [d' - ¥) sini (a + /3) sinj (/3 + 7) sin J (7 + x).
Again,
a"^ +2,"^ -r'-' = l {(3a - x j + (3,8 - y')' - ^r"'}
= i {9 (a^ + ^ V 6 (a^' + /?/) + x' + y'^ -r^)}
= (a'^ + 5'^) cos^ (a - j8) C08| (/3 - 7) cos^ (7 — a).

3. To find the locus of the centroid of an equilateral

triangle inscribed in a conic.
Equating the coordinates of the centroid and the centre of
the circumscribing circle, w e get, if

« + ^ + ^ = _8, x= -^—^^o,h, 2^ = - - l _ ^ s m 8 .

Hence the locus is the conic

J (a'' + W Y + 1 [V + ZaJ = (a/ - &Y-

 Examples and Problems on Conies. 4

4. If the centroid of a triangle inscribed in a hyperbola

is on the curve, prove that (1) the circle through the middle
points of the sides cuts the director circle orthogonally, (2) the
area of the triangle formed by the tangents to the curve
at the vertices of the given triangle is equal to half the area
of the given triangle, (3) the ellipse touching the sides of the
triangle at their middle points passes through the centre
of the curve.
(Salinon's Conies, p. 257, E x . 3).

5. To find the equation, of the circle circuraKcribing a

triangle, formed hy three tangents to a eonic.
T h e equation of the circle is
(a" sin^a + J' cos'^a) sin (/8 — 7)

X (-C03/3 + I sin/3- ij f- cos7-F^ sin7-1 j

+ (a" sin'/3 + W cos'j3) sin (7 - a)

X (- eosy + j 8in7- 1 j (- cosa-f-| sina— 1 j

+ (a" sinV H- 6" cos^v) sin (a - /S)

X f-cosa + fsina —1) (- cos/S+rsin^S— 1) = 0,

or, multiplying out, and reducing,

cc' + y^— {If (cosa + cos/S+ 0037) + [a'- b') cos (a-t )S + 7)

- I {iJf(8ina+sin^+ sin7)-(a°-S'') sin(a-l-/5+7)}+lf=0,

where
j . _ g" + 5' + (g" - F ) {cos (/3 + 7) + cos (7 + a) + cos (a + ^)]
~ 4 c o s i ( ^ - 7 ) cos^ ( 7 - a ) cos|(a-/3)]
 Examples and Problems on Cubics.

If A , B , G be the angles of the triangle, p„ p^, p^ the

perpendiculars from the centre on the sides, A the area of
the triangle, and B the radius of the circumscribing circle,

we have ' -^—Pi sin.4 +p^ s\nB+p^ sin G,

B
ab
but p, =
V(a'' sinV + F cos'a) '
ab sin [0 — y)
and sm ^ = ^(a' sin'^^S + b' cos-'^/S) [a' sin^7 + b' cos''7) '
also A = a5 tan ^ (/3 - 7) tan ^ (7 — a) tan i (a - /3),
(Salmon's Cbnics, p. 209, E x . 9).
Therefore
^ _ ^/{{d' sin'a+5' cos'a) (a' sin'^/3+5' cos'^/3) (a' sin'7+6'' cos''7)j
iab cos I (/3 — 7) cos ^ (7 - a) cos ^ (a - /3)
If this circle pass through the centre of the conic, the
locus of its centre is the conic
i [ a V + b Y ) = {a'-b'Y.

6. To find the equation of the polar circle of the same

triangle.
W e find

(a'{2 cos J {0+i) cos J (7 +a) cos^ (a+/3) - cos(a+y8 + 7)}1

_ ^J + {a' + V ) cos a cos /3 cos 7 1
"1" cosi (/3 - 7) C03I (7 - a) cosi (a - /3) ^ J

r&'''{2sini (/3 + 7) sini (7 + a) 8in|(a+/3) + sin(a+^+7)}]

_ y) ^__ + (a" + b') sin a sin jg sin 7 L
I cosi (iS - 7) cos i (7 - a) cos \ (a - ji) J
+ a» + J'^=0.
6 Examples and Problems on Conies.

If r be the radius of this circle, and t^, t,^, t^ the lengt

the tangents drawn from the vertices of the triangle to the
director circle,

for r' = — 2 A cot A cotB cot G,

t^
^"^^ cot A = — T - i-g ,
2ab tan-J- (/3 — 7 ) '
(Salmon's Conies, p. 161).
For the parabola y' — i^mx = 0,

m '
where ^ „ ^2? i'g are the perpendiculars from the vertices of the
triangle on the directrix.

7. To find the equations of the circles touching the sides o

a triangle formed by three tangents to a conic.
Let the tangential equation of the conic be
a V + S V - l = 1^=0,
and that of the circle
[d\ + y > - l)'-" - r'' {X' + /*")= 2 = 0.
K'
Then the discriminant of F + -5 S is found to be
r
err' W" r^

72
But if F + -gS represent two points, they evidently lie on

the conic (a' - ¥) X' + {b' - ¥) /i' - 1 = 0, or

a ^ - K ' ^ Ij'-K'
 Examples and Problems on Conies.

hence, K' = d' — a'", where a is equal to half the major axis of
a confocal conic passing through a vertex of the triangle.
H e n c e if /ij, fi^, fi^ be the semi-major axes of the confocal
ellipses, and Vj, v^, V3 of the confocal hyperbolse through
the vertices of the triangle, w e have for the equation of the
inscribed circle

x' + f-?^^x + y{[c'-y:){c^-v:)[6'-v:]}y

+ y;'+v:-^v:-a'-c' = 0,
V{(g--v;0.(a''-v;-')(a'-v/)l
ab '
and for the equation of an exscribed circle

^,_V{(,^/-a-)(M/-a^)(a'-v/)}_
ab
F r o m these expressions for the radii w e deduce, if s be
the semi-perimeter,

ab

8. Find the equation of the circle touching an ellipse and

. the tangents to it from, the point [jx, v).
It is
2v {a>J{ti^-c^)-b^}
"" '^ c '^(iM'-c')-b X
^ „ V ( c W ) {a/.-5V(/.'-c^)-c''}'
"^^ c >^{^j'-c')-b y
•i .2 -i r, f« V'(/"'^ — c") — bu] .
V(/* - c ) - &
 Examples and Problems on Conies.

Hence, if the point move along a confocal ellipse, the

locus of the centre of the circle is an ellipse.

9. Two vertices of a triangle circumscribed to an ellipse

m o v e along confocal hyperboloe; prove that the locus of
the centre of the inscribed circle is a concentric ellipse.

10. To find the locus of the centroid of a triangle inscribed

in one conic

(?^I"-'^M
and circumscribed to another whose tangential equation is
[A, B, G, F, G, H ) (X, (I, v)^s S = 0.
^ Writing down the condition that the chord

-cosJ(a+/3) + f sini(a + /3}-cos4 (a-/3) = 0

should touch S and two similar equations for the other sides,
multiplying them by sin(a-/3), sin(/3 — 7 ) ^ sin(7 — « j and
adding them together, w e get, after dividing by
sin i (a - /3) sin| (/3 - 7) sin J (7 - a),
C{l + 4cos|(a-/S)cosi(/3-7)cosJ(7-a)}
2(t 'iF
(cosa+cosy8+ C0S7)---- (sina + sin/3 +sin7)
A B ^
a 0

But cosa+cosjS + cos7 = —, sina+sin;S + sin7 = -^,

a 0'

1 + 8 cosi (a - /S) coaj (/3 - 7) cos^ (7 - a) = 9 (j + | j ,

 Examples and Problems on Conies.

hence w e have for the equation of the locus the conic

««(^?)--(?4V^(M)-<'=»-
11. Prove that the locus of the centroid of a triangle
inscribed in a conic and circumscribed to a parabola is a
right line.

12. To find the locus of the centre of the circumscribing

circle of a triangle inscribed in one conic 8' = 0, and ciroum
scribed to another conic 8 = 0 .
It m a y be shown by the invariants that, if a triangle be
inscribed in a conic 8' = 0 and circumscribed to a conic 8 = 0 ,
it is also self-conjugate with regard to another-fixedconic
4 F + @ 8 ' = 0 (Salmon's Conies, Art. 376).
Hence, if G = O i a the director circle of this conic, aridV
the radius of the circumscribing circle, w e have r^= G
(Salmon's Conies, Art. 375, E x . 2).
x' if . .
Let yS^-s + Ti?—1, then by the invariants w e have
a 0
(Salmon's Conies, Art. 376, E x . 2),
r*-2/(a;" + / + a''H-S^)+K+y)'''-2c'(a!''-y'')+c^ = 0.
Hence w e obtain for the equation of the locus, putting
x' + / 4 a''' + 6''' — (7 = L a line, the conic
i'' = 4 ( a V + & y + a''5'0.
Also, since the circumscribing circle cuts orthogonally a
fixed circle and has its centre on a fixed conic, it has double
contact with a bicircular quartlc.

13. Prove that the foci of 8 are single foci of this quartlc.
If the conic 8 become a circle, the locus of the centre of
the circles has double contact with the circle G.
G
10 Examples and Problems on Conies:.

In this. case the bicircular quartlc breaks up into two»

circles.
These two circles have double contact with the conic ;8",
and their chords of contact pass through the centre of the
circle 8.

. a? v^
14. A triangle is inscribed in a conic — + ^ — 1 = 0 , and
circumscribed to a circle 8 whose centre is on the directrix of

the conic f a; = — J; prove that the circle 8 has double contac

with the conic

and that the circumscribing circle of the triangle passes

through the corresponding focus (c, 0).

15. To find the locus of the centre of the inscribed circle qf

a triangle circumscribed to a conic and inscribed in a circle 8.
Let r be the radius of the circle inscribed in the triangle
and a the radius of 8, then 8 = 2 a r by Euler's equation, and
r" = F a fixed conic (Salmon's Conies, Art. 371. E x . 4], since
the triangle is self-conjugate with regard to F. Hence the
locus is the bicircular quartlc S' — id' V = 0, having quartie
contact with the conic ZJ where it is met by the circle 8.

16. If t be the length of the tangent drawn from any

point S on a conic to the circle passing through the points
a, /3, 7, w e can prove that ^
«'= 40" slni (S - a) sini (S -/3) sin| (S-7) sini (S+a+;8 + 7).
Let a = /3 = 7, and the equation of the conic referred to
three osculating circles /S„ 8^, 8^ which intersect In the same
point on the curve, m a y be .written v'/S, + y 8 ^ + V 8 ^ = 0.
 Examples and Problems on Conies. 11

If these circles intersect at angles <f), %, ^jr, and A, B, 0

be the angles of the triangle formed by their centres, show
that
^ = 3 ^ - 7 r , ;;^ = 3 S - 7 r , i/r = 3(7-7r.

17. A circle touches the tangents drawn from points on a

•conic jSto a confocal conic, and cuts orthogonally a circle G ;
prove that it has double contact with a bicircular quartic
whose single foci are the points of Intersection of 8 and G.

18. A series of conies are circumscribed to a quadrilateral;

prove that the director circles have double contact with a
bicircular quartic, of which the intersections of diagonals and
•opposite sides are foci."
Since the locus of the centre of the variable director circle
is a conic passing through the intersections of the diagonals
and opposite sides of the quadrilateral, and since it also cuts
orthogonally the circle passing through the same points, its
envelope is a bicircular quartic whose foci are the Intersections
of the fixed circle and conic. O r thus, substituting for
a, b, &c., a + Xa', b -t- Xb', &c., in the equation of the director
circle
G[x' + y'')-2ax-2Fy + A-^rB^B=0,
we get 8X^+'2X+8' = 0,
where
S = {ab + b'a-2bh') [x' + f ) - 2 x { f h ' +f'h -bg'-b'g)
- 2y [gh'+g'h - o f - a f ) + ac'-^-c'a-igg'+bc'^ b'c-%ff=0.
H e n c e the envelope is S^ = i88'.
S is evidently the director circle of the covariant conic 4>.

19. A conic passes through the intersections of diagonals

a n d opposite sides of the same quadrilateral and has a focus
12 Examples and Problems on Conies.

on the. bicircular quartic / prove that its corresponding direct

will pass through a vertex of- the quadrilateral:
Taking the intersections of diagonals and opposite sides
for triangle of reference, and p„ p^, p^ denoting the distances
of a point from the vertices of this triangle, the director circle
of the conic ad' + b ^ + c^'' = 0 is
be sin^Ap^ + ca m^Bp^ + ab sin" Gp^ = 0,
(Salmon's Cbwics, p. 339),. and'the envelope ofthls subject to
the condition aa" + b^''' -I- 07'^ = 0 is
a'sin4pi + i8' sln^/j^ + 7'p3 s i n G = 0 .
B u t p„ Pjj, Pg are evidently proportional to the per-
pendiculars from 4he vertices of the triangle of reference on
the directrix of a conic which passes through the vertices
of the triangle of reference, and has a focus coinciding with
the point pj, p^^ p^ on the quartic. H e n c e the directrix of this
conic passes through one or other of the points (a' + /3' + 7').
Again, if a conic pass through three fixed points and have
an asymptote parallel to a given line, the envelope of-its
director circle is a circular cubic.

20. To find the equation of the circle circumscribing the

common self-conjugate triangle of two conies.
F o r m the equation of the circle cutting at right angles
their director circles and the director circle of the covariant
conic $.

21. Prove that the envelope of the director circles of a

series of conies touching three fixed lines and passing through
a fixed point la a bicircular quartic. (Salmon's Gonics, p. 256.)

22. A circle circumscribes a triangle circumscribed to a

conic 8 and has its centre on 8 / prove that it touches the
director circle of 8.
 Eocamples and Problems on Gonics. ^ 13

Let 8 = s/{la) + V(m/3) + ^J[ni) = 0,

then the radical axis of the director circle and the circum-
scribing circle is
la. cot A + mj8 cot5 + «7 cot G (Salmon's Gonics, p. 339)
— 0, which touches the circumscribing circle If
V(Z C0S.4) + \/{m cos 5) + V(w cos G) = 0,
which is also the condition that the centre of the circumscrib-
ing circle should lie on 8. i

23. Find the locus of the centre of a circle circumscr

triangle circumscribed to a conic, if if cut orthogonally a fixed
circle whose centre is a focus of the conic.
Let r be the radius of the variable circle, p„ p^ the
distances of its centre from the foci of the conic, and k the
radius' of thefixedcircle; then
r'- {p;' + p : + ^b')r^ + p;'p: = 0, r'=p,'-k,

The envelope of the variable circle in this case is a

Cartesian oval confocal with the conic.

24. To find the locus of the centroid of an equilatera

triangle self-conjugate with regard to a eonic.
Let B be the radius of the circumscribed circle, and r of
" the inscribed circle, then, by the invariants, we have
x'^f^a^ + b' + B',
& V + a y - d'F = [d' + ¥) r' = i[d' + V) B\
Hence the equation of the locus is
(a' - W ) x' -f {y - Zd') f = [d' - V)'.
14 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

And the envelope of the circumscribing circle of the same

triangle is the bicircular quartic

' (-•^ + 2/^+a^ + 5T = 4 («^-ST (^. +^^) .

25. To find the locus of the centroid of an equilateral

triangle circumscribed to a conic.
T h e invariants give us
B' - 2E' {x' + y' + a' + V) + {x' + f f - 2a' ix' - f ) -f c* = 0,
a? + f = ci'+b''-\B'.
Hence the equation of the locus is the bicircular quartic
{3 (a;' + / ) - a' - V']' = 4 { a V -h V f H- a'b'].

26. An equilateral triangle is inscribed in a parabola

y ^ — p x = 0 ; prove that the locus of its centroid is the parabola
9/+2y-^x = 0.
Prove that the circles circumscribing • equilateral triangles,
circumscribed to a parabola have a c o m m o n radical axis.

27. To find the envelope of the director circles of a system

of conies having double contact with twofixedconies.
Let the tangential equations of the twofixedconies be
aa" + b^' + C7" = 0, a'd' -t- b'^' + c V = 0,
where a, /8, 7 are the perpendiculars from the vertices of the-
triangle of reference on a line.
Then (Salmon's Gonics, p. 251) the tangential equation of
a conic having double contact with the twofixedconies is
/i' (k -f m ^ f - 2/* [{ac' -f a'c) a' + {id + b'c) ^ + 2ccV}
•^{h.-m0f = O,
where P = ac' - a'c, and m ' = — {be' — b'c),
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 15
\
or, putting /t = tanj^,
a" {ad - dc) - /3' {bd - b'c) - 2^J{- {{ad- a'c) {be'- b'c)] cos^a/S
- sin61 {{ad -f de) a' + {bd -f b'c) jS' + 2ec'y'] = 0.
B u t if p„ pjj, pg be the distances of a point from the
vertices of the triangle of reference, and S be the circle
described on the side opposite 7 as diameter, the equation of
the director circle of
-4a'' -f B ^ + ^7" + 2Sa0 = 0
is (Salmon's Conies, p. 258)
^p,= + .Bp/ + Gp;' + 2H-2. = 0.
Hence the required envelope is the bicircular quartic
{ad - a'c) {be' - b'c) S^ - 4cc' {ap;' + bp,' + cp^')
x(a'p,H5'p/ + c'p;) = 0.

28. To find the equation of the circle circumscribing the

x' -tf
triangle formed by the tangents to the conic 8 = — + p — 1 = 0 ,
drawn from the point {x', y') and their chord of contact.
T h e equation will be of the form

?+?-'+('-«^+»)(?-^f^-')=»-
Substituting in this equation the coordinates of the point
(a;', y ) , w e get n = - {he + m y ' + 1 ) , and the conditions that
the equation should represent a circle, give
ly' m x l + lx _ 1 + my'
¥^~^~ '~ir- b' •
Hence the equation becomes

^•KS4")(^4'-')
 16 Examples and Problems on Conies.

or

Also if B be the radius of the circle, p, p' the distances

of {x', y') from the foci

'-=i^y(S-fe-
d' "^ V
T o find the angle under which this circle cuts the director
circle.
W e have

M b'J ,
c° „ ,., =a^-\-b'-2B cos(9 V(a'+ 5'),
^ .y
a" "^ 5^
or (a"* + 5'^) p>'= cos^^ = 4 (5V" + a Y ) j
or, again,

pVsin'5= (a='» + 2,-- a^-5») (^'? + y«-I^^') .

Hence, if (a?', y') lie on the director circle or the inverse

of the director circle with respect to the circle xiescribed
on the line joining the foci as diameter, the variable circle
touches the director circle.
Again, if {x', y') lie on the inverse of 8 with respect
to the circle described on the line. joining the foci as
diameter, the variable circle touches 8.

29. Given the rectangle under the segments of the p&r-

ipendiculars qf a triangle formed by two tangents to a conic
and their chord of contact, find the locus of the intersection
of the perpendiculars.
 Examples and Problems On Gonics. 17

If two conies can be reduced to the forms .

2hxy + cz' = 0, x'-\ y'-\-z' = 0,
then the invariant relation is satisfied,
06'= A A'.
x' if
Hence, if the conic is -;,- + f^ — 1 = 0, the locus is the
' a 0
curve of the fourth order

If the polar circle cut orthogonally the fixed circle

s^ •\-y' — Ti = 0, the locus of its centre is the conic
b'f , 72
F-b' K'-d'
and its envelope is the bicircular quartic

{x' + y' + U)' - 4 (a» 4- b') |(F - 5^) ^ + (^'^ - a')

. ., .^,, a* + b*-¥d'b'
The two comes coincide it « = .^ , .^— .

30. Tangents are drawn to the conic 8= -^ + ^^-1 = 0

from any point on ^ -4- ^^ - 4 = 0 5 prove that they f

their chord of contact a triangle whose centroid is on

31. To find the locus of a point such that if from it

tangents be drawn to >Sf=0, they will form with their
chord of contact a triangle whose intersection of perpen-
diculars lies on 8 = 0 . Let (a;', y ) be the point, (a, jS)

the intersection of perpendiculars, 8 = ^i-^ ^ - 1,

18 Examples and Problems on Conies.

then a = i,{d'-X'), 0=f,{F-r),

where X== ^—^ .

Hence, substituting (a, ^8) in ;S=0, and dividing by

—s- + TT — Ij we obtain
a o '
a V " + 5 y ' - ( a ' H - S T = 0,

which is the reciprocal of 8 with respect to its dlr^tor

circle.
T h e points, {x', y'), (a, /3) are evidently conjugate with
respect to the director circle.
Given the point (a, /3), {x', y') is determined as the
intersection of the polar of (a, /3) with regard to the director
circle and the equilateral hyperbola which passes through
the feet of the normals to /Sfrom (a, ;S).
If (a;', y') He on a fixed line parallel to an axis or passing
through the centre of 8, the locus of (a-, jS) is a conic.
If {x, y') lie on the quartic

"•S-'-c'+'-'l^^)-".
(a, /3) hes on the durector circle.

32. To find the equation of the polar circle of the triangle

formed by two tangents to a conic and their chord of contact.
T h e coordinates of the centre are already known, and
w e find the absolute term by expressing that {x', y ) is the

pole of -V + ^ - 1 = 0, with regard to the circle; hence the

 Examples and Problems on Conies. 19

equation sought is
/»"' , f'\ , ^. 2N 2a;' / , „ c'y"'\ 2v' , „ „ cV»\

+ a» + &"-f^a;'"+j'y" = 0.
Cd 0
If r is the radius of the circle.

The equation of the circle may be written

(»--^--f)(^)'-(»'-'--^')(S^)"

.^{^•' + y--a^-h'')i^, + t-l)=Q,

which gives the equation of its chords of intersection with 8

which meet in {x', y ) . These chords never meet 8 in
real points.
If a;' = a constant, the circle cuts orthogonally the fixed
2
circle x^ + y^ ;a!- 5'' = 0, and, therefore, has double contact
with a bicircular quartic. If {x', y') lie on the directrix,
quartlc breaks up into two circles, which are imaginary for
the ellipse but real for the hyperbola.
2 '3 '2 '2
If (1) a^ + V - ~ = 0, or (2) a' + F + "-^.r = 0, the corre-
2c
spending equations are (1) x^•\-y''± — \/{d^-\-b'^ x + o^ — 0,

(2) a;'+/+y V-(a'-f 6')3^ + i' = 0,

20 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

which represent fixed circles having double contact with 8.

These circles are such that 8 Is Its o w n reciprocal with regard
to each of them; they are all imaginary for the ellipse, but
the two latter are real for a hyperbola whose director circle
is real. .

33. From the equations of the circumscribed and polar

circles of the triangles formed by twd tangents to a conic
and their chord of contact w e can deduce the equation of the
nine-point circle of the same triangle:—

.g,.;),^,,,_5'{...(?^>^.3....}

^ yl L'" + (^^^'] x' + 3&' + a j + x'

34. To find the locus of the vertex of a triangle form

. ,f x' if \
two tangents to a conic I 8=-r^ -f '^ — 1) and their chord of
Contact, if the centre of the inscribed circle lie on 8.
If a and /8 are the tangents, and 7 their chord of contact,
jSmust be capable of being written in the form a ^ — k'y'' = 0.
But a = /3 = 7, for the centre of the inscribed circle, whence
7c=l. Substituting n o w for a, &c. a;cosa + ^sina—j?, &c.
and equating the coefficient of xy to nothing, w e see that
the base and the Internal bisector of the vertical angle must
m a k e equal angles with the axis.
Hence the locus is the confocal conic

' d' b' •

T h e base, in the same case, is normal to the equilateral
hyperbola which passes through the feet of the normals to 8
from the vertex of the triangle.
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 21

35. From a point {x', y) tangents are drawn to a conic

a? if
{S,= — -f 75 — 1 = 0), to find the coordinates of the focus of the
parabola having double contact with 8 at their points of contact.
T h e equation of the parabola in tangential coordinates is
[x'X + y'/j. + vf + a^X' + & V - v' = 0; and if (a;, y) is the
focus, w e have (Salmon's Gonics, p. 228),
„ x'{x"4-y" + c') „ y'{x"-\-y"-c')
x'^ + y ' ^ x"+y'
If {x', y') lie on a line through the centre of /S or a
concentric circle, {x, y) lies on a confocal conic.
If {x', y') lie on a line, {x, y) lies on a nodal ciroulai'
cubic which has its foci in c o m m o n with ,8.
Given {x, y), {x, y') is determined thus: let a confocal
hyperbola be described through (a;, y ) ; then the tangent to
the hyperbola at {x, y) intersects the asymptotes of the
hyperbola in the corresponding positions of {x, y ) . T h e
directrix of the parabola is 2a;'a; + 2y'y — x ' — y''- a' — b' = 0,

.36. From a point {x', y) tangents are drawn to a conic;

prove that the centre of the equilateral hyperbola, having
double contact with the conic at their points; of contact, is the
inverse of [x, y') with regard to the director circle.

37. To find the locus of the vertices of equilateral triangles

self-conjugate with regard to a given conic.
x' v'
Let the conic h e — , + ^ - \ = 8 = 0 , and let
a' b' '
a; cos a-1-,^ sin a = 6, a; coS;8+2^ sln;8 = 0,
be lines through the origin parallel to the two sides of the
triangle meeting in the vertex {x, y). Then, expressing that
these sides form a harmonic pencil with the tangents from {x, y).
22 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

w e have
cos a cos /8 (/ - it') + sin a sin /3 (a;' - a") - a;z/ sin (a -f /3) = 0,
or ,(a;'4 2^'-a''-&'')co8(a-;8)
= (a;" - / - c') cos (a + /S) -f 2a!y sin (a + /9),
now cos(a-/3)=i, anda-f/8 = 2ft»,

where cos0)=-^, sina>=-^, hence

a quartlc curve with a node at the origin.

If a" —35^ = 0, the locus breaks up into two imaginary
conies.
For the parabola y'' — Aax = 0, the locus is
y' {3x + la) - id' {x - 3a) = 0.

38. To find an expression for the radius of a circle circum-

scribing a triangle self-conjugate with regard, to a conic.
Double the area of the triangle formed by the lines

d' ^ F ^ "' a' ^ b' •'""' d'^b'^~^'

is equal to
a%' X, a-'. "^^
25 29
(a^ja -yi'»2) (y^^'a - y^^,) (^.^a - yi'^,) a a ' a2
y, y. .%
h" b" d'
1, 1 , 1
iaVA''
«^yPiP,p,'
 Examples and Problems on Conies. 23

where a, /S, 7 are the sides, and A the area of the tr

and ^„ ^j, ^3 are the perpendiculars from the centre of the
conic on the sides. But, if B be the radius of the circum-
scribing circle, ay87 = 4Ai?, therefore
„. id'b" A'
2A =
a'V
or 2B =
PiV,Pz
In the same way we canfindthe expression for the radius
of the circle circumscribing a triangle foi-med by two tangents
and their chord of contact (Salmon's Gonics, p. 230).

39. Given three points on a conic and that a directrix

touches a fixed conic, to find the locus of the corresponding
focus.
Let the tangential equation of the conic be
Ad' + B^' + Grf + 2.F/37 + 2 G^7a + 2.Ha/3 = 0,
then the equation of the locus is, if p„ p^, p^ are the distances
of a variable point from the threefixedpoints,
Api' + B p : + Gpi + 2Fpj>^ + 2 Op^p, + 2£p,p, = 0,
or, putting Ap^' + Bp'' + (7p/ = 2^,
8^ - 28' {F-'p:p: + G^'p: + ^V/p/) ± SFGRp.^pX'S
+f^p:p:+g^p:p:+e%x
- 2p.>/p; (G^iPp.^ f'h-'p:+ f' g'p;')=o,
which represents two curves of the eighth order having the
circular points at infinity for quadruple points.
If two sides of the fixed triangle are conjugate with
respect to thefixedconic, these two curves coincide.
If two pairs of sides are conjugate with respect to the
fixed conic, the locus is a bicircular quartic of which the
two corresponding vertices of the triangle are foci.
24 Examples and'Problems on Gonics.

If the triangle is self-conjugate with regard to the' conic,

the locus is the director circle of the conic.
If a directrix of the variable conic pass through a fixed
point, the locus of the corresponding focus Is a bicircular
quartic of which the three points are foci.
If this fixed point is the centre of one of the circles
touching the sides of the triangle, the locus is the circle
circumscribed to the triangle.
W e shall get similar results if w e substitute for the focus,
" the centre of a circle of given radius having double contact
with the conic," and for the directrix " the chord of contact of
this circle " (Salmon's Gonics, p. 230).
Let the chord of contact pass through the centre of a
circle touching the sides of the triangle, then (Salmon's
Gonics, p. 364) a S L n A ± ^ s i n S ± 7 sin G = 0, therefore
a m A V(pi' -T T(') ± sin B ^(p.; - /c') + sin G>J{p^' - k'') = 0,
where k is the radius of the circle having double contact with
the conic; hence, by Dr. Casey's equation (Salmon's Comes,
p. 114), w e see that-the circle having double contact with the
conic touches the circumscribing circle of the triangle.

40. Given three points on a conic, if a focus lie on a fixed

circle, prove that the corresponding directrix touches a curve
of the fourth class, of which the centres of the circles touching
the sides of the triangle formed by the points are double
points.

41. Given a self-conjugate triangle with regard to a conic,

if a directrix pass through a fixed point, to find the locus of the
corresponding focus.
Iip,p' are the perpendiculars from two points conjugate
with respect to a conic on its directrix, 8 the square of the
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 25

tangent from the corresponding focujs to the circle described

on the points as diameter, and e the eccentricity of the conic,
w e h a v e / S = e'''j?p'.
Hence, If the directrix pass through the fixed point
la. + m/S + ^ 7 = 0, the corresponding focus lies on the bicircular
quartic
l8A-\m8^8^^n8,8^ = 0.
This bicircular quartic circumscribes the triangle, passes
through the feet of the perpendiculars, and has four foci on
the polar circle.
If the directrix be parallel to a fixed line, the locus is a
circular cubic, of which the intersection of perpendiculars and
vertices of the triangle are centres of inversion.
If the directrix touch a fixed conic inscribed in the triangle,
the locus is the director circle of this conic.

42. A conic U is inscribed in a triangle self-conjugate

with regard to a conic Y ; prove that-the circles, having
double contact with F, whose chords of contact touch tJ, cut
orthogonally the director circle of U.

43. Given three tangents to a conic, and that a directrix

passes through a fixed point, to find the locus of the correspond-
ing focus.
If p, be the distance of the focus from a vertex A of the
triangle formed by the tangents, <^, the angle subtended at the
focus by the side opposite A t «. the perpendicular from A on
the directrix, and e the eccentricity of the conic, w e have
•' Q
(Salmon's Gonics, p." 177) ea = p, cos ^^ = tJ—', where 5, is
equal to the square of the tangent drawn from the focus to
the circle described on the side opposite A as diameter.
Hence, if the directrix pass through the fixed point whose
 26 Examples and Prpblems on Gonics.

tangential equation is Za + TO/3 + w7 = 0, the focus lies on

l p ^ 8 ^ + m p ^ 8 ^ + n p ^ 8 = 0 , which represents a bicircular quartic
circumscribing the triangle.
W h e n the fixed point is the intersection of the perpen-
diculars of the triangle, the quartic becomes the product of
the circumscribing and polar circles of the triangle. T h e
former circle belongs to the case w h e n the conic is a parabola.
If the directrix be parallel to a given line, the locus is a
circular cubic, as m a y be also proved thus: let x, y, z be the
perpendiculars from the focus on the sides of the triangle,
X, II, V the angles between the sides and the given line;
then a!'''+2ca! cosX—6''=0, y'-^2cy cos/i—6''=0, ^\-2ez cosj'-6^=0j
and, eliminating b and c, the locus is
a; cosX [if — z^)+y cos p. {z' - z') + s cos v (aj" — y'') = 0,
a circular cubic, of which the centres of the circles touching
the.sides are centres of inversion,

44. Given a self-conjugate triangle with regard to a conic,

and that half the length of the least axis is equal to the radius
of the polar circle, to find the envelope of the major aans.
If two points are conjugate with respect to a conic
3 2'
; S a ^ + |i
V - 1 = 0, w e have

a* ^ b^ i-w,

e"
which m a y be written 8^ = a* - ^p^p,^, where 8^ is the square
of the tangent from the origin to the circle described on the.
points as diameter, and p „ p ^ are the perpendiculars from the
points on the major axis.
 Examples and Problems on Conies. 27

But If A, B, G are the angles and A the area of the

triangle,
8^ i&nA + 8^ t a n 5 + 8^ tan (7= 2 A + i' t&uA t a n 5 tan G,
where t is the tangent drawn to the circumscribing circle of
the triangle. N o w i'=a" + 6', and r' = - 2 A cot^ cot B cot G,
where r is the radius of the polar circle. Hence

2A (1--2) + 7-3 (/37 tan^ + 7a tan5+a/3 tan (7) =0;

and the equation of the envelope is

^<y tan.4 + 7a tan.B + a ^ tan (7=0,
which represents a conic, Inscribed in the triangle, and con-
centric with the circumscribing circle.
If the latus-rectum of the variable conic be equal to the
radius of .the polar circle, the envelope of the major axis Is a
conic confocal with the conic just found.

45. Given a triangle inscribed in a conic, if the radical"

axis of the circumscribing circle and a circle 8, having
double contact with the conic, pass through the centre of an
inscribed circle, prove that the chord of contact of 8 touches
a conic, having the given triangle for a self-conjugate triangle,
and concentric with the same inscribed circle.

46. Given a self-conjugate triangle with regard to a

conic, if the radical axis of the polar circle of the triangle
and a circle 8, having double contact with the conic, pass
through the centre of the circumscribing circle, the chord of
contact of 8 touches a conic inscribed in the triangle.
, If the radical axis pass through the centre of the nine-
point circle, the chord of contact touches a conic Inscribed in
the triangle.
28 Ecbamples and Problems on Gonics.

47. A circle >S is inscribed in a triangle self-conjugate

with regard to a conic U= —a + fa - 1 = 0, and touches a line;

prove that the centre of 8 lies on the equilateral hyperbola

which has double contact with U where it is met by the line.
. a;'' •w'' 1 '
If the line touch the confocal conic —.-{• yz = -s—t^ , the
a 0 a +0 ' •
circle 8 has its centre on one or other of the tangents to U
where it is met by the line.
If circles inscribed in triangles, self-conjugate with regard
to Z7, have their centres on a fixed line, show that they have
double contact with a conic whose foci are the points where
the fixed line meets U.
Conversely, if a circle have double contact with U (the
chord of contact being parallel to the minor axis) show that
it is .Inscribed In triangles self-conjugate with regard to
the conic
V'{x'-c')-aY-^%fy = 0,
where/is an arbitrary constant.

48. Given a triangle circumscribed to a conic and the

length (2a) of the major axis, tofindthe locus of the foci.
Let A , B , <7 be the angles of the triangle, and p„ p^, p^
the distances of a point from its vertices; then p, sln.4,
Pj sin 5 , pg sin G are the sides of the triangle formed by the
feet of the perpendiculars from the point on the sides of the
given triangle, and a is the radius of the circle passing through
the feet of the perpendiculars. Hence
d' {2p;\' siifA am'B + 2p;'p^' sid'B airfC

+ 2p,V sin'G sinM - p,* sin*J. - p* a'm*B- p,* sin'C)

= /'1V2V3' sin'-^ aitfB ahfC

 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 29

from the expression for the radius of the circumscribing circ

of a triangle in terms of the sides.
N o w . w e m a y infer from Ptolemy's theorem that the
expression between the brackets is equal to
4slnMsin''5sin'(7i!*,

where t is the length of the tangent to the circumscribing

circle.
' Hence PjPjPg = 2ai', a curve of the sixth order. W e have
also p^p^p^ = i a f for the other focus; but ft'^ = iFB', where
B is the radius of the circumscribing circle, from the invariant
relation between the conic and the circumscribing circle of a
circumscribed triangle; therefore

"" " Ua'b' '

49. The equation of the circle described on a chord of a

conic as diameter is

; (a'Z'+ b'm^) {x^ + f ) - 2 a H x - 2 V m y + a H V - d V (Z'-fm=) = 0,

O}' if
where -^ + ^ — 1 = U = 0, and lx + m y — 1 = 0, are the equa-
tions of the conic and chord respectively.
This equation m a y be written

iF + m')(i, + ^-l) + ^Alx^my-l)(lx-my-^)=0,

showing that the circle meets the conic again on the line

Ix — my — a— = 0.
Hence, if the circle touch the curve, the chord touches
<^' , f _ c'-
d''^b' ~ {a^\b'f
30 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

If the ratio of the lengths of an internal and external

c o m m o n tangent of the director circle, £(*id the circle de-
scribed on a chord as diameter, be given, the chord touches
a confocal conic; for, if m be the ratio, and a the semi-axis
major of the conic touched by the chord, w e can show that
, ,a d'b' f l - m V
a' + b' \l+mj
If the circle described on the chord Ix + m y — 1 = 0 as
diameter cut orthogonally the fixed circle
8=x' + y'-2ax-2^y + F = Q,
the chord touches the conic
a' {k' - b') V + y {W - a') V ' - 2d'a.l - 2V'^m + a" -f 5' = 0.

It jT^—7j + y^ 5 = a +0 , tbe chord passes through one or

li — 0 K ^a '
other of twofixedpoints; and 8 is then the polar circle of
the triangle formed by the line joining the points and the
tangents to U where it is met by this line.
T h e circles described on parallel chords of a conic as
diameters have double contact with a concentric conic.

50. For the equilateral hyperbola x' — y' — a" = C= 0, the

circle described on the chord Ix + m y - ^ 1 = 0 as diameter,
coincides with the polar circle of the triangle. formed by the

tangents to ZZfrom the point a; = y-, y= —, and their chord

of contact.
Prove that the circles described on conjugate or rect-
angular chords of an equilateral hyperbola as diameters cut
orthogonally.

51. To show that the algebraic sum of the reciprocals of

the common tangents of a circle and a conic is equal to zero.
 E x a m p l e s a n d Problems on Gonics. 31

Let a!cosw-f 2/sinw-A/{(a^cos^/; + &''sin''M))} = 0 be a

tangent of the conic, and let p be the perpendicular on it
from the point (a;', y')-, then -^ is the reciprocal of the
common tangent of the conic and a circle of radius p, whose
centre is (a;', y').
Hence, for the four c o m m o n tangents,

S - = -^ 2w = 0, as we shall show.
t dp '
Putting e*" = s i n
x' cosw 4- y' sin w —p - h/{a^ cos" w-\-b' sin" w) = 0,
w e obtain *
{{x' -iy') z^ - 2pz + a;' + iy']' - {c'z' + 2 (a" + b') z' + d
from the absolute term of which equation we deduce, if
2a;'«'
" t a n 2 ^ =—;5 jr^ 5, 2 w = 4^. S w Is therefore Independent
ofp.
If the circle touch the conic, w e have
1 1 _2pcotg
2>
where r is the radius of the circle, p the radius of curvature
of the conic at the point of contact, and 9' the angle which
the diameter of the conic at the s a m e point m a k e s with the
curve. W e can s h o w in a similar m a n n e r that a circle
meets a conic at angles, the s u m of whose cotangents is
equal to zero.
If a circle touching a conic meet the curve again at angles
2r' cot 9
a and B, w e have cota + cot/3 = -; r- , where 9 has the
' _ {p-n
s a m e m e a n i n g as before.
32 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

52. A triangle is circumscribed to^ an ellipse 8, and in-

scribed in a confocal ellipse; to show that the osculating
circles of 8 at the points of contact of the sides touch the fourth
common tangent of 8 and the inscribed circle.
Using tangential coordinates, the equation of 8, referred
to the triangle, is ;w.v sln"^^ + vX sin^^^+X/i sin'•'^C' = 0,•
a n d i 2 — 4 S ' = 0 , represents the confocal conic circumscribed'
to the triangle where A , B , 0 are the angles of thetriangle,
and
i2 = X" + /a" + v" — 2/iv cos A — 2vX c o s B — 2\fi cos G.
T h e n 8 — {X sin"|5 + p, sin"^^) [iK + mp,) = 0, represents a
conic having contact of the second order with 8 on the side
opposite v; and expressing that this conic passes through the
points represented; by i2 = 0, w e obtain the equation of the
circle osculating 8 on the side opposite v in the form
^ f (2mflB \ /2sin"4^ \ Y ^

But this equation is satisfied by

•^_ 1 1 1
coaB — cosC coaG—coaA- cos-4 —cos5'
which are the coordinates of the fourth c o m m o n tangent of 8
and the inscribed circle. T h e three osculating circles have,
therefore, this line for a c o m m o n tangent.

53. Given four tangents to a conic, to find the locus of the

centre of a circle of given radius having double contact with the
curve.
Let Za-f ?W;3 +w7-fj5S = 0 be an identical relation con-
necting the four tangents a, /3, 7, S, and let r be the given
radius; then the equation of the locus is
I V(a" -r'') + m V(/S" - r ' ) + n ^(7' - r') + p V(S" - r') = 0, ,
 Examples and'Problems on Gonics, 33

which represents a curve of the sixth order passing through

the circular points at infinity, and the points at infinity on
the diagonals of the quadrilateral formed by the tangents.
Putting r = S, w e see that the locus of the points where
the normal at the point of contact of one of the tangents
meets the axes of the conic, is a cubic passing through the
points where S Is met by a, /S, 7.
Given three tangents to a parabola, the locus of the centre
of a circle of given radius, having double contact with the
curve, is a unicursal curve of thefifthorder.

54. Given four points on a conic, to find the locus of the

centre of a circle of given radius having double contact with
the curve.
Let p„ pjj, Pg, p^ be the distances of a point from the four
points, I, m , n, p the areas of the four triangles formed
by the points, and r the given radius; then the equation of
the locus is

I 'Jip^-»•')+ m V(p/ -r')+n V(p/ - r') + p V(p/ - r') = 0,

which represents a curve of the sixth order. (Salmon's

Gonics, p. 206, E x . 10).
If the four points lie on a circle, the locus breaks up into
two circular cubics whose foci are situated on a concentric
circle.
If the four points form a parallelogram, the locus reduces
to a curve of the fourth order. 1
Putting r = p^, w e see that the locus of the points where
the normal at one of the given points meets the axes of
the conic is a conic; but w h e n the given points lie on a
circle, the locus consists of two lines passing through the
centre of the circle.
 34 Examples and Problems on Conies.

55. If Pi, Pj, are the distances of a variable point from the
foci of a conic, and if w e put pj^ = 2acos'^9, p^ = 2a sln'-^^,
2 2
for a point on the curve, '"' ^ + . L/, - i a ^ = 0 will re-
cos |-p s m ^p
present a circle having double contact with the conic. This
equation will becoriie, if w e put
Pj-+P2=2ju., pj—pj, = 2v, /t"+v'-2/iVCOs^ —a'sin'^ = 0.
Difiierentiating the equation of the circle and eliminating 9,
W e obtain for the differential equation of the system of circles
d/i dv _
\J{d'-ijf)j- V(«'-v')"*
Hence, two circles of the system m a k e equal angles with
the confocal conies which pass through their points of inter-
section.
To find the angle between the two circles that pass through
a point. Transforming the equation
/I' + v' — 2/iv cos 9 — d'abf9 = 0
to Cartesian coordinates by means of the relations
/i' -f v' = aj' + y -f c", fiv = ex,
w e find If r be the radius of the circle, and x' the abscissa of
its centre r = 5 sin^, a;' = c cos^. Hence, it d is the distance
between the centres of two circles,
d = - 2c B m ^ { 9 - 9') sin^ {9 + 9'),
and <^'= r° + r" — 2r/cos (^, where 0 is the angle sought.
But solving for the intersection of the circles, w e obtain
IJi = a c Q a \ { 9 -ff),v = a cos^ {9 + 9'); therefore

^*°''''~Vl(/*'-c')(«'-v")'
 Examples and Problems on Conies. 35

If the circles cut at right angles, the locus of their in-

tersection is the concentric conic passing,, through the foci

x' + (,—75— )y^ = e^. If the circles cut at a constant angle,

the locus of their intersection Is a curve of the fourth order.

56. If t be the length of an external c o m m o n tangent

of two circles of the system,
t = ^ { d ^ - { r - r'Y} = 2 sinj {9 -ff)V{a'' sin'^ {9 + 9') - If]

= -?V{(a'-/^^)(c'-v')}.

If -^ be the angle which the same tangent makes with the

axis am.->^=—j—= cat\{9-\- 9'), and for an external

Cb 0
common tangent sini^' = cot^ {9 — 9').
c
Hence, one or other of the c o m m o n tangents Is parallel to
a fixed line w h e n the Intersection of the circles lies on a
confocal conic.

57. I f n circles, having double contact with a conic, form,

with a single point of intersection of each, a polygon n — 1 of
whose vertices move along confocal conies, the n*^ vertex will
also move along a confocal conic.
This follows at once from the expressions for p., v in
terms of 9, 9'.
For a triangle the semi-axes /*„ p,^, /*, of the confocal
ellipses are connected by the relation
a ^ - a (yx,» + /i/ + fi^) + 2p,,fi^fi^ = 0.

58. If d be the distance between the centres of two circles

^=??v{(a-^')(a=-v»)i=^^y(i-^;-i;)
in Cartesian coordinates.
 36 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

Hence, the theorem In the last example is true, if we sub-

stitute for confocal conies " concentric, similar, and similarly-
situated conies."

69. If A, B are the base angles of the triangle formed by

the centres of two circles and a point of intersection, w e have
L , A , IT. r + r'-d bfi + c f/{d' - ff) . .
taniJ. t a n i 5 = - ^ ^ — . = ~ — f r i — ^ = ^ constant,
2 2 ^^/^^ bfi-ci^{a'- /f)
if the intersection of the circles lies on a confocal ellipse.
And -—7^7 is constant if the intersection of the circles H
tan ^.5
on a confocal hyperbola. If the difference of A and B is
given, the locus of the intersection of the circles is an equi-
lateral hyperbola passing through the foci,

60. The centres of similitude of two circles having double

contact with a conic are harmonically conjugate with the
^
foci.

We have x =-^^f^'= ^^^f^>;

and ,_ccoa^{9 + e')_

^""^ "'- cos|(^-^') '
therefore xx' = c\
For the system of circles which have their centres on the
inor axis of the conic, the circle described on the 'line joining
the centres of similitude as diameter passes through the foci.

61. If tangents be drawn from the foci to circles having

double contact with a conic, show that the product of the
sines of the angles they m a k e with the axis is constant.

62. The square of the distance from a focus of a point

of intersection qf two circles having double contact with a conic
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. '61

*s equal to the product of the distances from the same

of their points of contact. The equations of the circles may
be written In Cartesian coordinates
a;' + f-2e-x^x + e'a;,'-5" = 0, »= + /-2e'a;^x + e^x^-V = 0,
where a;,, x^ are the abscissa of the points of contact. Hence,
for a point of intersection, we have
x^-{• y''-V = e\x^, 2x = x^ + x^;
therefore y' + {x±0)' = {a + ex^) {a±ea;J.

63. If two circles having double contact with a conic

intersect In the points (a;', ±y'), the equation of the circle
passing through their points of contact may be written
x'-^-f- 2e'x'x + x" + y " - 2 b ' ~ 8 = 0.
If yS befixed,and the conies form a confocal system, the
locus of the points (a;', ± y') is a circle cutting 8 orthogonally.
If the points {x', ±y') arefixed,and the conies form.a
confocal system, 8 has double contact with the Cartesian oval
(a? + 2/" + x'^ + y" + 2c")^ - 16cVa; = 0.
If the radius of 8 is given, the locus of {x, + y') is the conic
a y + V (2a" - V) x' = a* (2 J" - r').
If the tangents to 8 from {x', ±y') contain a constant
angle, the polars of {x, ± y') with regard to the given conic
are touched by a confocal.

64. The envelope of the polar of a fixed point with

regard to the circles having double contact with a conic is
a parabola.
For the system of circles which have their centres on the
minor axis of the conic, the envelope is
, ,,, i a W (XX «?/' ,\
38 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

a;' w"
{x', y') being the fixed point, and -, -f fj-- 1 = 0 the equation
of the conic. Putting y' = 0, x' = c, we see that the feet of
the perpendiculars from a focus on its polars with regard to
this system of circles lie on the corresponding directrix.

65. Tangents parallel to a given line are drawn to the

circles having double contact with a conic; show that their
points of contact lie on a concentric conic passing through
the foci.

66. T h e radical axes of a fixed circle, and the system of

circles having double contact with a conic, touch a parabola
which passes through the points of intersection of the conic
and the fixed circle. W e have two parabolas for the two
systems of circles, the axis of the parabola being, in each
case, parallel to the chords of contact of the circles.
Hence, if circles having double contact with a conic be
described to touch a fixed circle, the tangents at the points
of contact are touched by the corresponding parabola.

67. To find the locus of the centres of similitude of a fixed

circle, and the system of circles having double contact with
a conic.
If a, /8 are the perpendiculars from the foci of the conic
on a line, a tan^9 + ^ cot^9 — 2b='2 = 0 will be a tangential
equation of a circle having double contact with the conic
ajS — 5' = 0; and if 'f — r ' = 2 ' = 0 be the equation of the
2b
fixed circle, a tan ^ 5 + /S cot J^ ± — y = 0 will be the equation
of a centre of similitude of S and S'. The envelope of this
equation with respect to 9 gives the locus required, viz.
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 39

"P ~ p 7^ = 0, which represents a conic touching the common

tangents of S' and the given conic.
This conic passes through the points on 2 where it is
touched by circles of the system S' = 0.

68. Taking two circles

a ta.11^9 + yS cotl9 - 2 b = 0, a tan ^9' •+ ^ cot^9' - 25 = 0,
having double contact with the conic a/3 — 6" = 0, w e have for
their c o m m o n tangents
6" - aj8 = (a + /S)' tan"i {9 - 9').
Hence, w h e n their c o m m o n tangents touch a concentric,
similar and similarly situated conic, the intersection of the
circles lies on a confocal conic; for the angle 9 Is that used
in E x . 55.
For the system of circles which have their centres on the
minor axis, if the tangents to the conic from the Intersection
of the circles contain a constant angle, their c o m m o n tangents
will touch a confocal conic.

69. If a right line touch two circles having double contact

with a conic, its points of contact with them lie on the same
concentric, similar and similarly situated eonic.
Let x c o s w + y s m w — p = 0, y^ + {x — ccoa9y—b^a\d'9=0
be the equations of the line and one of the circles respectively,
and let {x, y) be the coordinates of their point of contact;
then
a; = c cos6 + 5 sin^ cosw, y = b a m 9 s m w ,
p = b sin 9 + c cos 9 cos w ;

hence % + ^ = -„{p' + {c'coa'9- F sin' 9) ain'w}

a 0 a '^•^ ^ ' '
•2/1-2 »" + c"sln'w a'"
-f sin 9 sin w = ^ = — ,
40 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

where'a' Is half the major axis of the confocal conic touched

2 3 '2 •
by the line. T h e conic —^ + C = t j therefore, passes through
the points where the line is touched by both the circles.
Putting a' = c, w e see that the tangents drawn to the
circles from a focus have their points of contact on the conic

" 2 T^ 7.2 — ^ '

a 0
70. To find the distance between the centres of the two
circles which touch the line xcosw + y s'mw—p = 0. _ From
the equationp—bsin9 — c cos9 cosw = 0 , or
co3^9 {a' cos"w + &" sln"w) — 2c^ cosw cos9 +p^ — 5" = 0,
£ 1 a a' 25V{(«'cos"w+J"sIn"w-«")}
we find cos 9-coa9 = —^^-^—rr. „ ., i-Jl.
a coa w + 0 am w
N o w J = c(cos^-cos^'), and if S be the intercept of the
line on the conic
g _ 2a5 \/{(a" cos'w + b" sln'w -p')} _
a"cos"w) + 6"sin"w '
therefore o?=eS.

71. To find the condition that four circles, having double

cpntact with a conic, should be all touched by the same circle.
If the circles
(a;-ccos^)" + y-5"sin'6'=0, (a;- a)"-f (3/-/3)'-»•'= 0,
touch one another, w e have
{r±b sin 9)' = (a - c cos (9)' + ^\
N o w this equation also expresses that the point whose co-
ordinates are c cos^, ib a m 9 , lies on'the circle
{x-d)' + {y-irY + l3'=0.
Hence, from the k n o w n condition that four points on a conic
should lie on a circle, w e have 9^ + 9^+9^ + 9^ = 0,
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 41

« When this condition Is satisfied, a confocal conic passing

through the Intersection of one pair of circles will also pass
through the Intersection of the remaining pair (see E x . 55).
If four circles having double contact with a parabola be
all touched by the same fifth circle, the algebraic s u m of
their radii is equal to zero.

72. Three pairs of osculating circles of a conic can be

described to touch a circle which has double con*tact with
the conic.
If circles be described to have double contact with the
conic at the points of contact of each pair of these osculating
circles, they will Intersect on the confocal conic
sf y^ _x
^"'" a ' - 4 c " ~ * '

73. To find the equations of the circles which touch three

given circles having double contact with a conic

From the equation of the circle passing through three

a;" v"
points on the conic -^ - fj = 1, w e obtain (see E x . 1), if the
c o
equation of the circle sought is
x^ + y'' -2Ax~2By + G=0,

A= "^ cosi (^, + ^2) cosi {9, + 9^) cosi (^3 + ^.),

^ = + i V{c" - d co3"i(^, 4 9:1} {d - a" cos"i {9^ + 6^)}

be
xlc"-a"co8"i(^3+^.)},
0= ia"{cos(0,+ ^,)-fcos(0,+ ^3) + cos(03 + ^,)}-i(a=-25").
 42 Examples and Problems on Gonics,

Also, if B is the radius of this circle,

B = j slni {9^ + 9^) sini [9^+9^) am\ {9^ + 9,).

The equations of three other pairs of circles are obtained

by altering the signs of two of the angles 9^, 9,^, 9^.

74. To find the angle between a tangent to a conic and

a circle having double contact with the conic.
Let the tangent be

X coQ w-+y sin w =p = \f{(f cos" w + V sin" w),

and the circle a;"+ [y - /3)"=r'=a" (l + ^ ) • Now, if 61 b

Bp
angle required, rcoa9 = ^ sin w — p , and r siri6* = c sinw + — .
^ G
,I
Let M = aslna, csinw = acosa, B = ccot(b, and r = —.—r,
•^ ' ' ' sm</)'
then 9 = 0. —cf). '
Hence, the tangents to a conic meet tw& fixed circles,
^ having double contact with the conic, at angles whose sum
or dlfiFerence is constant.
Also a variable circle having double contact with a conic
meets two fixed tangents to the conic at angles whose sum
or difference Is constant.

75. To express the same angle in terms of the coordinates

{x, y) of the intersection of the tangent and circle.
•XTT n 3 „ a + ex a —ex
W e find cos 9 = , or = — ; — , where p, p are the
P _ P '^' '^
distances of (a;, y) from the foci; 9 is therefore equal to half
the angle which the points of contact of tangents from {x, y)
subtend at a focus (Salmon's Gonics, Art. 121).
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 43

This result may be obtained by means of elliptic coor-

dmates; for the diflferential equation of the tangents to the
conic ytt = a. Is

^^ , ^v -0
V(i^^ - a") (^" - c") * V(«^ - O {d - v") - "•
(Williamson's Integral Calculus, p. 249, E x . 32), and that
of the circles is
/u.cZ/i vdv _
V(A<."-a")(/*"-c") - V(«'-v")(c-^-v")" '
as can be seen by integrating and transforming to Cartesian
coordinates. But when two curves are represented by the
equations in elliptic coordinates,
Pdp. + Qdv = 0, P'dp,+ Q'dv = 0,
the angle 9 between them is given by
{Pg'-P'<3)V(yc."-c")(c"-v").
~ PP'{ff-c')+QQ'{d'-v') '
whence, in the present case,
. >J{jf — a") (a" — v ) , „ <f + u,v
tang = ^^^. - •'\ ' and cosg= "^ , .
(a ± /iv) a{ii + v)
Hence it m a y be deduced, that the tangents drawn to
a conic from the centre of a circle having double contact
with it meet the circle on the directrices.

76. Two circles are described through a point {x, y) to

have double contact with a conic; to find the angle subtended
by their centres at a focus. ~
A circle ha,vlng double contact with the conic being
written
cc"+2/'-2/32^-a"-|^' = 0.
44 Examples and Problems on Gonics,

we have for the two circles of the system which pass t

(f»j y)
^A=J («' - ^^ - y% /5. - ^,='-f ^8,

where /Se— -i- f, - 1;

2db'J8
but t a n ^ = ^ i ? ^ , =,
d +fifi^' a;^ + / - a ^ - & " '
or, the angle sought is equal to the angle between the
tangents drawn to the curve from {x, y) (Salmon's Goni
Art. 169, Ex. 3).

77. To find the envelope of the tangents to the circle

having double contact with a conic at the points wher
circles are intersected by a fixed tangent to the coni
Writing the circle

x'+f- 2/3^ - a" - -' /3" = 8= 0,

c
and the fixed tangent
- cosd + |lsin(f)- 1 = 0,
a b '
we have for a point (a;', y) of their intersection
bB . f\ . ^-bB
5d>±(eH
cose sind)) , sincft-i-—cosc6
X '^ \ ac 'JJ yy ^ ac ^
a l±ecos(j> ' b l + ecos^
The tangent to 8 at {x, y) is, then,

aa; j cos ^+ (eH sIn«^U+ & (y-/3) -^slnc^T — cos^l

- (-,^'-f/82/+a")(l±ecos0) = O,

which touches, when /3 varies, one or other of two par

 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 45

78. Through the centre of a circle having double contact

with a conic tangents are drawn to a confocal conic; show
that they intersect the circle on two chords of intersection of
the conies.

79. Let 8^{x- d)^ + y'' — r'=0 be a circle having

a;" if
double contact with the conic -; + f? — 1 = 0, and
a b
;S' = a;"+(3/-/3)"-r'" = 0,
a circle having double contact with the confocal conic

a - 4 - ^ = «'
r" a" r" /9"
then
F^ d ' a'" c" = 1;
r" a" + ^" r' + r"-
- 2rr' cos 0
therefore -^ — Tj =
a 0 c c
where ^ Is the angle at which 8 and 8' intersect.
Hence, when 0 is given, the ratio of r to r is constant.
Putting r = nr, w e have
J"a" + «"a'"/3" = c"(6"-«"a'"),

showing that the Une joining the centres of 8 and 8' is

normal to
x\ f c"
V ^ n^d' b'-n'd^'
which represents a conic confocal with the given conies.
If (a;, y) be a centre of similitude of 8 and 8', w e have,
in the same case,

bx+ay- ^^^^^, ,
46 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

when, therefore, 8 and 8' touch, the point of contact lies on

2 2
X y
1- — = 1.
a'" ^ 5"
80. If, in the preceding example, 8 and 8 cut orthogo-.
nally, show that they intersect on two chords of intersection
of the given conies.

81. Two circles having double contact with a conic are

described to touch a tangent to a confocal conic; to show that
the angle subtended by their centres at a focus is constant.
Expressing that the circle
x'+{y-B)''-r'' = 0

has double contact with the conic

2 a

and touches the line

X cosw + y B m w — p = 0,
w e have
r"' /3"
^
0/ c
Eliminating /3, w e obtain from the equation in r,
if + c" sin'w
T r ^- ''
* " 1 - e' sin'-w '
and eliminating r from the equation in /3,

'^'•^^ l-iam'w'
But, if 0 be the angle sought,
r,r^co%^ = ^ f i ^ + d ;
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 47

therefore
...^-^'(2«-/-c'sln"w) /2 IN
^ / + c'^sin"w W" «";'
where a' is the transverse semi-axis of the CQnfocal conic
touching the line.
A s a particular case w e have :— T h e circles drawn through
the foci to touch a variable tangent to a conic cut each other
under a constant angle.

82. To find the orthogonal trajectory of the system of

circles having double contact with a conic.
T h e differential equation of the system of circles-being
p^dp, vdv
V(/^"- d ) {p,'- e') ~ V(a"-.v")(c"-;'") = ^'
that of the orthogonal trajectory will be

f v'(^') ^ ? V(fc^')-•
Taking the lower sign and integrating, w e obtain

log 1^ V(/." - c") + ^ V(/^' - a^)} {^ V(c= -v') + l V(«' - v"

-e log {V(/^'- - d) + ^{if - c-)] {V(a" - v") + ^/{d - v")}

= a constant.
If, then, the eccentricity of the conic be the ratio of
two Integers, the orthogonal trajectoiy will be algebraic.
For the system of circles which have their centres on the
major axis, the orthogonal trajectory is transcendental w h e n
the curve is an ellipse and algebraic w h e n the curve is an
m
hyperbola whose eccentricity = - j — i — r ^ , where m and n
are Integers.
48 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

83. A-conic has double contact with two fixed circles, the
circles belonging to different systems ; to show that its eccentricity
is given.
If the circles
{x-df + f-r' = 0, x'+{y-^y-r" = 0,
have double contact with the conic

a" r" , r" /3" ,

w e have ^ + ^ = 1, ^--^=1;
„2
therefore d' = ir'^ — :
1-e" '
where d is the distance between the centres of the circles.
Hence it can be shown that the locus of the foci of this
system of conies cqnsists of two pairs of circles concentric
with the given circles.

84. To show that the asymptotes, in the same case, pass

throughfixedpoints.
Let A , B be the centres of the given circles, and G the
centre of the conic, then A G B is a right angle, and the
asymptotes are Inclined to G A and G B at constant angles;
they, therefore, pass through fixed points on the circle
described on A B as diameter.

85. If two circles are connected by a certain relation, an

infinite number of equilateral hyperbolas can be described to
have double contact with them.

86. A conic has double contact with two fixed circles, the
circles belonging to different systems / tofindthe envelope of its
directrices.
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 49

T h e conic
x'' + y''-2ax + ] f - e" {x cos a. + y sin a)" = 0,
has double contact with the circles
x' + y^-2atx+k^ = 0, (1 - e") {x' + y^) - 2a.x-^¥ = 0,
the origin being a limiting point of the circles.
Now a!cosa + y sina —2? = 0
will be a directrix of the conic when
x' + if — 2aa; + If + dp^ — 2fp {x cos a + ^ sin a) = 0
represents a point; which condition gives
, e " ( l - e " ) p " - 2 e V c o s a - f F - a " = 0,
showing that the directrix touches a conic having the origin
for focus.

87. To find the envelope of the director circles of the same

system of conies.
T h e equation of the conic being the same as in the last
example, the equation of the director circle is
(1-e") {x'+y') -2asx{l-e' sin"a) -2e"ayslnacosa+F(2-e")-a"=0.
T h e envelope is, therefore, the Cartesian oval
{{l-e^){x' + y') - { 2 - e')a:x+k' {2-e')-d'Y-e'a?{x'+f)=0.

88. Let 8 he B, variable circle having double contact

with a hyperbola, and 8^, 8^, two fixed circles of the other
system having double contact with the hyperbola; if i, be
a c o m m o n tangent of 8 and 8^, and t^ of 8 and 8^, shew
that t^- t^= a. constant.

89. Given three circles with their centres on a line,, there

is one conic which has double contact with them.
n
50 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

If 8^, 8^, Sg are the equations of the circles in Cartesian

coordinates, I, m , n the distances between their centres,
•l^8,+ m ^ 8 , + n'^S, = 0,
represents the conic which has double contact with the circles
If 2 „ S.^, Sg are the squares of the intercepts of a fine
on the circles, the tangential equation of the conic m a y be
written I V S , + m \/l^ + n V S g = 0.

90. If in the preceding example, the line joining the

centres of the circles is the major axis of the conic, tbe
eccentricity (e) of the conic is given by
e" Imn
1 — e' Ir^ + m r ^ + nr^ '
where r^, r^, r^ are the radii of the circles.
If the same line is the minor axis of the conic,
., Imn
g^ =
Ir^ + mr'^ + nr^ '
In thefirstcase the foci of the conic are the double points
of the involution determined by the centres of similitude
of the circles (see E x . 60).
In the second case the foci of the conic are the points
at which the centres of similitude of each pair of circles
subtend a right angle.

91. A conic has double contact with two fixed circles,

the circles belonging to the same system; shew that its
asymptotes touch a parabola of which the middle point of
the centres of the circles is the focus.

92. The envelope of the director circle of the same conic

is a Cartesian oval, of which the middle point of the centres
of the circles is the double focus, and the centres of similitude
of the circles are single foci.
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 51

93. To find the locus of the points through which the conies,
drawn to have double contact with two fixed circles, cut
orthogonally.
W h e n the circles belong to different systems, the locus
is found to be a bicircular quartic having the centres of
the circles for double foci.
W h e n the circles belong to the same system, the locus
is the circle described on the line joining the centres of
similitude of the circles as diameter.

94. A variable circle has double contact with a conic;

shew that the tangents, drawn through one of the points
of contact to a fixed confocal conic, intercept on the circle
segments of given length.

95. PP', QQ[ are chords of a conic, parallel to an axis

of the curve; if circles through P P ' intersect circles through
Q Q on the curve, shew that the distance between their
centres is constant.

96. If pairs of circles, having their centres on an axis

and cutting each other orthogonally, be described through a
fixed point on a conic, the circles passing through the variable
points where they meet the curve again have a common radical
axis.
T h e circle passing through two points a;,, x^ on the conic

a b
m a y be written
x' + 2/"- e' {x^ + x^x-\- f x ^ x ^ - T f = 8 = 0 .
N o w , a. being the abscissa of the fixed point, the circles
nf + y ' - e" (a -|- a:,) a; + e"aa!, - &" = 0,
x^+f-e' (a + x^x + e"aa;,- &" = 0,
52 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

cut orthogonally, when

e* (a + xJ (a + x^ - 2e"a {x^ + a;J + 4&" = 0,
subject to which condition 8 passes through the points deter-
mined by
a > = ( J - l ) a , ^•'+if = [l+^-^b' + e'a\

These points lie on the circle

2 I 2 ^"' 2.2 '2 '2 n
X + y — ^ a ; + a + c —e a =0,
a
which represents the circle cutting the conic at right angles
at the points where it is met by a; = a.
97. If r be the radius and x' the abscissa of the centre
of the circle
x' +y''- — x + d'+ d- eV = 0,
a. '
w e have
r=- {x'-'-a){x"'-d)
X
This equation is not altered by interchanging a and c;
whence w e infer that the circles cutting the conic

^ + 1-1 = 0,
orthogonally at points on a perpendicular to the transverse
axis, and the circles related to the conic
'i 2
X y ^ ^
— 1 = 0
c" b' '
In a similar manner, belong to the same system algebraically.
98. The envelope of the system of circles
2a"
x' + y* aJ4 a"-c"4 e"a" = 0.
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 53

is {x? + y^+d + cj - 27aVx' = 0,

or in elliptic coordinates
{p:'+v'+d'y-27aYf = 0,
which m a y be written
p,' + v + a' = 0.

99. The length of the tangent drawn from a focus to

a circle cutting a conic orthogonally at points P, Q, P Q
being parallel to the transverse axis, is equal to the semi-
diameter parallel to the tangent at P. Also, the angle
between the tangents from a focus to the circle equals tt- 2^,
where <j) Is the eccentric angle at P.

100. If the circles

a;^ + y_-f^a!4a" + c"-e"a" = 0,

a

cut each other orthogonally, the line joining their centres

touches the conic
t.-yl= "^^
d' b' d'+V
101. To describe through a point on a conic circles cutting
the curve twice at right angles.
Eliminating y between the equations

, ?! + |!-i=o,
a 0
a,» + V^-^a!4a'4c"-e"a" = 0,
" a.
and dividing by a; - a, w e obtain
e"(a" + a:a)-2a" = 0.
54 Examples and Problems on Gonics.-

Hence two circles may be described, and the circles p

through the variable points where they meet the curve again
passes throughfixedpoints on the minor axis.

102. If normals be drawn from a point to a conic, and

the line joining the feet of two normals pass through a fixed
point, to shew that the line joining the feet of the other two
normals touches a parabola.
If one chord of intersection of

8^^;+^;-i=o„

and c'xy + d'y'x — a^x'y = 0,

{Salmon's Gonics, Art. 181, Ex. 1) .Is

Ix + my 4 w = 0,
the other must be
Vx a\j d'b' „
-^ 4-'^ = 0.
t m n
Hence, If one chord pass through thefixedpoint {x', y'),
the other touches the parabola

y(-7)V(-f')-
The locus of the Intersection of normals, at the extremities
of a chord which touches the parabola

V(Xa;) 4 '^{P'y) = 1
is a curve of the third order (Salmon's Gonics, Art.

103. A triangle being inscribed in a conic

^^4^-1 = 0,
 Examples and Problems ori Gonics. 55

and circumscribed to a conic

8'= —X + ^
y-1 =0

the normals to 8 at the vertices of the triangle pass through

a point; tofindthe locus of the point.
Writing down the conditions that the sides of the triangle
{8almon''s Gonics, Art. 231, E x . 2) should touch 8', and
eliminating a' and b', w e obtain a relation which expresses
that the normals pass through a point.
Forming the invariants of 8 ' and
8 " = 2 {c'xy 4 Vy'x - dx'y),
w e have, since 8 " circumscribes a triangle circumscribed
about 8',
/2 I'2
a^ ^ V ^ ~
104. If, in the preceding example,
, d ,, V
a=-.,b=--„
relations which agree with
d V_
a ~ 6~ '
the invariant relation between 8 and 8', the normals at
the vertices of the triangle intersect on the curve.
T h e locus of the centre of the circumscribing circle is,
in this case (see E x . 12),
dx' + b Y = ldV;
and the envelope of the circumscribing circle is the bicircular
quartic ^ ^
^x' + y'-d-b'f-dF{^-,\\)=0.
56 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

105. Tofindthe locus of the centroid of the same triangle.

Eliminating y between

^, 4 I2 -1 = 0, c'xy 4 bYx - dx'y = 0,

we obtain
c V - 2d'dx'x' 4 d' {d'x'" 4 b'y" - d) x' + &c. = 0.
,_2a" ,
Hence X^+ X^+ X^ + X — .^ X ,
since x' is one of the roots of the equation in x ; therefore
, {d+W) , , . ., 1 ., {a^ + b') , , . .
3a; = g—-X, and similarly 6y = — ^ ^—'-y, whence the
c c
equation of the locus Is ^
^" «" _ 1 {d'+by
a" "^ 5" ~ 9 c*
Tofindthe area of the same triangle.

W e have
2/ij y^-, y^ 2 A
1, 1, 1
therefore, squaring
Sa;", Sajy, 2a;
4A" = Sa-j/, S / , 2y
2a; , 2j/ , 3
But we have
{d' + b') , „ (a" 4 5") ,

9«''
we also find 2£c" = ^ {(a" 4 2c") a;'" - %'" 4 c'},
c
9/)''
22'' = ^U&'-2c")2/'"-a"a;'"4c*},
(a== + 5y , ,
 Examples a n d Problems on Gonics, 57

Hence, substituting and reducing by means of the eq

a" ^ F ^'
we obtain

A^=~ [{d'-2br'j,- { 2 d ' - b J ^ .

106. From the point where a normal to the conic

a;" «"
-; 4 T? — 1 = 0 touches the evolute, two other normals are
o" b' '
drawn to the curve; show that the line joining their feet is
47 4
always normal to the conic d'x^ + b'y' = — ^ .
107. Normals are drawn from a point {x, y) to the
parabola y^ — i m x = 0 ; if A is the area of the triangle formed
b y their feet, s h o w that
A" = i m { x - 2mf - 27OTy.

108. Normals to the parabola y'- imx = 0, include a

constant angle =tan~'«; show that the locus of their
intersection is
{f {y' 4 3?m" - mx) + 1 (2m" - x' + mx)Y
= m { \ + <")" {4 {x- 2 m f - 27my^}.

109. To dravj a normal to an equilateral hyperbola fro

a point on the curve.
T h e curve referred to the asymptotes being written
2 x y - a" = 0, the hyperbola which passes through the feet of
the normals from {x', y ) is of - y' — x x + y'y = 0. W e have,
therefore, to determine x
ix'x* - 4a;'"a;' 4 a^a; - a'^x' = 0,

which gives, after dividing by a; - x, *' = ~ ^' •

I
58 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

110. The anharmonic ratio of the pencil, which joins any

.-c" y'
point on the conic -5 4 t? — 1 = 0 to the feet of the normals
•^ a' V
drawn to the curve from {x, y), is given by the equation
>S'^_ {aV + V f - d f
, T' d'Vdx'if

,111. A conic circumscribes a triangle so that the normals

at the vertices pass through a point; to find the locus of its
centre.
The condition that the normals should pass through a
point can be written cot^Sj 4 cot.3^ 4 cot^g = 0, where S^, \, \
are the angles which the sides of the triangle make with
the diameters bisecting them. But, a, B, 7 being the per-
pendiculars on the sides of the triangle,
Q _^sInjB-7sIn C'4a8ln(.B- G )
' 2asin5sin(7 '
and similar expressions for B ^ S^; thus, w e have for the
equation of the locus

^ (/3'- 7') + - ^ (7'- a') + - ^ (a'-/3") = 0.

aA^ ' smB sin (7^ '
This cubic is also the locus of foci of conies inscribed in
the triangle, whose axis major passes through the centroid.

112. To find the condition that the normals at six points

•oh a conic should be all touched by a conic.
Expressing that the normal whose equation is
ax by
— 1 - - ^ - c =0,
cos 9 sin 9 '
.touches a conic given by the general equation, w e obtain an
equation of the eighth degree in tanj^, between the roots
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 59

of which wefindthree relations by eliminating the constants

in the equation of the conic. Eliminating from these
relations two of the roots, we have the condition required
PQ-B8=0,
where P = 2 cosi (0, + ^2 + ^a - ^4 - ^ 5 " 4>e)i
g = 2 sln(^, 4 ^, 4 ^3 4 cf>^), B = -2 cos(s - 0,),
8 = sln2s 4 2 sin(^^ 4 ^J,
2s being equal to 2^.
If the normals at six points on the parabola y''-px = 0
are all touched by a conic, we have 2 ^ = 0.

113. To find the locus qf the poles of lines making a

a;" if
constant angle with the conic — 4 -ri — 1 = 0- 1 .
The equation of one of the lines may be written
£B(5cos0 + wasln^)42/(asin^- rnb coaj))
— {ab 4 mc' sin ^ cos 0) = 0,

where m is the tangent of the given angle; comparing this

with ^ 4 ^ - 1 = 0, we have
a 0
X 6 cos ^ 4 ma sin i> y_ _ a sin (
^ - mb cos ^ _
~d''~ ab + m d sin^ cos^ ' 6" ~ a& 4mc" sin^ cos^ '
hence, eliminating ^, the equation of the locus is
/cV/ a;" /\ 2toc>2/ (^ /

-A.(?-^)(5-?-;)=«.
a quartic having a node at the origin and two nodes at infinity.
60 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

114. To find the condition that three lines making an

sf if .
angle'i&vT^m with S ^ — ^ + j^-l, at points whose eccentric
angles are a, Bi 7 should meet in a point.
The points at which lines making a constant angle with 8
pass through {x', y') are determined as the points of inter-
section of 8 with the hyperbola

S' = m {c'xy + Vy'x -d'x'y) - d'W (^ 4 ^' - l V

Hence, we must have 8' + k8 = XPQ, where

P= - cosi (a + /8) 41'sini (a 4 /8) - cosi (« - ^),

^ = -cosi(74 S)4f sini(74 S)-cosi(7-S);

and equating the coefficients of a;", y', xy and the absolute

• terms in this identity, w e obtain
k = X cosi (a4 /8) cosi (7 4 8) = X sini {"• + ^) sini (7 + 8))
mc'db = X sini (a 4 /3 4 7 4 S),
a"i" — i = X cosj (a - /3) cosi (7 — S);
hence, a 4 / 3 4 7 4 8 = 7r,

and sin {B 4 7) 4 sin (7 4 a) 4 sin (a 4 /8) = -^.

115. If a triangle be inscribed in 8 = ^ + r; — l and

a b
circumscribed about a concentric conic, three lines at the
vertices of the triangle making a constant angle tan"'}«
with 8 will pass through a point.
If the conic touched by the sides is
o" — ' 2 , z' 2 , o 7' 1 ^b fh"— db'\
o =ax +by' + 2hxy-l, m = -^- I — - — j ,
 Examples' and Problems on Gonics. 61

and the locus of the points through which the lines pass
is the conic
da* {if 4 m x Y + b'b* {x - m y f - 2 K d b ' { y + m x ) {x - m y ) - m"c*=0.

116. Lines making a con.stant angle with a conic at the

vertices of an Inscribed triangle pass through a point on
the curve; show that the locus of the centroid of the triangle
is a concentric conic.

117. If three lines making a given angle with the

parabola / - 4 a a ; = 0 at the points y^, y^, y^ pass through

a point, y,i+y^-^y^ = —, where m Is the tangent of the

given angle. Now

2^1+3^2+2^3+ 2^4 = 0,
is the condition that four points should lie on a circle;
hence the circle passing through the three points passes
2a
through the fixed point on the curve y = .

118. The locus of the intersection of lines making a

constant angle with a conic at the extremities of a chord
which passes through a fixed point, is a curve of the third
degree (Salmon's Gonics, Art. 370, Ex.) If the fixed point
is on the diameter which cuts the curve at the given angle,
the locus reduces to a conic, as the diameter in this case
is part of the locus. T h e locus also reduces to a conic if
the fixed point be at infinity.

119. From the point of intersection of two lines making

a constant angle with the conic — 4 f; - 1 = 0, at the ex-

° a 0
tremlties of a chord which passes through a fixed point
62 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

{x, y), the two other lines are drawn which make the same
angle with the curve; show that the chord joining the feet
of the latter pair of lines touches the parabola whose tanr
gentlal equation is
d V (a'X" 4 H'p.') 4 m f {b'x'p,v 4 dy'vX - db'Xp) = 0.

120. A conic circumscribes a fixed triangle, so that lines

making a given angle 3, with the curve at the vertices pass
through a point; the locus of its centre, referred to the
triangle, is

i i i ^ ^^'--^'^ +sin5^-^^- «^) +sif^(«'- ^^) + ^ cot^a/37 = 0,

a cubic passing through the vertices and middle points of
sides.

121. If two lines be drawn through the point y' on the

parabola y^-iax = 0 to meet the curve again at the angle,
tan"" jn, the equation of the line joining their |eet is
4maa; - (2a - my') y + 2a {ima + y') = 0,
which, when y varies, passes through the fixed point
2« « /, „ a<
y= , 3! = --^ 142m'.
m ' m '
T h e locus' of this point for different values of m , is the
parabola ?/" + ia{x + 2a)'= 0.
122. Eight points on a conic lie on a bicircular quartlc;
show that the sum of their eccentric angles = 0 or 2miT.

123. Six points whose eccentric angles are 0, &c,, are

taken on the conic i
-. + ^2-1=0;
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 63

show that the middle points of the centres of the ten pairs
of circles which pass through them lie on the line
OM sins — by coas — ^c" (P sins 4 ^ coss) = 0,
where 2s = 2 ^ , P = 2 coS(^, C=2sln0.

124. Four points whose eccentric angles are (f>^, &c.,

being taken on the conic
x' y"
a-" + | - l = « '

the equation of the equilateral hyperbola passing through

them is
2ab coss (a;" - / ) ,4 2 (a" 4 V ) amsxy - b (a" 4 b') P x
- a { d + b') Qy 4 («" 4 b') {B - coss) = 0,
where 2s = 2 ^ , P = 2 cos(s-<^), ^ = 2sln(s-^),
i? = 2cosi(<^,4<^,-<^3-<^J.

a? «"
125. Four tangents to the conic — 4 ^ - 1 = 0, being
drawn at the points whose eccentric angles are ^„ &c., the
tangential equation of the parabola which touches them is
d' {B 4 cos s) X" + F { B - cos s) /i" 4 2ab sin sXp,
4 aPvX 4 b Qp.v = 0,
where P, Q and B have the same meaning as in the preceding
example.

126. Given five points, it is possible to find an equilatera

hyperbola such that the centre of the circle passing through
any three of the points is the pole, with regard to tbe
hyperbola, of the line bisecting at right angles the line
joining the re'maining two points.
64 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

The five points being taken on the conic

the asymptotes of the byperbola are parallel to the axes, an

the coordinates of its centre are given by the equations
ti 2

127. A system of conies has double contact with a fixed

circle and afixedconic ; tofindthe locus of the foci.
Let thefixedconic be
•S.=d'7f + b Y - 1 = 0 ,
and the circle
8 = {aX+ /3/t - 1)" - r" (X" 4 /*") = 0,
in tangential coordinates; then, if A is a root of the equation

a'-h''^ F-h''^ h' '

:z+-, 8=EF,
r
where E and F are the extremities of a diagonal of the
quadrilateral formed by the common tangents of 2 and 8, and

5'E'+ 2$ (l -~ 8)+F' = 0,

represents a conic having double contact with 2 and 8. The

latter equation m a y be written

(,»^4 Ff - 4^ JJ (aX 4 /3/i - 1)" 4 iSh' {X' + /**) = 0,

showing that the points

^E+F± — ^/:^{a\ + ^p.-l)=0,

r
 Examples and Problems on Conies, 65

are foci. Hence, taking the discriminant with respect

the locus of the foci is

EF-%{aX+pp,-1)^ = 0, or 2 - A" (X" 4 Z^") = 0,

r
a conic confocal with 2 and passing through the points E
and F.
This conic gives tbe locus of the foci, when the major
axis of the variable conic passes through the centre of 8.
W h e n the minor axis of the variable conic passes through
the centre of 8, the foci are the anti-points (Salmon's Higher
Plane Curves, Art. 139) of two points on a conic which are
colllnear with afixedpoint. To find the locus in this case,
let the conic be

^=^4^-1 = 0,
a
and the fixed point (a, /S); forming then the equation of
the chords of Intersection of 8 and {x-x'f+{y-y'Y = 0
this (Salmon's Gonics, Art. 370, Ex.), and, expressing that
equation is satisfied for the point (a, /3), we have the
locus required

{(a;-a)"4(y-m^ + g+^-1)^-^ + 2'"-'^^-^^)

x{(.-a)"+(,-/3)"l-a"5"g4f-iyg + i'-l) = 0,

a bicircular quartic having its foci in common with 8

it cuts at right angles at the points of contact of tangenti
from (a, /3), and having a node at the foot of the per
pendlcular from (a, /3) on its polar with regard to 8.
Hence the complete locus for the three systems of variable
conies consists of three confocal conies and three noda
bicircular quartics.
K
66 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

128. A system of conies passes through two fixed points

and has double contact with a fixed circle; show that the
locus of the foci consists of two confocal conies and two
bicircular quartics.

^ 129. A system of conies touches two fixed lines and

has double contact with a fixed circle; show that the locus
of the foci consists of two pairs of lines and two circles.

130. A system of conies passes through g. fixed point,

tpuches a fixed line, and has double contact with a fixed
clrcIe|;*/how that the locus of the foci consists of two conies
and two bicircular quartics.

131. A system of conies has double contact with a fixed

circle and touches two fixed conies having double contact
with the circle; show that the locus of the foci consists of
eight conies and eight bicircular quartics (see Salmon's
Gonics, Art. 387, E x . 1).

132. A system [of conies touches two fixed parallel lines

and has double contact with a fixed conic; show that the
envelope of the asymptotes consists of two conies, concentric,
similar and similarly situated with the fixed conic. '

133. A system of conies has double contact with two fixed

confocal conies ; tofindthe locus qf the foci.
Let 2 = a"X" 4 &'V - 1 = 0, 2' £ d ' X + b^ff - 1 = 0 ,
where d''-d' = b " - b ' = h',
be the equations of the fixed conies in tangential coordinates;
then the equation of the system which have their centres
on the axis major of 2 and 2' m a y be written
5"A' (cX 4 1)" 4 23 (&'"2 4 6"2') 4 A" (cX - 1)" = 0;
 Examples and R o b l e m s o n Gonics. 67

and the equations for determining the foci give

G{x'-y'')-2Gx + A - B = 0, y{Gx-G)=^0,

where C = ^ {F (.»" 4 1) - 2 (J" + b") 3],

G = ^^,{S'-1), A-B=^,{h'{3^+l)+2{b^ + b'-')3].

Hence, besides the axis of x^ the locus consists of the

tvvo circles
(12 , I'ax
-jjr-J2/-c" = 0.
The equation of the system which is concentric with S
and 2' m a y be written
A" COS.& (X" - p.") 4 2h' am9^\p. 4 2 4 2' = 0,
the equations for determining the foci giving in this case
a;'^ _2,'' _ c" - A" cos3 = 0, 2xy - h' sin5^ = 0 ;
hence the locus is the oval of Cassini
(a,^ + y j _ 2c"(a;"-y') + d - h * = 0 .
T h e locus of the intersection of rectangular tangents to 2
and 2' is the director circle of every conic of this system;
and, if h' = -{d' + F ) , all the conies of the system are
equilateral hyperbolas.

134. The differential equation in elliptic coordinates

dp, dv
V{/x" - d') {a" - pi')] ± V{(v" - d') {a'-' - V')} - '
represents a system of conies having double contact with the
confocal conies v = a, p, = a'; for the Integral of the equation
m a y be written in either of the forms
Afiv + B > ^ { { p , ' - d ' ) { f - a ' ) } + G = 0 ,
' ^ > v 4 B ' V{(«'" - f^') {a" - f ) \ 4 C" = 0,
68 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

where A, B, &c, are constants, and p,v = ex,

V{(/." - d) (v" - <f)\ = ab ^{l - ^, - f-') ,

V{(a'' - /.") («'" - v")} = dU ^{l - J - p^ .

This system of conies have their centres on the axis

major of the given conies. T h e differential equation of the
system having their centres on the axis minor is
p,dp, vdv
V{(^"-c")(/L."-a") (a'^-/."]} - ^[{c'-v'){d'-v'){d--v')\ =^-

135. The differential equation of the system which is

concentric with the given conies is
djM dv \
V({/*" - d ) {p."- a") {a"- p:']} ± V{(c^-v")(a"-/)(a^-v^)} =^-
If two of this system cut at right angles, their intersection
lies on the bicircular quartic
{x' + y Y - («" 4 a") x' - (&" 4 &'") ?/" 4 a"a'" 4 d'b" = 0.

136. Two conies of the same system are described through

a point to have double contact with two confocal conies; show
that they m a k e equal angles with the conies confocal with the
given ones which pass through the point.

137. To find the differential equation in elliptic coordinates

of the evolutes of a system of confocal conies.
T h e evolute of p, = a, is
{ a Y v y 4 {b' {p,' - c") (c" - v')]i - c" = 0.
N o w this is the relation which exists between p., v and «>
w h e n it is possible to determine X, so that the expression
x { x - d) 4 X (a; - /^") [x - f ) {x - a")
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 69

may be a perfect cube. Hence, if

(a; - p.") {x - v") {x - d') = ^ { x ) ,
w e have X ^ {x) = {px + q f — x{x — c').
Differentiating this Identity, and substituting p.", v" and a" for x
in succession, w e obtain
Xt^(At") Z{u:'dp+dq)_
{p^{p:'-d)]i-^ f(/^") '
X d (v") 3 {v'dp + dq) _
{/(c"-v")}l "^ </.'(v")
^{ddp + d q ) _ ^ ,

therefore, since

2 ^' - 2 ^ =0
^<^'(/.")-^,^'(/.") -"'
fidp. vdv _
{^"(^"-c-0}?^{v"(c"-v")}t
It follows from this equation that only one real curve of
the system passes through a point.

138. If t, p, n he the tangents drawn from the centre of

an equilateral hyperbola to the circumscribing, polar, and
nine-point circles of a triangle whose area is A , and t',p', n
he the corresponding values for the reciprocal triangle, show
that
f t" ; A „ ,2 A' „
A = ^' "=2-^^' " =^aP-

139. To find the condition that a conic 8^ should circum-

scribe a triangle whose reciprocal with regard to 8, is self-
conjugate ioith regard to 8^.
70 Examples and Problems on Conies'.

We mast have"0 = O, between 8^ and the reciprocal of 8^

with regard to 8^; w e find thus @^^^@^^ = A®,^,, where A is
the discriminant of 8^ and Q^^J'Jk.c. are the coefficients of the
several powers of I, m , n in the discriminant of l8^+mS^-\- nS^.
' If >?, = a;" 4 y' - 2a.,x - 2^,y 4 K \
8^ = x'+y'-2a^x-2^^ + k;,

8 ^ - + -L-l
w e have
k X ' - 2 (a'-'a^a, 4 6"/3,/SJ 4 a^ 4 J* = 0.
Hence, when 8^ and /S, arefixed,8^ cuts orthogonally the
circle
K (*' + yl - 'ida^x - 2V'^^y 4 a' 4 6* = 0;

140. Show that the Intersection of the perpendiculars of

a triangle formed by three tangents to an equilateral
hyperbola and the centre of the circle passing through the
points of contact of the tangents are conjugate with respect
to the curve.

141. If a conic ;S', touch the sides of a triangle whose

reciprocal with regard to 8^ is self-conjugate with regard
to^j, show that @^J^sn = ^, where <I> Is the invariant which
corresponds in tangential coordinates to 0,23.

142. If a conic 8^ circumscribe a triangle whose reciprocal

with regard to 8^ is inscribed in 8,^, show that
C©, 0 - A © )" = 4A"f0 © - * )
V 133 233 " issy ^'-' v^aii^322 ^/'
143. If a conic U be such that an Inscribed and a self-
conjugate triangle are reciprocal with regard to a conic V,
show that ©" = 2 A©'.
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 71

If U~{x-df + {y-Bf-r\
2 2
- a" ^ 6" '
w e have (a" 4 /S" - r")" - 2 (a"a" 4 6"/3") 4 a* 4 &* = 0.

144. If a conic U he such that a circumscribed and a self-

conjugate triangle are receiprocal with regard to a conic F,
show that ©'" = 2A'©.

145. If a conic U circumscribe two triangles which are

reciprocal with regard to a conic F, w e have
© » _ 4 A © 0 ' 4 8A'A" = O,

which is also the condition that U should circumscribe

quadrilaterals circumscribed about F. If ?7 be a circle
and F an equilateral hyperbola, the areas of the triangles
are equal.

146. If two triangles, reciprocal with regard to a conic U,

be such that ^heir centroids are conjugate with respect to
the curve, show that a conic circumscribing either triangle,
so that the tangent at each vertex shall be parallel to the
opposite side, will pass through the centre of U.

147. Let lines drawn from the centre of a conic to the

vertices of a triangle whose area is A meet the sides of
the triangle in L , M , N ; if the area of the triangle L , M , N
is equal to A , and A , A' be corresponding values for the
reciprocal triangle, show that

A ~ A"
 72' Examples and Problems on Gonics.

148. A system of conies passes through the four points

determined by the equations In rectangular coordinates
ax" 4 by'' + 2gx + 2fy s U = 0,
x' + y'-]f= F = 0 ;
show that the locus of the vertices consists of the two cubics
{a - b) x f + g { f - a;") - 2/a;^ - k' {ax + g ) ^ 0 ,
{a - b) x'y + f {f - x^) 4 2gxy + W {by + f ) = 0.
These two cubics pass through the points of intersection
of U and F and the vertices of the c o m m o n self-conjugate
triangle of V and F, cutting each other at right angles at
these seven points.
i
149. Let the tangent to an hyperbola at a point P meet
the asymptotes m A , B ; if perpendiculars to the asymptotes
at A , B meet the normal at P in A , B', show that the middle
point of A', B ' is the centre of curvature at P.

150. If six osculating circles of the conic -^ 4 ^n ^ 1 = 0

a b
be described to cut orthogonally the circle
a;" 4 ?/" 4 2gra; 4 2/z^ 4 c = 0,
show that their centres lie on the conic
{2gx 4 2fy 4 c)" - (a" 4 5") {2gx + 2fy + c)
- 3 (aV 4 b y ) + a* + b*- d'b' = 0.

151. If the osculating circle of a conic cut the director

circle at an angle 3-, show that cos,9 = -^, where » is the

perpendicular from the centre on the tangent at the point

of contact, and k is the radius of the director circle.
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 73

152. A , B , G are three points forming a triangle Inscribed

in a conic, so that the tangent at each vertex is parallel to
the opposite side; P is any point on the curve. If P A ,
P B , P G meet the opposite sides of the triangle in L, M , N ,
show that the area of the, triangle L M N is double that of
the triangle A B O .

153. Two conies C and F are Inscribed in the same

quadrilateral, the focus of U being the centre of F; show
that the points of contact of F with the sides of the quadri-
lateral lie on a circle.

154. If the two conies described through a point P to

touch four fixed lines cut orthogonally, show that P lies
on the circular cubic, which is the locus of the foci of conies
touching the lines.

155. If F he the focus of a parabola passing through

three points A , B , G, show that a circle, touching the lines
which bisect FA., F B , E G at right angles, passes through
the centre of the circle circumscribing the triangle A B C .

156. If two circles touch the sides of triangles self-

conjugate with regard to a conic 8, show that their centres
of similitude are conjugate with respect to ;S^.

157. Two conies are described through P to touch the

lines A , B , G, B , and two to tpuch A , B , G, E . If the
tangents to the conies at P have a constant anharmonic ratio,
the locus of P is a conic touching D and E .

158. To find the locus of the intersection of rectangular

tangents to the conies whose equations to rectangular axes are
ax' 4 by' 4 2gx + 2fy + o = S=:0,
bx' 4 ay' - l = 8' = 0.
L
74 Examples and Problems on Gonics,

If 5- be the angle which a tangent makes with the axis

we have, from the equations of the pairs of tangents which
pass through .{x, y),
8 {a cos",^ 4 b sln",9) = {(ax 4.9') cos5 4 {by +f) s\n3]',
8' {a cos"5 4 b sin".J) = {bx sIn,S — ay coaS-f;
1 1 i- • • -c ^ 2 , n fiay + ax + q
whence, by division, it -777 = 11, tan.^=^r^^—= -„,
8 pbx -^ by — f
Substituting this value of 3 in the equation of the second
pair of tangents, we obtain
8'{a{pbx-by-ff+b{p,ay + ax+g)] = {ab{x'+y') + bgx + afy\';
or, restoring the value of p,,
ab8{l 4 8') 4 8' {db8+ a f + bg' - abc)
4 2a5 ^J{88') {{a -b)xy + gy -fx] = {ab {x'+ f ) + bgx + afy]\
• Now {ab{x' + y') + bgx + afy]''
= {ab8+ a f 4 V - obc) (1 4 8') - ab {{a -b)xy + gy -fx]'
identically; therefore we have
{{a -b)xy + gy -fx]' + 2 ^{88') {{a -b)xy + gy -fx} + 88'
_ af+bg'-ahc
~ d) '

or \ ^ a - b ) x y + g y - f x . _ ^ { f ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ = 88',
which represents a pair of bicircular quartics, each having
quartic contact with the two given conies.

aj ?/
159. If the tangents to the conic -5 4 5^ — 1 = 0 from
a b
{x, y) form a harmonic pencil with perpendiculars to the
a;" if
tangents to the conic -75 + tts - 1 = 0 from the same point,
show that the locus of (x, y) is the bicircular quartic
(x" 4 f f - [d 4 a") x' - [F 4 b") y' + a'd' + b'b" = 0,
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 75

160. If the tangents from a point P to the ellipse

^%|^-i = o
a b
contain an angle a, show that the tangents from P to the
hyperbola
x" _ / ^ id'b'+{a'-b'fam'ai
d' } f ~ {d-F)am'a.
contain an angle j8, where

cos/3 = (-;—r-i) cosa,

Kd'+wy
161. A conic passes through four fixed points; prove
that the locus of the pole of a given triangle with respect
to the conic (Salmon's Gonics, Art. 375) is an unicursal
quartic, of which the vertices of the given triangle are nodes.

162. A conic touches four fixed lines; prove that the

locus of the pole of a given triangle with respect to the
conic Is a conic circumscribing the given triangle.

163. A triangle is Inscribed In a given conic so that

the polar of afixedpoint with respect to the triangle is a
fixed line; show that the triangle is circumscribed about
afixedconic.

164. If 2 be the sum of the squares of the lengths of

the six chords of intersection of the conic — 4 fr -

a 0
the circle (x - a)" -{{y- /3)" - r" = 0, show that

2 = l6|."-(a"-&")"g + f)

For the parabola y'-px = 0, 2 = 4 (S" - p'), where S i

the intercept of the circle on the axis.
76 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

165. A conic passes through four fixed points; show that

the I'ight line which passes through the middle points of the
diagonals of the quadrilateral formed by drawing tangents
at these points touches a conic. S h o w also that the right
line, which passes through the intersections of the perpen-
diculars of the four triangles formed by the same tangents,
passes through a fixed point.

166. fxiven four concyclic points on a conic, to show that

perpendiculars at these points to the focal radii vectores are
all touched by the same circle.
Eliminating r between the polar equation of the conic

r = -— -Q-, and the circle r'- 2r (a coaS + /3 sin3) + k' = 0,

w e have
r-2l{l + ecosB] (a cos54/3sin5) 4 k' { l + e c o a B f = 0,
and expressing that the fine

X cos3 4 y sin.9 = r = ^r
•^ l4ecos.J
touches the circle {x - a')" + { y - /S')" - r" = 0, w e have
{a cosS- 4 B' sin5-- /) (1 4 e cos5] - 1 = 0 ;
and these two conditions coincide, if
ld = 2 h - e l f , ^' = 2B, lr'=k\
/
167. S h o w that the polar circle of the triangle formed
by three tangents to an equilateral hyperbola touches the
nine-point circle of the triangle formed by the points of con-
tact of the tangents at the centre of the curve.

168. A conic passes through two fixed points and touches

two fixed lines; show that the envelope of the director circle*
Is one or other of two nodal bicircular quartics, the node
c o m m o n to each being the intersection of thefixed lines.
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 77'

169. Two circles are described through two points A, B

on a conic to touch the curve elsewhere; show that the angle
between the circles is equal to double the angle which their
points of contact subtend at A or B ,

170. A parabola passes through three fixed points; show

that the locus of the intersection of the perpendicularsi of the
triangle formed by drawing tangents at these points is a
curve of the'fourth class.

171. A conic circumscribes a triangle so that two of the

vertices are at the extremities of conjugate diameters; show
that the locus of its centre is a conic with regard to which
the given triangle is self-conjugate.

172. A conic passes through three fixed points A, B, G;

if the diameter of the conic parallel to A B he given in
length, show that the locus of its centre Is a conic, whose
asymptotes are parallel to A G , B G , and with regard to
which G is the pole of A B ,

173. If from any point of the quartic curve

2(.^+/)(l-5+|>(«^-&'^)g-^)=0,
tangents be drawn to the hyperbola

d'b' 1=0
show that the sum of the square^ of their lengths is equal
to a' - b',

174. Given a vertex and two points on a conic, show

that the locus of its centre is a cubic, of which the given
vertex is a node.
78 Examples and Problems on Gonics,

175. If a chord of aA' equilateral hyperbola subttend a

right angle at a fixed point, show that the locus of the
middle point of the chord is a curve of the third order.

176. A point P moves along a right line; show that the

locus of the foot of the perpendicular from P on its polar
with regard to a conic is a circular cubic passing through
the foci of the conic.

177. Show that the line

(a" - b') {Ip - m y ) = d' + b' + 2ab cot ^ ^/ {a'P 4 b W - I)
passes through the two points on the conic

.,4^-1=0,
a b '
at which the chord Ix + m y = 1 subtends the angle (p.

178. A circle passes through the centre of the conic

show that the product of the perpendiculars from the centre

of 8 on a pair of chords of intersection of 8 and the circle
,^ d'b'
IS equal to ^ - - j , ,

179. A circle touches two fixed tangents to a conic;

show that a pair of its chords of intersection with the conic
are parallel to given lines.

180. A circle passes through two fixed points on a conic;

show that the extremities of one of the diagonals of the
quadrilateral formed by the c o m m o n tangents of the circle
and the conic lie on a given confocal conic.
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 79

181. A circle 2 cuts the circle 8 = x'+y'-k' = 0 ortho

gonally, and touches the conic
F = aa?4 by' + 2hxy + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0;
show that the equation of the reciprocal polar of the locus
of the centre of 2 is the trinodal quartic
{W V - c8f 4 ik' {gx +fy + cf8 = 0,

182. Three fixed points A, B, G are taken on an hyper-

bola so that their centroid lies on the curve; if lines be drawn
bisecting P A , PB, P G at right angles, where P is a variable
point on the hyperbola, the centroid of the triangle so formed
will He on a line which passes through the centre of the circle
circumscribing the triangle A , B, G,

183. The centre of the circle passing through a point

and the point of contact of tangents from P to the conic
2 2

lies on the director circle of >S'; show that the locu

is the bicircular quartic
(x"4/)"-2c"(x"-y') + d-i{a'4S") (x"4y') = 0,
where c" = a" — b'.

184. Let A, B, G be three points on a conic U, and

2 a circle having double contact with U at points on a
parallel to its minor axis. Let t, t' he the lengths of the direct
and transverse common tangents of 2 and the circle cir-
cumscribing the triangle A, B, G, and let p^, p^, p ^ p^ be
the perpendiculars from the centres of the four circles which
touch A B , B G , G A on the chord of contact of 2 and U,
Show that i'i'^ — dPx'P^V^'Pii where e is the eccentricity of TJ,
80 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

185. 8; H are the given foci of a conic U, and 8', H.' pf

a conic F; if TJ and F are similar, show that their common
tangents envelope a conic which touches the lines 88', 8H',
8'H, EH',
186. The pairs of tangents from a point P to two con-
centric equilateral hyperbolas contain equal angles; show
that the locus of P is an equilateral hyperbola concentric
with the given ones.

187. The perpendicular to a chord of a conic at its middle

point passes through a fixed point 0 on one of the axes of
the curve; show that the chord touches a parabola, of which
0 is the focus.

188. From any point of the circle x"4«/" = a"4S"4 A"

pairs of tangents are drawn to the confocal conies
x' y" ^ r. a;" y' ^ ^
(.2- — 1 = 0 • \ - — 1 — 0•
' d'^b' ' d'+h'^b'+h' ^^'
show that the difference of the squares of the reciprocals of
their lengths is the'same for each pair.
189. A triangle is circumscribed about a conic so that
the lines, which are drawn from each vertex to the point
of contact of the opposite side with the circle escribed to
that side, intersect on the curve; show that the circle
inscribed in the triangle formed by the middle points of the
sides passes through the centre pf the conic.

a;" y'
190. Through the points on the conic -5 4 ^2 — 1 = 0,
whose eccentric angles are a, ^, — a, —/3, a circle is descri
if 3 be the angle subtended by a, /3 at the centre of the circle,

show that tani5 = T tahi (a-/3).

 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 81
• •- • ----- • • % • •— —-—— • •
191. If from points on the line X x + p,y + v = 0, normals
x" y'
be drawn to the conic -547-2—1 = 0, show that the poles
of the chords joining their extremities fprni a quadrilateral
inscribed in the cubic

"(>-i:)-f (-a ^7^ (?-!')-•

192. If the foot of the perpendicular from a point P on
x" y'
its polar with regard to the conic - 5 4 ^^ — 1 = 0 move along
the right line X x + p,y + v = 0, show that the locus of P
Is the cubic
Xx
^ {b* 4 (a" - 6") f] + ^ {«' - {d - b') x"} 4 vdb' (^! + |!)
b

193. T w o tangents to a conic, whose foci are given, pass

through fixed points on the axis minor, show that the locus
of their intersection is a circle passing through the foci.
If the tangents. Instead of passing through fixed points,
are parallel to fixed lines, the locus is an equilateral hyper-
bola passing through the foci.

194. Given two similar parabolas, show that a right

line, which cuts off from them areas which are in a constant
ratio to one another, touches a parabola similar to the given
ones.

195. A variable tangent to a conic whose point of con-

tact is P meets a concentric, similar, and similarly situated
conic in A , B ; show that the lines joining A , B to the
points where the normal at P meets the axes of the conic
are Inclined to A B at constant angles.
M
82 Examples and. Problems on Cynics,

196. Show that tangents to the parabolas

8 = y' + ax + c = 0, 8' = x' + b y + d = 0,
intersect at right angles on
{2abxy - a F x - d b y - cb' - da'f ^ id'b'88' = 0,
a nodal circular cubic having triple contact with 8 and 8',

197. Show that the polar equation of the evolute of a

parabola," referred to the focus, v a ^ he written

{coa\9)i - (sini^)S.
(?)
P^
If the evolute cut a confocal parabola at, an angle ^,
show that cof ^ = cot \9.

198. A triangle is inscribed in the parabola

TJ'^y'—px = 0,
and circumscribed about the parabola
(ax 4 ^ y ) ' — iplS'x + jay — p ^ y = 0,
show that the normals to Z7 at the vertices of the triangle
pass through a point, and show that the locus of this point
is arightline.

199. Tangents to a parabola intersect on a parabola

having the same focus and axis; show that the product or
ratio of the tangents of the halves of the angles which they
m a k e with the axis is constant.

200. Three circles osculate the parabola y'—px = 0 at

the points^j, y^, y^; show that the equation of the circle
which cuts them orthogonally is

(i/i 2^2+2/22/8+ysyt) {*' + /) - f {yi+y,) {y,+y,) {y,+y,) y

- - {y'y'+y.'ys + yly'l+y^y^y^ (2/1+y^ ^y^]^

+\ {y^y:+y"y:+y"y:+y^y.y. (2/,+y.+2/3)! + ^%^'=o-

 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 83

If four osculating circles be cut orthogonally by the same

circle, show that 2 - = 0.
y

201. Show that there are a real pair of lines passing

through the points of intersection of the point circle
{x-x'f+{y-y'f = 0,
x" «"
and the conic -^ 4- 75 - 1 = 0,
a'' ¥ '
whose equations are

i =^4 V(c"- v")! - ^ {ap, + b ^J{p,'-c')}=0,

M^':^-^{d-f)l-\{ap,-b^{p.'-c')]=0,

where p,, v. are the elliptic coordinates of {x', y'). Show

also that

{x-x'Y+{jj-y')-'={a'-v')^,+t-lYLM.

If ^ cosi (a + iS) +1 sini (a4 /S) -cosi(a- /S) =0

be the equation of a chord of the conic, show that the elli

coordinates of the antipoints (Salmon's Curves, Art. 139)
of its extremities are given by
/t = ccos{0±i(a-;S)}, v = c coa\{a. + ^),

where cos^ = -,
c

202. Givenfivelines
a = aj cosa 4 y sin a - p == 0, &c
84 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

touching the parallel curve of a conic, the locus of the

centre of the conic is
d, B', 7^ S", e"
a, B, 7- S, s
cos 2a, cos 2)3, cos 27, cos 2 8, cos2e = 0,
sin 2a, sin 2/3, sin 27, sin 28, sin2e
1, 1, 1, 1,
which represents a curve of the second order, as terms of
the third order vanish identically.

203. A conic whose foci are F, F' is inscribed in a

triangle; if F lie on the polar circle of the triangle, show
that an equilateral hyperbola can be described having F '
for centre and passing through the feet of the perpendiculars
from F' on the sides.
If F lie on the inscribed circle, show that a parabola
can be described having F ' for focus and passing ihrough the
feet of the perpendiculars from F' on the sides.

204. If P be the principal parameter of the parabola

osculating a curve at the point (x, y), show that
542"
{^*-&prq^ + r'+p'r'Y

% „-^y
where ^ = 5 ^ ' 2 = dx' &c.

205. If x', y' be the coordinates of the centre of the

equilateral hyperbola osculating a curve at the point (x, y),
show that
^r (1 4/)
x' = x 4(92* - Qprq' + r' +p''r')'
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 85

206. If p be the radius of curvature of the locus of the

centre of the conic osculating a curve at the point (x, y),
show that
_ (9g* - e^rg" + r' + p V ) i {9q't - ibqrs + 40/)
''" q{Sqs-ory

207. A triangle is circumscribed about the conic

and inscribed In the circle (x - a)" 4 (»/ — /3)" — J"^ = 0; i

half the sum of the angles subtended by the foci of the conic
at the vertices of the triangle, show that
a"4/3" — r " — c " = 2arcoss, c/3 = arsins.

208. A circle circumscribing a triangle circumscribed

about a conic meets the conic in A , B , G ; show that the
algebraic sum of the diameters parallel to A B , B G , G A is
equal to zero.

x" y'
209. A triangle is mscribed in the conic -j 4 |j - 1 = 0,
CO 0
the semi-diameters parallel to the sides of which are &„ b^, b^;
if the circumscribing circle of the triangle cut the conic at an
angle ^, show that
ab cot6-4-Kb:A{-'-b:)}[b.^-b') 'b^b,'^{d'-b:){b:-b')
«6cot0-± ^j^2_j^2^^j^2_j^2^ ± {b;'-t>,'){b:-b:)

- {b:-K)ip:-b:) '
the variation of signs corresponding to the four values of <^.

210. A triangle'is inscribed in a parabola, the sides of

which m a k e angles a, /3, 7 with the axis of the curve; if the
86 Examples and Problems on Gonics.

circumscribing circle of the triangle cut the parabola at an

angle ^, show that
sln"a 4 sin";5 4 sin"7 — sin" (a 4 /3 4 7)
*^° "^ ~ 2 sin {B 4 7) sin (7 4 a) sin {a. + B ) '
the three other values of ^ being obtained b y changing the
signs of a, /3, 7.

211. If s be the sum of the angles at which the circle

x' if
x^ + y' — 2(xx-2^y + k ' = 0 cuts the conic -5 4 fj - 1 = 0,

show that
Sa'b'aB
*^° * ~ c" (a" 4 b' 4 k'f - 4 (aV - b*B')'
If the same circle meet the parabola y'-imx = 0, show that
im^
tans =
k' 4 2»-rta - dnf '

, 212. S h o w that the product of the lengths of the c o m m o n

tangents of the circle (x — a)" 4 (y - /3)" — *•" = 0 and the conic
a;" y'
- j 4 7 a — 1 = 0 is equal to

J K - K f i K - K r i K - K )3
cV* - 2c'V {a'B' - b'a') 4 {dB^''8
+.b'a'f
' '
where h', h^, h ' are the roots of the equation
a" 0' r'
^ ~ W + W^^' ^ h ' ~ ^ ^ ^ '

213,, Show that the products of the lengths of the common

tangents of the circle (x — a)" + { y ~ /3)" — »•" = 0 and the
parabola y" — p x = 0 Is equal to
lf{K-k^'{K-k:i'{\-k^',
 Examples and Problems on Gonics. 87

where A„ \, \ are the roots of the equation

{k + 1 ) {ini'k' 4 4?na^ 4 r') - ^'k = 0.

214. If X be determined by the equation

d'V b'd' r'
+ a' = 0.
/S'-Xa* ^'-X{d'-b') X
show that
( x ' 4 / - 2ax4 a"4 jS"- r ^ - i^'y' + 4X \ffx' + a'y' -a'b') =. 0
breaks up Into two circles.

215. P, P' are the points of contact of a common tangent

of two conies; if (7 be the centre of one of the conies and A
the area of the triangle CPP', show that, taking the four

common tangents, 2 -^=0.

88 Examples and Problems on Cubics.

II.—Examples and Problems on Cubics.

• 216. If a triangle be inscribed in a cubic so that the sides

meet the curve again in three 'points on a line, then there are
four pairs of conies such that each pair will touch all the
tangents drawn to the curve from the vertices of the
triangle.
T h e cubic referred to such a triangle can be written
ax {y' 4 d') + by {z' + x') + cz {a? 4 y') 4 2dxyz = 0,
and the tangents drawn to the curve from xy are then
{c (x" 4y') 4 2dxy]'' - ixy {ax + by) {ay + bx) = 0,
or (x" 4 y' 4 2t^xy) (x" 4 y' 4 2t^xy) = 0,
where t„ t^ are the roots of the equation
c'f - 2 { c d - ab) t + d ' - d - ^ b' = 0,
N o w three pairs of lines, whose equations are
y' + z'.+2fyz = 0, z'+ x'+ 2gzx = 0, x'+ y'+2hxy = 0j
are all touched by the conic whose tangential equation is
X" 4 /t" 4 v' - 2fpv - 2gvX - 2hXp, = 0;
hence w e see that the twelve tangents to the cubic are all
touched by the pair of conies

where
r7-_T,2, 2, 2 „fad-bo\ (bd-ca\ ^(cd-ab\^
U=X+p, + v-2 [~^^j M»'-2 (^—^^J v \ - 2 [ - - ^ j Xp,,
B ' = a'b' 4 b'd + c'd - 2abcd,
four such pairs being obtained by the variations of sign.
 Examples and Problems on Cubics. 89

If a 4 6 4 c 4 (^ = 0, the curve has a double point at

x = y = z, and the tangents drawn to the curve from the
vertices of the triangle are all touched by the conic

(X4/.4v)"44(a64&c4ca)(^4^4^) = 0.

217. If a triangle be inscribed in a cubic so that the

tangents at the vertices pass through the same point on the
curve, then four pairs of conies can be found such that each J
pair will touch all the tangents drawn to the curve from the]
vertices of the triangle.
The curve, referred to such a triangle, can be written
ax iy' - z') 4 by (s" - x') + cz {x' - y') = 0, •
and the tangents drawn to the curve from xy are then
x' + f + M ^ x y ^ O , x' + y' + 2t^xy = 0,
where t^, t^ are the roots of the equation jV'/? lil d^H I
dt' + 2abt + d + d ' - d = 0;
thus w e see that the twelve tangents are all touched by the
pair of conies
Z74F=0, Z7-F=0,
where
„ „ , „ 2bc 2ea ^ 2a5,
U^X'-\-p,^ + v' + ^-p.v + - ^ v X + - ^ X p , = 0,
a 0 c
r= 2^{{d - b") (a" - c")} 5^ ± 2V{(5" - a") (6" - d)] ^

±2V{(c"-a")(c"-&")}^,

'four such pairs being obtained by the variations of sign.

218. If 8 and Pare the invariants of the cubic

Z7= ax (?/" 4 z') 4 by {z' + x") 4 cz (x" 4 f ) 4 2dxyz = 0;
N
 90 Examples and Problems on Cubics,

show that 8=ZB-A', T=iA{2A'-9B),

T + 64/9" = 432P" (4P- A'),
where ^ = a" 4 b' + c" -d', B = a'b' + b'd + c'd - 2abed,
Also show that when B vanishes the curve breaks up into
a line and a conic, and that when A ' = i B the curve has a
node at one of the points x' = y' = z',

219. If X, y,zhea point on the cubic TJ, the pointsx, y,

-, -, - , are corresponding points on the curve. For

X y z
corresponding points on the Hessian of the cubic
/ B (Sex" 4 cay"" + abz^) - {bex + cay + abzf = 0
[/("' V 7 are easily seen to be connected by the relations

xx' = yy' = zz'=-=^ {bcx + cay + abz) (5cx' 4 cay' + abz'),

and the Hessian of this cubic is the cubic TJ.

220. The circle passing through the feet of the perpen-

diculars from a point P on the sides qf a given triangle cut9
orthogonally afixedcircle; tofindthe locus of P.
The equation of the circle passing through the feet of the
perpendiculars from a, /8, 7 on the sides of the triangle of
reference is given in Salmon's Gonics, Art. 132, Ex. 7.
Expressing that this circle cuts orthogonally the circle 8
which we write
8 = {la. 4 »w/3 4 ni) (a sin J. 4 /3 s m P 4 7 sin C )
4 k (a" sin A cos A + yS" sin P cos P 4 7" sin G cos G) =
we obtain the equation of the locus:
C7h {m a m C + n sinP) a (/3"4 7") + { n a m A + l sin C) /3 (7*4 a"
+ {I a m B + m am A ) 7 (a" 4 /S")
4 2(Zsin^4»isinP4nsin0'4 A;sin.4 a m B a m G ) a ^ j = 0,
 Examples and Problems on Cubics. 91

which represents a cubic circumscribing the triangle and

meeting the sides again in three colllnear points. F r o m what

w e have seen the points a, /S, 7 ; -, -^, - are corresponding

points on the locus, and hence by writing the equation of TJ

in the form
{la 4 m B 4 n'f) {8y sin .4 4 7a sin P 4 a ^ sin G )
+ (^/S7 4 m<ya + na^) (a sin^ 4 /8 sinP 4 7 sin G )
+ 2k sin A sinP sin G a^y = 0,
it appears that corresponding points are conjugate with respect
to the circle
{la 4 m B 4 ny) (a sin 4 4 y3 sin P 4 7 sin (7)
4 \k (a" sin J. cos J. 4 /3" sinP c o s P 4 7" sin G cos G ) = 0.
It can be seen otherwise that corresponding points on a
cubic are conjugate with respect to a fixed circle; for corre-
sponding points on the Hessian of a given cubic are conjugate
with respect to all the polar conies, and one of the polar
conies is, in general, a circle.

221. To reduce the equation of a cubic to the form

Z7h la (/3" 4 7") 4 m/3 (7" 4 a") + ny (a" 4 yS") 4 2pa^y = 0.
Let F be the cubic which has TJ for its Hessian (see
E x . 219), then the polar conic with respect to F of the point
corresponding to a/3 is a" — /S" = 0, which pair of lines, being
at right angles to one another, form a harmonic pencil with
the lines drawn from a/3 to the circular points at infinity.
Expressing,, then, that the line joining two fixed points
^1) y^ ^15 ^^2' 2^25 ^2 ^^ ^^^ harmonically by the polar conic of a
point (x, y, z) with respect to V{'=x^ + y^+ z'+ Q m xyz), w e
get the equation of a line
{x,x, 4 m {y,z^ 4 s j j } x + {y,y, + m (a,x, 4 x.z^)} y
+ {z^z-4 m {xj^ + y,x,)} 2 = 0,
92 Examples and Problems on Cubics.

which meets TJ in' the three points corresponding to the

vertices of the triangle aBy- Since there are three systems
of corresponding points, it follows that a cubic can be reduced
to the required form in three ways. W h e n
IcoaA+mcoaB + n coaG—p = 0,
the cubiQ is circular knd has its double focus on itself, and
then the curve can be reduced to this form in an Infinite
number of ways.

222. To find the locus of the middle point of corresponding

points on a cubic. \
F r o m E x . 220 w e see that a pair of corresponding points
are foci of a conic inscribed in the triangle a, yS, 7. N o w ,
if a, yS, 7 be the coordinates of the centre of this conic, and a
half the length of its major axis, w e can deduce, by means of
the expression for the perpendicular from the centre on a
tangent in terms of the angles it makes with the axis, the
relation
sin^ V(a' - a") 4 sinP V(a' -/3") 4 sin (7 V(a' - 7') = 0;
hut a'= 8 = the square of the tangent drawn from a, /3, 7 to
the circle 8 ; hence w e have for the equation ;pf the locus
sin^ V(/5 - a") 4 a m B ^ { 8 - /3") 4 sin G^/.{8- 7") = 0,
which, being satisfied by the line at infinity, represents a
curve of the third order.
W e can obtain the equation.of the locus otherwise. For,
as can be easily seen, the line joining two poles of a line with
respect to a cubic F meets the Hessian in a pair of corre-
sponding points, and the two poles are harmonically conjugate
with these points. Hence w e have to find the locus of the
poles of a line one of whose poles is at infinity. , Writing F
in the form ax' 4 ^y" 4 yz^ + 8v^ = 0, where x + y + z + v = 0.
 E x a m p l e s a n d Problems on Cubics. 93
^ «
a n d V is the line at infinity, the given cubic (the Hessian of F )
• 1 1 1 1 „ T , ,
IS 1- -PT- -^ • 1-7^ = 0, a n d the locus is
OLX B y yz bv
V{/37 (ax" - hd)] 4 ^J{ya {fy' - Bv')} + V{a/3 {yz' - Sv')\ = 0,
which, being divisible by v, represents a curve of the third
order. W h e n the given cubic is circular, the locus is circular
and has two foci in c o m m o n with tbe Cayleyan of F; and if
it have also Its double focus on itself, the locus is a
right line.

223. A conic is inscribed in a given triangle; if the foci

are conjugate with respect to a fixed equilateral hyperbola,
show that they lie on a circular cubic which has its double
focus on Itself.

224. Show that

a{y-zf+b{z-x)'+c{x-yy = 0
represents the nodal tangents, a n d
. {2bo + ca + ab)x + {2ca + ab + bc)y+ {2ab + bc + ca)z = 0
the line of inflexions of the cubic
ax{y — z)' + by {z — x y + cz (x — y)' = 0.

225. If the tangents at the vertices of a triangle Inscribed

in a cubic pass through a point, the cubic, referred to the
triangle, can b e written
U = ax {y' - z'] 4 by {z' - x") 4 cz (x" - f ) 4 2dxyz = 0,
f r o m which it appears that the lines, joining the vertices to the
points in w h i c h the opposite sides m e e t the curve again, pass
through a point.
94 Examples and Problems on Cubics.

If 8 and T are the Invariants of TJ, and

s^d'+V' + d + ^, q = d'd' + b'd + c'a\ r=a'b'd,
8=12{s'-Sq), T = - i { 2 s ' - 9 q s + 2 7 r ) .
If TIhaa a cusp, qs — 9r = 0, and a"' 4 & ' 4 c"^ = 0.

226. A triangle is inscribed in a cubic so that the tangent

at each vertex passes through the point where the opposite
iide meets the curve again; the cubic referred to the triangle
can be written
TJb X {ay' + bz') + y {az' + bx') + z {ax' + by') + 2cxyz = 0.
If 3 (a 4 6) 4 2c = 0, the curve has a node at the point
x = y = z, and then
of + if + z' — xy — y z — z x = 0
represents the nodal tangents, and x + y + z = 0 the line of
Inflexions.
If H h e the Hessian of U,
H = c"U+ { 2 a b c - d - F ) {x' + f + z'-3xyz),
from which it is evident that x^+y^ + z' — Sxyz = 0 must
represent the sides of a canonical triangle. Hence each
vertex is the pole of the opposite side with regard to one of
the canonical triangles.
Thus, for the envelope of such triangles inscribed in the
curve, {7 being written
x' 4 2/* 4 z^ 4 Gmxyz = 0,
w e have the equation in tangential coordinates
2 = ^ V + 7 V 4 a'/3» 4 6md'0'y' = 0-^
and, since there are four canonical triangles, the complete
envelope consists of four curves of the sixth class.
B y writing the tangential equation of the cubic in the form
(a" 4 /B" 4 7" - U m ' a B y f - 4 ( 1 4 Sm") 2 = 0,
w e see that 2 touches the cubic in eighteen points.
 Examples and Problems on Cubics. 95

For the nodal cubic the envelope is a curve of the

fourth class.
If a side A B of one of such triangles meet the curve
again in C , the point of contact of A B with its envelope is
the harmonic conjugate of G' with respect to A , B. If
{x, y, z) be the coordinates of the vertex opposite A B , the

equation of AB will be -;4-^4-; = P = 0; and, dlfferen-

X y z ' '
tiating this equation, subject to the condition
a;^+y'^ + z"+&mx'y'z' = 0,
w e find for the coordinates (x„ y^, a,) of the point of contact

x, = x'(_p4 2), 2/,=2/'b^' + ^'^)> ^. = ^'{p^ + q.^%

where p = x " + ^y''+ S'z'\ q = x " + ^'y"+^z'% Sf^l.
But C" (Xg, y^, srj, being the tangential of (x', y', z'), has for
its coordinates
x, = x ' { p - q ) , y, = y'{pS;'-q^), z^ = z'{pS-q^');
hence (Xj, 3/,, ^J and {x^, y^, z^ divide harmonically the line
joining the points x', S'y', $z'; x', %', 3-'z'. N o w these
points lie on the line L and also on the curve; they are,
therefore, the points A , B.

227. A triangle is inscrlFed In a circular cubic so that

the tangent at each vertex passes through the point where the
opposite side meets the curve again; show that the osculating
circles at the vertices pass through the same point on
the curve.

228. Show that the curve

2 {ax + b y + czy- {a + b + c) {ax+by + ezy {x + y + z)
4 (a 4 6 4 dfxyz = 0
96 Examples and Problems on Cubics.

has a node at the point x=y = z, and that

(ci' - F - c" 4 45c) [y - zy + {b' - c" - a" 4 4ca) {z - x y
.^^{c'-d-b'+iab){x-yy = 0
represents the nodal tangents.
If \/a 4 V ^ + Vc = 0) the node becomes a cusp, and
{ b ^ c ) x + { c - a)y + {a — b)z = 0
represents the cuspidal tangent..

229. Show that the invariant 8 vanishes for the cubic

{x + y + z y - 2ixyz = 0,
and the invariant T for either of the cubics
(x 4 «/ 4 »)' - 6 (3 + ^3) xyz = 0.

230. A variable cubic is Inscribed in twofixedtriangles

so that the points of contact of each of the triangles lie on a
line; to show that the point of intersection of these lines is
one or other of sixfixedpoints.
li A B C , A ' B ' C he the two triangles, the cubic can be
written in either of the forms
A B C - H ' F = 0 , AB'G'-D"F' = 0.
Hence w e can deduce the identical relation
A B G + XA'B C = I>'F+ XD"F',
from which it is evident that the point B B ' (the node of the
cubic B''F+ XD'''F' = 0) is one of the six critic centres of the
triangles A B C , A'B'G' (Salmon's Higher Plane Curves,
Art. 192).
Also F and F', the satellites of B and B', touch and
intersect on one or other of six nodal cubics.
Taking one of the critic centres for origin and writing
A B C + XA'B' G = B'F+ XH'F' = x^ + f + &xyz.
 Examples and Problems on Cubics. 97

we may assume
B = y + 9x, -i9'F={9*-29)x+{l-26^)y-e9^z,
and then
{y 4 9xy {{9'-29)x + {l-29')y-&e'z] + i 6 ^ A B G = 0
willrepresentone of the variable cubics inscribed in the two
triangles. Since the parameter 9 occurs in the sixth degree,
and there are six systems corresponding to the six critic
centres, it follows that thirty-six of the cubics can be drawn
through a given point.

231. Show that the polar conic 8 oi a point P with

respect to a cubic U meets the Hessian in six points, at
which the tangents to 8 touch the Cayleyan, and the points
corresponding to which are the points of contact of the
tangents from P.

232. A triangle is formed by three points on a cubic,

and another by three corresponding points of the same
system; if the triangles are homologous, show that each of
them meets the curve again in three points on a hne.

233. If, in the preceding example, U be the conic with

regard to which the triangles are reciprocal, show that the
tangents to TJ from corresponding vertices of the triangles
intersect on the cubic, and that if 0 be any point on the
cubic, and P, P' the points of contact of the tangents from
0 to TJ, 0, P, P ' lie on a conic passing through the vertices
of one of the triangles.

234. A conic U has triple contact with a cubic; to show

that the six points on the cubic, at which thetangentstouch TJ,
lie on a eonic.
0
 98 Examples and Problems pn Cubics.

If X, y, z be the tangents at the points of contact, the

cubic m a y be written
{ax + by + cz) {x" + y'' + z' - 2yz - 2zx — 2xy) + xyz = 0,
where x" 4 y' 4 s"- 2yz - 2zx - 2xy = TJ;
and then the locus of the poles with respect to the cubic of
the tangents to Uia found to be
xyz {x + y + z) + {ab + bc + ca) Z7" - 8 {ax •i-by + czy TJ
— 12xyz{ax+by+cz) + {(S +c)yz-\-{c+ a)zx + {a + b)xy] U = 0.
N o w this locus evidently touches the cubic at the three
points of contact with TJ, and meets it again in the six points
at which the tangents touch TJ; therefore, putting
xyz = — {ax + by + cz) TJ
from the equation of the cubic, and dividing by TJ, we
obtain
4 {ax + by + czf + {ab + bG + c a ) U - {aof + by' + cz') = 0,
which represents a conic passing through the six points on
the cubic at which the tangents touch TJ.

235. I is an inflexion of a cubic, and A, B are two

points on a line passing through I; if a radius vector
through / meet the curve in P, Q, show that the locus of
the intersection of P-4 and Q B is a cubic.
Hence show, by letting A , B become the circular points
at infinity, that the cubics, whose equations to rectangular-
axes are
x{ax^ + bif + 2hxy + 2gx-bk')-l = 0,
b'y {A"x" 4 {K' 4 6" - ab) y' 4 2bhxy + 2ghy+ k'h'} - V = 0,
cut each other at right angles at three points on the line
hx + by = 0.
 Examvles and Problems on Cubics. 99

236. Show that a line which meets the cubic

{x + y + z)^ — kxyz = 0
and the line x + y + z = 0 in four points whose invariant 8
vanishes, also meets the lines x,y,z, x + y + z in four points
whose 8 vanishes.

237. Show that a line which meets the cubics

{x + y + zy + kxyz = 0
in six points in involution, is divided harmonically by the
lines X, y, z, x + y + z.

238. If two points are such, that the polar of each with
respect to a cubic U passes through the other, show that
their coordinates (x, y, z), {x, y, z') are connected by the
relations
xx' 4 m iyz' + zy') _ yy' + m {zx' + xz') _ zz' + m {xy' + yx')
yz - zy ~ zx' — xz' xy' — yx

where ?7=x^ + y^ + z^ + Gmxyz,

H = - ni' (x' 4 f 4 z^) 4 ( 1 4 2m') xyz.

239. Show that a point and the intersection of its polars

with respect to a cubic TJ and Its Hessian H lie on the same
cubic of the system U + X H = 0.

240. Two conies are described through four points on

a cubic, the tangents at which pass through the same point
0 on the curve; show that the line joining any point on
the cubic to the intersection of its polars with regard to the
conies passes thro^igh 0.
100 Examples and Problems on Cubics.

241. Lines drawn from a point P to three fixed points

A , B , G Intersect three fixed lines respectively in three
points which form a friangle of giveh area; show that the
locus of Pis a cubic passing through A , B , G.

242. Lines drawn from a point P to three fixed points

A , B , G Interspct the lines B G , C A , A B in three points
which form a triangle homologous with a given triangle;
show that the locus of P is a cubic passing through A , B , G.

243, The points of contact of the tangents drawn from

a point P to a conic TJ lie on a conic which passes through'
fourfixedpoints; show that the locus of P is a cubic which
passes through the vertices of the quadrilateral formed by
the polars of the fixed points with respect to TJ,

244, A conic 8 meets the Hessian of a cubic U in three

pairs of corresponding points; to show that 8 belongs to one
of two systems of conies which have a common Jacobian,
Writing the conic
8 b {a, b, c,f, g, h) {x, y, zf = 0,
and the cubic
TJ= X? 4 / 4 2' 4 Gmxyz = 0,
if w e form the invariant _ 0 of 8 and the polar conic of
(x, y, z) with respect to TJ, w e obtain
0 = a {yz — m'x') + b {zx — nfy') + c {xy — nfz')
+ 2f{nfyz — mx') + 2g {wi'zx — my') + 2h {ni'xy — mz').
N o w , by considering the case when the polar conic breaks
up into right lines, w e see that the conic 0 = 0 passes
through the six points on the Hessian corresponding to its
points of intersection vvith 8. Hence, when 8 passes
 Examples and Problems on Cubics. 101

through three pairs of corresponding points on the Hessian,

It must coincide with 0 , and, therefore, be of the form
a {Xaf + yz) + b {Xy' 4 sx) 4 c {Xz' + xy),
where X = m'±'\/{m*—m), which belongs to the system
having the c o m m o n Jacobian
X (x' 4 ?/' 4 s') - (1 4 4X') xyz = 0.

245. If the discriminant of the covariant conic 0 vanishes,

a conic 8 will meet the Hessian at the vertices of two
triangles, such that each meets the curve again in three
points on a line, and these two lines are the factors of ©.
Hence, a triangle being inscribed in a cubic so that the
sides meet the curve again in three points on a line, if the
circumscribing circle 8 cut orthogonally a fixed circle, the
locus of the centre of 5' is one or other of three cubics.

246. Given the six tangents drawn to a cubic from a

point of the Hessian H , tofindthe absolute invariant of the
curve.
T h e cubic being written in the form
U=ax!'-[-by' + cz'+dd = 0, "
where x + y + z + v = 0, the point xy is on H , and the tangents
from this point to the cubic are
(Vc + ifdf (ax' 4 by") - c d { x + y y = (j)= 0,
(Vc - 'Jdy {ax' 4 bf) - c d { x + yy = ^' = 0,
which form, therefore, two sets of three satisfying the in-
variant relation ^ = 0 (Salmon's Higher Algebra, Art. 199)
with one another. If w e write the discriminant of ^ 4 k<j)'
(which has a square factor when Q vanishes)
{k-a){k-^){k-yy,
102 Examples and Problems on Cubics.

fl J T' /a-Bf
we find —=i, = - ( — ~ ,
U8' Ka + BJ'
where 8=-abcd,
T = b'c'd' 4 c'd'a' + d'd'b' 4 d'b'd
— 2abed {ab + ac + ad + bc-i c d + db).
The tangents to the Cayleyan from xy are also given in
the same case, for the Jacobian of ^ and 0' is
{x + yy{ax'-by')=0,
and X 4 ^ = 0, ax' — b y ' = 0 are the three tangents to* the
Cayleyan from xy.
The Hessians of <f> and ^' are the tangents from xy to H ,

247. To find the length of the segment {t) which the tangent
at any point of a cubic intercepts on the curve.
Suppose the curve, referred to the tangent and normal
at the point as axes of coordinates, to be written
U = (x cos 9^ + y sin 9^ {x cos 9^ + y sin 9^ (x cos 9^ + sin 9^
\\ \'\ :,; 4 aa;"4&/42^x2/4 2/^ = 0,
where 9^, 9^, 9^ are the angles which the normal makes with
the asymptotes; then putting 3/ = 0, w e have
- a
t = cos 9^ cos ^2 cos ^3*
N o w , at the origin.

© ' - ( f^dy,
y-/-^
and ap = — f , where p is the radius of curvature; therefore,

since the value o f ( - ^ ) + ( - j - ) is independent of the axes

 Eocamples and Problems on Cubics. 103

to which the curve is referred, we have referred to any axes

dIJ\' rdU\-
dx / \ dy J
t=
2p cos 6^ cos 9^ cos 9^
Fofr the circular cubic
Z7= (x cos9 + y sin9) (x"4 y') + ax' + by' + 2hxy + 2fy = 0, '

we have ,^V W M^) I ^ ffiVZJ ,

2p cos 9 2p cos 9 '
where r,, r^, r^, r^ are the distances of the origin from four
concyclic foci; for, expressing the condition that x + iy — p = 0
should touch the curve, w e find
p^ + &c. - i f (cos20 4 i am29) = 0,
whence TiI>2PsPi — ~ 4 f {coa29 + isin29),
and therefore r^r^r^r^ = i f .
For the curve whose polar equation is
/ c o s 3 0 4 3&r"4a' = O,
/fr*-8&"»-"-45a=]
w e have t = ir ^ | _ ^ _ _ ^ _ _ ^ J,
r*
and for the curve r'coa39 = a^, i = | — — g — ^ , which Is a
wyr-a)
minimum when r = a V2. For the curve r cos S9 = a,
//Qr'
f2r' - 8a'\
8a"

, 2a
which Is a minimum1 when
when rr == —7-
-7- .
For the curves whose equations Iii rectangular coordinat
are
x'-3ay' = 0, x'-3a"y = 0, xy'-a^ = 0.
104 Examples and Problems on Cubics,

w e find

'=sV(?+*).S^(-'+^').jy(*^^3'
respectively.
For the clssoid (a — x)y' — sf = 0,
ax
t = '2 V{(a-a;)(4a-3x)}

248. A , A'; B , B ' are two pairs of points on a cubic,

such that the lines A A ' , B B ' intersect on the curve; if P be
a variable point on the cubic, and P A , P A ' Intercept a
segment d, and P B , P B ' a s^ment-<^' on one of the asymp-

totes, show that -, 4 -T, = 1, where X and p, are constants.

249. To show that a line (S) meets a circular cubic at

angles whose sum is equal to that which S makes with its
satellite,
K e be the satellite of S, and a, /S, 7 the tangents to the
cubic where it is met by S, the curve m a y be written
a/37 - ^S'e = 0.
If w e write n o w a = xcosa + y aina—p, &c., vvhere x, y are
rectangular Cartesian coordinates, w e have for the conditions
that the curve should be circular k = l, a 4 / 8 4 7 = 2 S 4 £ ,
the latter of which equations gives the result stated above.
Since for a non-singular cubic the coordinates of the satellite
Involve the coordinates of the line in the fourth degree, it
follows that a line which meets the curve at angles whose
sum is constant touches a curve of thefifthclass.
If a line be written ax + ^ y + yz = 0, its satellite with
regard to the cubic
x' 4 2/" + 2" 4 Gmxyz h U = 0
 Examples and Problems on Cubics, 105

is
(a* - 2a/S' - 2a7' - 6m;Q"7") x 4 (/3* - 2By^ - 28tf - Gmy'd') y
4 (7* - 27a' - 27/3' - 6»ia'/3") z = 0;
and, therefore, if the line intersect Its satellite on s = 0, w e
have, after dividing by a' - /S", a ^ + 2my' = 0. Hence, x, y
b e m g rectangular Cartesian coordinates, a tangent to the
conic
4a {y' - 3x") 4 36 = 0
meets the circular cubic
x{a? + y') + a{y'-3x') + b = 0
at angles, whose sum = 0.
For a circular cubic with a node the envelope is a
curve of the third class.
For a circular cubic with a cusp the envelope is a parabola,
and if the sum of the angles = 0 , the envelope touches "the
cuspidal and inflexional tangents. If s be the sum of the
angles at which the line Ix + m y — 1 = 0 meets the clssoid
(a — x) y - a;' = 0, w e have
3m{iat-\)
tans =
4a(2m"-f)4 3r

250. S h o w that, in a circular cubic with a node, the

angle between two tangents which intersect on the curve
is equal to double the angle subtended by their points of
contact at the node.

251. If two conies be described through four points on

a circular cubic, the angle between the two chords in which
the conies meet the curve again, is equal to double the
angle between the axes of the conies.

252. If a, a ; i,b'; c, d be three pairs of corresponding

points on a circular cubic, show that ab'.bd.cd = ad.ba',cb',
p
106 ' Examples and PrddUms on Cubics,

where ab' denotes the length of the line joining the points
a, V, &c.

253. If any point of a circular cubic be joined to four

coiicyclic foci of the curve, the perpendiculars erected at
the foci to the joining lines are all touched by the same circle.
For any point of the cubic is a focus of a conic passing
through the four foci (Salmon's Gonics, Art. 228, E x . 10),
from which, by E x . 166, the truth of the theorem becomes
evident.

254. If perpendiculars be dropped from any point of a

circular cubic on the sides of a quadrilateral formed by four
concyclic foci, four lines joining their feet will form a
quadrilateral circumscribed about a circle. This theorem is

an interpetation of the equation -—— = -,—~- in Salmon's

^ a4c b+d
Higher Plane Curves, Art. 279.
255. If any point P of a circular cubic be jpined to four
(joncyclic foci, the tangent to the curve at P is divided in
a constant anharmonic ratio by the perpendiculars erected
at the foci to the joining lines.
F r o m the equation of the cubic
(5 4 c) p, 4 (a - S) p3 = (a 4 c) p,_,,
(Salmon's Higher Plpme Curves, Art. 279}, w e have, by
differentiation,
{ b ^ e ) ^ + { a - b ) ^ = {a+c)^^,

where iV„ &c. are the points in which the tangent meets the
perpendiculars; whence, eliminating p^,
p^(a-b\PN,,N,N, ' '
P3 \b + e) PN^.N^Nf
 Examples and Problems on Cubics, 107

Also, from the equation

{c-d)p^ + {a + d)p^={a+c)p„
in the same way we have
P,_/a4J^PiV;.i\r.V,
p, \ c - d ) PN^.N^N,'
3, \c-

therefore, equating the values

g the values ofof
— ,—,
wewe
obtain
obta
Pa
N^N^.N^N^ {a-b){c-d)
N^N^,N^N^ {b + c){a+d)-
T o show that one of the conies described through P to
touch the four perpendiculars is touched by the cubic at P.
A circle 2 cutting orthogonally the circle
J=x' + y'-k' = 0,
and having its centre on the parabola
F={y-l3y-im{x-a),
can be written
2^x"43/"- 2 (a4 mp,') x - 2 { ^ + 2mp,) y + k' = 0,
and the envelope of 2 is a circular cubic, of which the points
of intersection of F and J are foci. Hence, the envelope of
the polars of P (x', y') with regard to 2, which will evidently
touch the four perpendiculars, is
( x 4 x ) {xx' + yy'-a{x + x')-p{y + y') +k'] + m { y + y'y= 0;
but this conic, as can be easily seen, touches the cubic
at x', y.

256. Show that the tangent at any point P of a circula

cubic is divided in a constant anharmonic ratio by the polars
of P with regard to four fixed circles ha,ving double contact
with the cubic, and show that this anharmonic ratio is equal
to that of the pencil joining any point on the parabola Fio
the centres of the four circles.
108 Examples and Problems on Cubics.

257. Two circles have double contact with a circular

cubic, and a third circle is described through their points of
contact; if P be any point on the curve, show that the
tangent at P is divided harmonically at P, and the points
where it meets the polars of P with respect to the three
circles.

258. If a variable point P of a circular cubic be joined to

three centres of inversion A , B , G, and lines be drawn
bisecting P A , P B , P G at right angles, the intersection of
the perpendiculars of the triangle so formed will lie on a
parallel to the asymptote through the centre of the circle
passing through A , B , G.
This line is the directrix of the focal parabola corre-
sponding to the fourth centre of inversion.

259. If a variable point P of a circular cubic be joined

to the points denoted by the letters 8, TJ, V In the figure in
Salmon's Higher Plane Curves, Art. 278, and lines be drawn
bisecting P 8 , PTJ, P V at right angles, the centre of the
circle circumscribing the triangle so formed will lie on a
parallel to the asymptote through the centre of the circle
passing through 8, TJ, V.

260. The point TJ (Salmon's Curves, Art. 278) is that

point on the infinite branch of the curve from which the
tangents to the oval contain a m a x i m u m angle.
Since any conic meets a cubic, so that three chords of
intersection meet the cubic again in three points on a line,
it follows that a circle meets a circular cubic, so that two
finite chords of Intersection meet the cubic again in two
points which lie on a parallel to the asymptote. But the
chord of contact of the tangents from TJ to the oval is
parallel to the asymptote (Salmon's Curves, Art. 150); hence
 Examples and Problems on Cubics. 109

a circle can be described touching the curve at £7" and passin

through the points of contact of the tangents from TJ to the
oval, which shows that the angle between- the tangents is a
maximum.

261. If 7 be the chord of curvature through a centre

of inversion at any point P of a circular cubic, show that

7 = —^—, where t is the length of the tangent from P to

the circle of inversion, 9 is the angle which the chord makes

with the asymptote, and S Is the projection on the asymptote
of the segment of the tangent at P intercepted by the curve.

262. A circular cubic having Its double focus on Itself

passes through A A ' , BB', G C the extremities of the three
diagonals of a quadrilateral; if P be any point on the curve,
the relation holds
MN.PA.PA' + NL.PB.PB' + LM.PG.PG' = 0,
where L , M , N are the middle points of the diagonals.
For any point P on this cubic is the focus of a conic
inscribed in the quadrilateral, and therefore the feet of the
perpendiculars from P on the sides lie on a circle (the
auxiliary circle of the conic) ; Ptolemy's theorem then
furnishes the relation given above.

263. A circular cubic has its double focus on itself; if

a line through the double focus meet the curve again in
A , B , show that the circle described on A B as diameter
passes through two fixed points.

264. Show that the circular cubics, whose equations in

rectangular coordinates are
Ix {of 4 / + c") 4 m y (x" + y'- c") + n { x ' + y') = 0,
I'x (x" + f + c") 4 m'y (x" 4 y' - c") 4 n (x" 4 y') = 0,
110 Examples and Problems on Cubics.

cut each other at an angle equal to that between their

asymptotes.

265. Points on the cubic

y (x" 4 f - o ' ) - a (x" 4 y') = 0,
connected by the relations
xx'— yy'— d •= 0, xy' + yx' = Q,
are corresponding points; i? d h e the distance between such
a pair of points, and S the distance of their middle point from
the origin, shew that
c7*=16{aV4(8"-c")"}.
F r o m this expression, it follows that the minimum value
oi d'la 2 \J{ac) if 2c > a, but if 2c < a, the minimum value is
V(a"4 4c").

266. T h e parabola
(x" - if — c") cos 2 ^ 4 2xy sin 2(^
-{x' + y'-2ax-2^y + k')= U=0
has triple contact with the circular cubic
{y 4 (x - c)"} {/ 4 (a; 4 c)"} - (x" 4 f - 2ax - 2 % 4 k'y = 0,
of which the points x = ±c, y = 0 are evidently foci, and since
the cubic can be reduced to this form in six ways, it follows
that there are six systems of parabolas having triple contact
with the curve.
Writing ?7in the form
2 { x s m 4 ) - y cos^)" = 2ax 4 2/3y - {k' + d cos 2^),
w e have, differentiating with regard to ^,
2 { x a m ^ — y co3(}>) (xcos^42/sin^) =c"sln2^,
whence, by division,
{xcoa<f) + y sin^) {2ax 4 2/3^/- {k' + d cos2<^)}
— c" sin 2<f> (x sin <f)—y cos ^) = 0,
 Examples and P-oblems on Cubics. Ill

which represents a third conic passing through the three

points of contact. Combining these three equations so as to
obtain the equation of a circle, w e find
cos^ {a ( x " 4 / 4 c')- Qf+c') x ] 4 sin^ {/3 {x'+y'-c') - {k'-d)y]
4 (acos<^4;8sin0) {x' + y ' - 2 a x - 2 P y + k') = 0,
which is the equation of the circle passing through the three
points of contact. This circle, therefore, passes through two
fixed points.
T h e nine-point circle of the triangle formed by the points
of contact passes through a fixed point (the middle point of
the line joining the foci); for an equilateral hyperbola having
this point for centre passes through the points of contact.
Writing U m the form
2 {(x - ia) sin ^ - (2/ - i/3) cos ^ } "
= 2 (a cos^4/3sin^) {x coaj>+y s m ^ )
4 i (a sin0 - /3 cos^)" - {W + c" cos2(^),
w e sec that the axis passes through the fixed point ia, i/3,
and that the tangent at the vertex touches the parabola
{2ay 4 2/3x- a^)"- 4 (2ax - c " - k'- i/3")(2% - k'+ c'-^a') = 0 .
If p be the principal parameter p = a cos^4/8sin(^; hence
w e see that the directrix touches a parabola, and this para-
bola, by considering two consecutive curves of the system,
is seen to be the locus of the intersection of the perpendiculars
of the triangle formed by the tangents at the points of
contact. Also the locus- of the focus is a circular cubic with
a node at the point ia, i/3, and this cubic is touched by the
circle circumscribing the triangle formed by the tangents
at the points of contact.

267. Two parabolas of the same system described through

a point P to have triple contact with a circular cubic cut
112 Examples and Problems on Cubics.

each other orthogonally at P; show that the locus of P Is

a bicircular quartic.

268. If «„ t^, t^, t^ be the lengths of the tangents drawn

from any point of the curve to a circular cubic, show that.

(C-C)(C-C)
{t;'-t:){t:'-t:)
is equal to the anharmonic ratio of the tangents taken in
the proper order.

269. A, B, G, B are four points on a circular cubic, and

A', E , C , D' are the centres of the four circles circum-
scribing the triangles A B C , &c.; if P be the point where
the asymptote meets the curve, and F the double focus,
show that the anharmonic ratio of the pencil P A , P B ,
P C , P B is equal to that of the pencil F A , FB', EG', FB'.

270. If the tangent at a point P of a circular cubic meet

the curve again in A , and the asymptote in B , show that
^ P = 2 P i V , where iV is the foot of the perpendicular from
the, double focus on the tangent.

271. Show that any circle meets a circular cubic at

angles the sum of whose cotangents = 0 .
If a line meet the curve at angles a, /3, 7, and the
asymptote at an angle S, show that
cot a 4 cot /8 4 cot 7 = cot S.

272. A circle 8 cuts orthogonally the circle

x' + y'- 2x'x - 2y'y + ¥ = 0,
and passes through the points where parallels to the asymptote
meet the circular cubic
{x+a){x'+y') + lx-^my + n = 0;
 Eocamples and Problems on Cubics. 113

show that the locus of the centre of ;?Is the conic

2 {my' + n-la) y' + 2m (x' + a)oay + nfx - m {k' + l)y = 0.

273. A series of circles having the origin for centre

meets the circular cubic
(Zx 4 my) (x" 4 y') 4 ax" 4 by' + 2gx 4 2/y 4 c = 0;
show that the locus of the centres of the quadrangle' formed
by the points of intersection is the quartic
{ly - mxy {gx +fy +c) + {{a -b)xy + gy -fx}
X {Im {x' 4 y') - (P - m') xy + 2max - 2lby + m g - lf} = 0.

274. Show that the locus of the centre of the circle

passing through the three centres of the, same quadrangle is
the cubic
{lx + m y + a + bf {2bgx + 2afy 4 c (a 4 b)}
— 2{h! + m y + a + b){gx +fy + c) {lbx + may + 2ab)
= '{{lf-mg)x+f{a + b)-meY+{{lf-mg)y-g{a + b) + lc}\

275. Four lines

xco39,+ysm9^—pj = 0, &c.,
are tangents to the conic
a;" y' . .
,-. + 1 - 1 = 0;
if2d9 = 0,
cos 9d9 ain 9d9 ^
^^/{dcos*9+b'sin"9)~ ' ^{dcos"9 + b'auf9) '
show that they form a quadrilateral inscribed in a fixed
circular cubic.

t/276. AA', B B ' are two fixed chords of a circular cubic

which intersect on the curve; If P be a variable point on the
Q
114 Examples and Problems on ^Cubics.

curve, and a, /3 the angles subtended by AA', BB' at P, show

that X cot a 4 p, cot/3,= 1, where X and p, are constants.

277. Let a point P be taken on the line bisecting at right

angles the line joining two points P „ F^, then if p^, p^, p be
the distances of a point from P,, F^, P, respectively, the
equation of a circular cubic having P for a node, and F^, F^
for foci, is p, 4 Pj = 2p. Transforming to elliptic coordinates,
P „ F.^ being the foci of the system of conies, this equation
becomes
V(c"-v"){/^4V(/^"-c")}. = c^,
where yS is the distance of P from the middle point of P „ F .
If w e take a point Q on the line joining P^, F^, the equa-
tion of a circular cubic having Q for a npde, and P „ F,
for foci is In elliptic coordinates
v{p. + \f{p:' - c")} = ca,
where a is the distance of Q from the middle point of P „ F .
Three points of intersection of these two cubics lie on a
line perpendicular to P Q , and the remaining points of inter-
section He on the point circle (x — a)"'4 {y - B y = 0. A t one
of the points oh the line the two curves cut each other at
right angles, for their dlfferentla,j equations are

V(m' - d) V(c^ - f) ' ^(/i' - d) * v~^'

and at the two other points the^ cut each other at an angle

= cos"' —^, where c = \FJF.^. If S be the distance between

c
the two latter points,

278. Show that. In the preceding example, the Cartesian

 Examples and Problems on Cubics. 115

coordinates x, y of a point can be expressed rationally in

terms of a and /3 as follows:
a(a"4-/3"4c") ^ ^(a"4/3"-c")
^^~ a"4/3" •' ^^ o?T]e^ •

27.9. Two nodal circular cubics having their foci in

c o m m o n meet each other in three points on a line and four
points on a circle; show that, at one of the points on the
line, they intersect at an angle equal to that between their
asymptotes. If this angle Is right, show that the radius of
the' circle of intersection vanishes.
A nodal circular cubic being written
[{x-ay + {y-PY-r'Y-py' = 0,
where p, p' are the distances of x, y from the points ± c, 0,
show that
(a" 4 ^" - 2r') {a' + ^') = 2d {d - yS"),

and that -K,—hs i —>—7^- ?

a'4/3" ' «"4/3' '
are the coordinates of the node.

280. The equation of a nodal cubic, referred to the

triangle formed by the inflexional tangents, m a y be written
x^ + yi + z-h = 0, or in tangential coordinates X~* + p, " 4 v" = 0.
If w e combine with the latter equation the equation of a
point x X + ypj + gv = 0, w e get a biquadratic which deter-
mines the tangents drawn from (x, y, z) to the curve.
Let us consider the cubics
/ = au' 4 bd 4 cw\ f = dif + b'd + dw\
where u + v + w = 0. Then the discriminant of f + k f Is seen
to be
(a 4 kd)-^ 4 (5 4 SS')'* 4 (c 4 ic')"* = 0.
116 Examples and Problems on Cubics.

Let us suppose that this equation In k coincides with the

biquadratic found above; w e must have, then,
X = a 4 kd, p, = b + kV, v = e + kc ;
and, since oSK + yp, + zv = 0, Identically,
X y z
{be) {ca) {ab')'
*Now the invariants, 8 and T, of the equation In k are ex-
pressed In terms of the combinants P and Q, of the cubics
/and/', thus (Salmon's Higher Algebra, Art. 204),
;8 = 3P(P'-24G),
T = - ( P ^ - 3 6 P ' $ 4 216Q").
But P=(a6')4(5c')4(ca'),
Q = {ab'){bc'){cd);
hence P = x + y + z , Q = xyz,
and 8 = 3 { x + y + z){{x + y+zy-2ixyz],
T = ~ { { x + y + zf - 3<oxyz {x+y + zf + 21^x'y'z'\;
, -8" 2nX{X-2iy
^^^'^'^ y" = (X"-36X4 216)"'
where (x 4 ?/ 4 «)' = Xx^a.
Let us calculate the invariants of the cubic
{x + y + zy-\xyz = 0.
W e find 8' = 3X= (X- 24), T ' = - X * ( X " - 3 6 X 4 2 1 6 ) .
. ' 8"
Hence w e infer, that the absolute invariant ^ ^ of the
tangents drawn from any point to the nodal cubic
{ x ^ y + z f - 27 xyz = 0 t
a IS
is equal to the absolute invariant -^.^ of the cubic of the

system {x + y + z y - X x y z = 0 which passes through the point.

 Examples and Problems on Cubics, 117

281. Using trilinear coordinates and writing the cubic

{la + m ^ + nyy - 27lmna^y = 0,
If a cubic of the system
{la + rrt/3 4 n y f - Xa/37 = 0
pass through the circular points at infinity, the foci of the
curve will lie, by fours, on four circles (Salmon's Higher
Plane Curves, Art. 168). This condition is equivalent to
making the line of the inflexions meet the curve at angles
whose sum = 0. For writing
a = Xcosa4 Yama-p^, &c.,
'ia4 m 0 + ny = kS = k{Xco3S + YsmS—p).,
where X , Y are rectangular Cartesian coordinates, w e have
for the circular points a : ^ : y : 8 = e " : d'^ : e^" ; e"*; and,
therefore, when ayS7 - X'8' = 0 passes through the two circular
points X ' = l , a 4 / 3 4 7 = 38, the latter of which equations
gives the condition stated above.
T h e curve, in this case, has all Its foci in c o m m o n with
two circular cubics.

282. A nodal cubic, being referred to the triangle formed

by the nodal tangents and the line of the Inflexions, can be
written x' + y' + &xyz = 0. Eliminating z between the equa-
tions of the curve and the polar conic of (x', y', z)
TJ= x' {of 4 2yz) + y' {y' + 2zx) + 2z'xy,
w e obtain
y'x* - 2 x ' x y - %z'x'y' - 2y'xf 4 x'/ = 0.
Multiplying this equation by x'x" 4 yy', It becomes
x'/ (x' + y^- i x Y ) + («" - 6?/'a') x'f + {y" - 6a'x') 2/"x*
- 2x'V«/ - 2y'xf = 0.
118 Examples and Problems on Cubics.

But, from the equation of the curve,

x" 4 / - 4 x y = 6x"y" (6a" - xy),
x^y = - off {y' 4 6ax), x / = - off (x" 4 ^yz);
hence, substituting and dividing by 3x"«/", w e have
{y"- 2z'x)-x'4 {x' - 2y'z)y' + \2xy'z'
4 if'yB 4 4x"'2ix - 2x'y'xy = 0,
which represents a conic passing through the points of con-
tact of tangents from (x', y', z') to the curve.
If w e call this conic F, V + X T J = 0 represents any conic
passing through the points of contact of the tangents.
Hence, the locus of points, from which the tangents have
their points pf contact on a conic passing through two fixed
points, is a cubic TJfV^— V^U^ = 0. B y taking for the fixed
points the circular points at infinity, w e have the locus
of points whence the tangents have their points of contact
on a circle.
Putting X = — 2s' in the equation of the conic F 4 X TJ= 0,
w e obtain the equation of the conic of the. system which
passes through {x, y', z'):
{y"- iz'x') of 4 {x' -iy'z') f + 12x'y'z'
+ 4 {y" - z'x) yz + i {x" - y z ) z x - 2 {xy + 2z") xy = 0.
The tangent to this conic at (x-, y', z') is
z' (x'" 4 2y'z') x + z' {y" + 2z'x') y - {x" +y'' + ix'y'z') z = 0,
which coincides with the tangent to the cubic
z" (x" 4 / 4 &xyz) - (x" 4 y" 4 Gx'y'z') a" = 0
at the same point, as It ought (see Salmon's Curves, Art. 169).

283. The discriminant of F 4 X Z7 is found to be, after

dividing by the Hessian {= x' + y" — 2xyz),
X' - 6a'X" 4 4 (x" 4 f 4 Gx'y'z') = 0.
 Examples and Problems on Cubics. 119

By means of this result we can find the locus of the i

tersection of the tangents at. the extremities of a chord
which passes through afixedpoint. Forming the equation
of the chords of intersection of TJ and F, and expressing
this equation is satisfied by the coordinates of the fixed
point, we obtain the equation of the locus
W " 4 6aPlF" - 4 (x' 4 f + 6xyz) P' = 0,
where W = {y" 4 4a'x') x" 4 (x'" 4 iy'z') y' - 2y"yz - 2x"zx
4 2 (6a'" — x'y') xy,
P = (x'" 4 2y'z') X 4 {y" 4 2a'x') y + 2x'y'z,
(x, y, z) being now the coordinates of a point on the locus,
and {x', y', z') of thefixedpoint.
W h e n thefixedpoint is on the curve,

TF=--l;(xx'"42//)P,
xy
and the locus, after having been divided by P', becomes
4x'y' (x' 4 f ) 4 (xx'" 4 yy"y -Qx'y' (xx'" - y f f a = 0,
which represents a cubic with xy for a cusp.

284. If tangents be drawn from (x', y', z) to the cubi

x' 4 y 4 Qxyz = 0, show that the anharmonic ratios of the
lines joining the node to their points of contact is given
by the equation
r_" _ {d- iz'j
8" " 432a'' '
where u' = x" + y" + Gx'y'z',
Show that the anharmonic ratio of the lines joining the
node to the points where the tangents meet the curve again
is given by the equation
P'" _ (M'"-36a'V4 216a'y-
8'"~ lT2iiz"{9z"-u'y '
120 Examples and Problems on Cubics.

285. Show that the conic we have called W (Ex. 283)

passes through the points where the tangents from (x', y', z')
meet the cubic again.

286, A line,-which meets the cubic af+ y" — 3ocyz = 0

and the line y — m x = 0, so that the invariant 8 of the four
points of intersection vanishes. Is a tangent to
a'-/S7 4 5w (a;S - 7") 4/8" - 7a = 0,
which represents a conic touching the three inflexional tan-
gents and the curve.
If the cubic be written a? + y^ + z'' = 0, and the line
Ix 4 m y + nz = 0,
where l + m + n = 0, the conic is

(f)'-(l)*^©*--

287. Given the foci of a nodal cubic, to determine the

curve.
Or, in other words, to inscribe a nodal cubic in two
pencils of four lines each. Suppose the cubic to be written
In the form 9x = f , 9y = f , 9z = f , where f^, f , f are binary
quantlcs of the third degree in a parameter X, and xz, yz
are the vertices of the pencils. Since w e obtain the equation
of the tangents from xa to the curve by equating to zero
the discriminant of x ^ — yf, it follows that If the coefficients
of f and f he given, these tangents will be given. If
w e write n o w
/_, = aX' 4 3&X" 4 3cX + d , f = a'X" + Zb'X' + 3o'X + d,
w e determine a, b', d, d', by expressing that the tangents
from yz to the curve are given, or that the coefficients of
y*, &c. in the discriminant of y f — zf are given. Hence the
 Eveamples and Problems on Cubics. 121

quantities AP, A"P, £fB, A^B, where

A^ _ Id J, d ,d J, d
da db dc dd'
and B is the discriminant o i f , must be given. These equa-
tions being of the first, second, third, and fourth degrees
respectively, give twenty-four values of d, b', c, d'. H e n c e
there are twenty-four curves satisfying the given conditions.

288. Let Z7denote the nodal cubic

{la + m 8 + n y f - 27lmna8y = 0 ;

where A, B, G are the angles of the triangle of reference, U

touches the inscribed circle and has a focus on the clrcum-
circle at the point
sin A cos"i.4 sinP cos" i P sin (7 cos"i C
I ' m ' n '
For It can be easily seen that
c o s i ^ {a)'i 4 cosiP(;8)"* 4 cos J (7 (7)"^ = ©
represents a tricuspidal quartic passing through the circular
points at infinity. Eeciprocating this equation (see Salmon's
Conies, Art. 311), and Identifying the result with the tangential
equation of U, w e have, since the origin is a focus,
sing, sin" jg, _ sing^ sin^j^^ _ sin^3sin"ig^
la' mB' ny' '
where 9^, 9^, 9^ are the angles the sides of the triangle subtend
at a focus. B u t for a point on the circumscribing circle

9^ = IT - A, &c., and -r 4 37 + -, = 0;
a B y
I 171 '' 71
therefore —in—, H -rrr, H sTTi = 0.
cos'i^ cos'iP cos"i (7
122 Examples and Problems on Cubics,

289. Writing x=9,y = 9',z=l + e'' for a point on the

cubic x ' 4 / - x ? / a = 0, if a9ff + b{9+9') + c = 0, the chord
joining the points 9. & touches a conic having triple contact
with the curve. For the equation of the chord is
{^ff'e" - 9 - 9 ' ) x + { l - 9'9' - 9"9) y + 99'z = 0,
whence the coordinates of the chord m a y be written
X = bt'+ at'+c, p, = af + ct + b, v = bt,
where t = 99', showing that the envelope of the chord is a
conic. If w e substitute the coordinates of the chord in the'
tangential equation of the curve
2 7 / - ISXpv' 4 4 (X' 4 /*') v - X"p," = 0,
w e must get a result proportional to
• {9-9'f{9-9"y{9'-9"f,

where 9" = — — is the parameter of the point where the chord

meets the curve again. Hence it appears that the conic has
triple contact with the cubic at the points
b9^ + c9''-a9-b = 0,
and that the points of contact of the c o m m o n tangents are
aff'+2b9 + c = 0.
F r o m the latter equation it can be seen that the problem " T o
describe a conic having triple contact with a nodal cubic to
touch two given tangents to the curve " admits of a single
solution.
If two lines meet the cubic in the points a, /3,y; a', yS', 7',
respectively, and if
aaa' 4 & (a 4 a') 4 c = 0, a/3/S'4 6 (/3 4 /3') 4 c = 0,
ayy' + b {y + y ) + c = 0,
in which case the chords aa', ^^', 77' are tangents to a conic
having triple contact with the curve, then the point of inter-
 Examples and Problems on Cubics, 123

section of the lines Is fixed. For eliminating 7, 7', a', /3'

between these equations and a^y = a'B'y' = — 1, w e obtain.
b (a" - be) (a"/3" - a - yS) 4 5 (c" - a b ) (1 - d'B - /3"a)
+ {2F-d-d)aB = 0,
which shows that the line a/8, and of course also the line a'yS',
passes through the point
ic = & (a" - be), y = b (c" - ab), .a = 2S' - a ° - d.
In the same way, putting y = 9x in the equation of the
cuspidal cubic y^ — x'z = 0, if
~ a99' + b{9 + 9')+c = 0,
the chord 99' is enveloped by a conic having double contact
with the curve and touching the inflexional tangent. Also,
if two lines meet the curve in the points a, /3, 7 ; a', /3', 7', and
if aaa' 4 J (a 4 a') 4 c = 0, &c., the point of intersection of the
lines is thefixedpoint
x = -3a'b, y = a{ac + 2b'), z = 3b'c.
B y reciprocation w e see that, if
a99'+b{9 + 9') + c=-0,
the tangents at 9, 9' intersect on a conic having double contact
with the curve and passing through the cusp.

290. If the tangent at a point a of the cubic

of + f — xyz = 0
meet the curve again in a, w e have a"a' = — 1; hence w e see
that the line
(14 a*/3" 4/SV) X 4 (a*/3* + a ' + ^')y + a"/3"a = 0
is the satellite of
(a^/S" - a - /3) X 4 (1 - a'jS - /3"a) y + a/3a = 0.
Writing the latter line
X x + py + vz = 0,
the satellite will be, then,
{p^-2vX)x + ^'-2p,v)y + v'z = 0,
124 Examples and problems- on Cubics,

Hence if the satellite pass through tbe fixed point x , y, z,

the four corresponding lines will form a quadrilateral inscribed
in the cubic and circumscribed about tbe conic
y {X'-2pv) 4 X [p!' - 2vX) 4 s'v" = 0.
B y considering the case when the satellite is a tangent to the
curve, w e see that this conic touches the eight tangents drawn
to the curve from the points of contact of tangents from
x',y',z'.^
If a line pass through the fixed point x , y, a', the satellite
touches the conic
(2s'x'-y") x"4 (22/'a'-x')if+ y"yz + od'zx + {z" + 2x'y') xy=0.
This conic,, it can easily be seen, touches the tangents to
the cubic at the points where the tangents from x , y', z' meet
the curve again.
If the curve be written { x + y + z)"-27xyz = 0, the
satellite of X x 4 yiij/ 4 J'a = 0 is
(X" — 2X/i - 2Xv + Gp,v) x + {p!' - 2pX — 2p,v -{• 6vX) y
4 (v" - 2vX - 2vp, 4 6X/t) a = 0.

291. If w e put y = 9 x m the equation of the cubic

x' 4 / 4 &xyz = 0,
the condition that the chord 9^, 9^, should pass through the
fixed point x , y, a' is
{919-:-9^-9^a;'4 (1 - 9:9^-9;'9,)y'- & 9 , 9 / = 0,
which m a y be written
A A 4 B,9^ + G, = A^9^ 4 B^9^ 4 a. = 0,
where .4,, &c. are functions pf 9^, and A^, &c. of 9^. Hence,
differentiating, w e have
{A^9^ + B^)d9,+ {A.P^ + B ^ d 9 = 0 ;
 Examples and Problems on Cubics. 125

therefore V(P,' - 4A^ G^) d9^ + ^/{By - iA^ CJ d9^ = 0

d9,_ d9^
or -n^\- + , nfr.. = 0,
V/(^J ^ 'Jf{9,) •
where
f{9) =y'ef+ 4 (33/'a'4x'") ^'46 (6a'"-x'?/')5'44 {3z'od+y") 9+x".
In a similar manner wefindfor the cuspidal cubic
3 2 \ d9^ d9^
^-^^='' v7(fe-^vm)=''
where f{9) = (i/' - 9x') {x'9^ + iy'ff' - 4a').

292. A triangle being inscribed in the cuspidal cubic

defined by the equations y = 9x, a = 9^x, so that the tangents
at the vertices pass through the point x, y, a, the equations
L-9^9^M=0, L-9^9^M=0, L-9^9^M=0,
where
L = 29^9Ji^x- {9, + 9,+ 9J'y + z, M = { 9 , + 9^ + 9,)x + 3y,
represent the lines joining the vertices to the points in which
the opposite sides meet the cmwe again. These lines, there-
fore (see Ex. 225), pass through a point, the coordinates of
which are, since 9^, 9,^, 9^ are the roots of 2x9^ - 3y9' 4 ^ = 0,
x' = 8x% y' = - ix'y, z' = Sax" - dy\
If we are given the point x, y, a', we have
x = a;", y = -2x"y', z = x'd-9,y'\
, 8aa;" a'x'"
and - ^ + = 9.
y y
Hence if one of the points lie on a locus F, the other will lie
on a curve having the same deficiency as F (see Salmon's
Curves, Art. 364).

293. If a triangle be inscribed in the cubic k'y = of

that the tangents at the vertices pass through a point, the
123 Examples and Problems on Cubics,

axis of 3^ will be a tangent to the conic touching the sides o

4he triangle at their middle points.
Let X 4 2/ 4 a = P, ax 4 Z>2/ 4 ca = if, a'x 4 % . + fz = N , •
where x, y, z are the sides of the triangle, then
L ' N - H P = X \ { a - b y { a + 2b)if+{a-cy{a + 2c) a"}
+ y[{b-cy{b + 2c) a" 4 (6 - a)" {b + 2a) x'}
4 a {(c-a)"(c42a)x"4(c-5)"(c42%"}42x2/a(a''4&'4c'- 3aJc).
If w e seek n o w the condition that the tangents to this
cubic at the vertices of the triangle should pass through a
point, w e find ab + b o + c a = 0; and when this relation is
•satisfied the line M ' touches */x + \Jy + \lz = 0. But if
x + y + z = 0 is the line at infinity, this conic touches the sides
of the triangle at their middle points. In the same case the
lines joining the vertices to the points in which the opposite
.sides meet the curve again Intersect on the conic xy+yz+zx=0.

\ 294. Let three points g,,' 9^, 9^ he taken on the cubic

y = 9x, a = e \ such that ^i 4 61^ 4 ^3 = 0,
4 (^,^2 + ^2^3 + ^8^.)' + 272; 9 X ' 9 ^ ' = 0,
then the tangents at these points form a triangle inscribed in
the cubic y^ - kx'z = F = 0, T h e points of contact of the
sides of this triangle lie on a line which touches ky'^ — ofz = 0,
and the tangents to F at the vertices of the triangle pass
through a point which lies on y^ — k'ofz = 0.

295. Show that the locus of the intersection of rectangular

tangents to tbe cubic (ax 4 by)' — x" = 0 is a parabola haying
double contact with the curve; and, reciprocally, that the
envelope of a chord which subtends a right aingle at "the
cusp is a conic having double contact with the curve and
passing through the cusp.
 Examples and Problems on Cubics, 1*27

296. The cubic whose equation in rectangular coordinat

is xy' — ic^ = 0 has three foci at the points
x = — 3a,y = 0; x = ^a, y = ±^a\j3.
The locus of the Intersection of rectangular tangents to
the same cubic Is of + y' — 3ax = 0, a circle having double
contact with the curve at points on the line x = 2a.
A chord of the curve, which subtends a right angle at the
origin, touches the parabola
of + y'-{x-2ayiy = 0,

297. If the coefiScient of ocy be absent in the equati

a conic, show that it meets the cubic ?/' — x"a = 0 in six points
where the tangents to the cubic are touched by a conic.

'298. The equation of the conic, osculating the.cubic

xy' — a' = 0 at the point where a = 9y, is
x" - 5 9 Y - i59V 4 i09'xy + 2i9'yz - 159''zx = 0.
Hence six conies of the system can be drawn through a
point, and the tangents at the points of contact are all
touched by a conic.
Also we can show that the locus of the centres of hyper-
bolas osculating the cubic 3y = x" is 125x^ 4 192?/ = 0.

299. Show that the anharmonic ratio of the tangents

from X, y, z to the cubic y^ —ofz, and (1) the line from the
• 27 P"
same point to yz is given by the equation — ^ = k, (2) the
27 T' '
line to zx, ^ = (1 — 2A;)", (3) the line to xy,
27 T' _ (8F-36^4 27)''
^S' ~ . (9-8/1;)' '

where -r = ^•
y
128 Examples and Problems on Cubics,

Hence show that, if the angles of the triangle of reference .

are connected by the relation 2 G - A = ir, the cubic B^-ka'y=0
has three foci on the circumscribing circle.
S h o w also that the circle circumscribing the triangle
formed by three foci of the cubic 7a" 4 2/3' cos (2 C — J.) = 0
passes through a7.

300. The tangent at any point of the nodal cubic

{y 4 kz) {y + iJcz)' - x"a = 0
is one of the fourth harmonics to the three tangents from the
point to 2/' — x'z = 0.
Writing x = 9y'm.y^ — ofz, the coordinates of the Intersec-
tion of the tangents at 9, 9' are
x = l99'{9+9'), y = l{9' + 9" + 99'), a = l.
Hence i i 9 - 9 ' = c, w e have x = \99'{9+ 9'), cy = ^ {9"- 9"),
a
d z = { 9 — 6'y; whence, eliminating ^ ,
{y 4 kz) {y + 4fe)" - x'z = 0, where k = - 12c".
N o w the tangent to this curve is easily seen to meet a on
the line 2 (^ 4 ^') x - {&' + 9" + i99') y = 0, and the tangents
to 2/" — ofz = 0 meet a on the lines
2 x - 3 % = 0, 2x-36''.y = 0, 2x + 3 { 9 + 9')y = 0;
and these four lines form a harmonic system.
The tangents to the three curves of the system
{y 4 kz) {y + ikz)' - x'z = 0,
which pass through a point, are evidently the three fourth
harmonics.

301. The polar equation of the clssoid, referred to its

double focus, can be written t a n i ^ = -^^^ ^
 Examples and Problems on Cubics, 129

If J? be the perpendicular on the tangent, and p the r

of curvature,
, 9a"(r"-a") {r'- d f {r'+ lba')i
•^ ~ r 4 15a" ' ^ ~ 48a''

302. The cubic, whose equation in rectangular coordi-

nates is
{V4 d){y 4 b) x" - {f + d) {(a"-b'-c^)y + b (a"4 &"4 c")} = Q,
has two foci on itself, viz. x = ±a,y = b.
The lines joining these foci to the points x = ±c,y = 0 are
tangents to the curve.

^ 303. The triangle of reference being equilateral, th

equation
a (;S'+ 7') +/3 (7'+ a') + 7 (a'+/S") - a/37 = 0
represents a cubic of which the vertices of the triangle are
foci. Transforming this equation to rectangular axes by
writing
a = l{x + y >j3)-a, j3 = i_(x-2/V3)-a, 7 = -(a4a;),
we find x' -3xy'- fa (x" 4 y') - bd = 0.

304. The cubic whose equation to rectangular axes is

x' - p {of + y') + q x - r = 0,
being the envelope of the circle
p{x'' + y')-{q + 3t^)x + r+2p? = 0,
has four foci determined by the equation
27 {px' - r y - i {2px - qf = 0.
If<f= ipr, two of the foci coincide at the point 2^x = 2',
and the square of thfe distance of any point of the curve from
this focus is in a constant ratio to the cube of its distance from
afixedline.
s
130 Examples and Prdblems on Cubics.

305. A cubic is such that two asymptotes meet on the

curve; ii A , B be two fixed and P a variable point on the

curve, show that -74^ = 1, where d, d' are the segments

' a a
intercepted on the two asymptotes by P A , P B , and X and p,
^re constants.

306. Two asymptotes of a cubic are at right angles to

one another; if a perpendicular to the other asymptote, at
the point where it meets the curve, intersect the cubic again
in A , B , show that the locus of the centre of the nine-point
circle of the triangle P A B is a hyperbola, P being a variable
point on the curve.

307. If the cubic whose polar equation is r^ cos 39 = a' be

inscribed in a triangle so that the points of contact lie on a
line, the pole of the curve is one of the points of contact of
the nine-point circle.with-the circles touching the sides.
T h e polar conic of the line ax + by + cz = 0 with respect
to the cubic x^ + y^+ z^ = 0 ia
• a'yz 4 b'zx + dxy = 0;
It therefore circumscribes the triangle xyz. N o w let X, y
pass through the circular points and a be the line at infinity,
when the cubic becomes f cos39 = (f. Then, since the polar
conic of a line touches the tangents to the curve where it is
met by the line, it follows that one of the circles touching
these tangents passes through the pole.
Again, when the cubic is written in the form
ABG-BfE^O,
where A , B , G are the tangents to the curve at its points
of intersection with B , it is evident that the polar conic of
the point B F circumscribes the triangle A B C . But the
 Examples and Problems on Cubics. 131

polar conic of any point with regard to the curve f cos 3^ =

Is an equilateral hyperbola having the pole for centre. Hence
the nine-point circle of the triangle A B C passes through the
pole of the curve.
W e can show that the nine-point circle passes through the
pole otherwise thus: If a conic 2 have A B C for a self-,
conjugate triangle and touch B where it is met by F, the
result of substituting difierential symbols In 2 and operating
on ^ P ( 7 — P " P vanishes; but such a conic for the cubic
x^ + y^+ z^ = 0 must be of the form
fp,v 4 gvX 4 ^Xp. = 0,
or for the curve rlcos39 = d must be a parabola having the
pole for focus. N o w the nine-point circle of a triangle self-
conjugate with regard to a parabola passes through the focus;
therefore &c.

308. The locus of the poles with regard to the cubic

f7=x'4/4a'= 0
of the tangents to the conic
2 H (aX 4 &/* 4 cv)' - Xyti = 0
breaks up into the .factors
ax" 4 by' + cz' ± x y = 0,
and these two conies intersect TJ at the points where its
tangents touch 2. If z is the line at infinity and x, y pass
through the circular points, the polar equation of the curve
m a y be written p' cos39 = a^, and w e see that If six tangents
to the curve be touched by the circle
{x-x'r + {y-y'r-r'=o,
the points of contact will lie on the conic
(r 4 x ' ) x ' + { r - x ) y ' - 2y'xy- a' = 0.
132 Examples and Problems on Cubics-

W h e n the conic and the circle touch one a^ .Je find

evident that they will both touch the curve,
the condition that the circle should touch
equating to zero the discriminant of the equa"°
r^X'- {x"- 3x'y"-d + r {x" + y") -2f] X'

+ {2dr + {x" 4 y" - r^} ^ - «' ^"'" "^ ^" ~ "'^ " ^'
W h e n this equation has three equal roots the circle oscu-
lates the cubic.

309. If the normal at a point P of the curve

x'-3x?/'-a' = 0

meet one of the lines / - 3xy = 0 in Q, show that

(S-2r)(8 4r)" = a',
where r = P Q , and 8 is the distance of Q from the origin.
If (?,, Q^, Q^ be the points corresponding to the three
lines, show that

PQ^ + PQ, + PQ, •

310. Show that the six lines represented by the equation

xt 4 ?/* 4 (ax 4 % ) * = 0
are tangents to both the cubics
(ex - bzf - {cy 4 aa)' 4 a' = 0,
x' 4 2/' 4 a' - 3xyz - {ax 4 byY = 0.
/-ff! , Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 133

leJ^-ay^^ Ct^^C-*^ J-i^ i^c^e*^ ,-)U-. jfji_^ kfJy-,^ M'd^

^ /??^,
III. Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics.

311. To find the points on a bicircular quartic from which

the tangents have their points of contact on a conic;
Let us write the quartic
, U = off 4 a" (ax" 4 b f 4 cz' + 2fyz + 2gzx + 2hxy) = 0,
where a is the line at infinity and' xa, yz are the circular
points, and let F be the polar cubic of a point (x', y , a') on
TJ. N o w if six points of intersection of a quartlc and a cubic
lie on a conic, the remaining six points of intersection must
also. Thus when the points of contact of the six tangents
lie on a conic, the remaining points of intersection of TJ and F
must also ; but these latter points are the point x', y, z' and
the nodes xa, yz, each counted twice over. Hence a conic
can be described so as to touch F at each of these points, or
a circle whose centre is the double focus of F must touch the
curve at x , y, z'.
W e m a y express this condition by substituting the coordi-
nates of the double focus of F in the equation of the normal
at x', y', a'. N o w the tangents to F at xa, yz are
xx' 4 bzz' = 0, yy + azz' = 0,
and the intersection of these tangents is the^ double focus;.
also the normal to U at x', y, z is
/ < •\ d V , , ,, d U '

hence we have, after dividing by a and dropping the accents,.

xy {fy -ffd) 4 hz {ax' - by') + a" {qfx - bgy) = 0,
which represents a circular cubic Intersecting the quartic in
.eight points satisfying the given condition.
134 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quai'tics.

^^f=9 = h = 0, the quartic becomes an ellipse of Cassini,

and the cubic vanishes identically. Hence w e see that the
points of contact of the tangents from every point of this curve
lie on a conic. ^ V a ; a ^ S ^ f\ 'tixJ^ (2/T^-6« ^^
312. The equation of the quartlc being tbe same as in the
preceding example, show that the locus of a point, whose
polar cubic has its double focus on itself, is the circular cubic
hz (ax" 4 b f - 2abz') + 3a' (a/x 4 bgy)
— xy {gx +fy) + 2{ab — c) xyz = Q.
If P be an arbitrary point, and P' the double focus of the
polar cubic of P, show that O P and O P ' are equally inclined
to FF', and that O P . O P ' = 0 F \ where F, F ' are the double
foci of the quartic, and 0 is the middle point of FF'.

313. The equation of the quartic being the same as before,

the locus of the double foci of the polar cubics of every point
on the curve is the bicircular quartic
coff - 2xyz {afx + bgy) + abz' {ax' + by' + abz' + 2hxy) = 0.
This locus is identical with the given quartic,'\{f = g = 0,
c = ab. Hence the double focus of the polar cubic of any
point on the quartic
{of 4 bz') {f 4 az') + 2hxyz' = 0
lies on the curve.

314. A bicircular quartic has a finite node; to find the

locus of the points from which the tangents have their points
of contact on a conic.
Let us write the quartic
TJ-B x'y' 4 y'z' + z'x' + 2xyz {ax + by + cz),
where xz, yz are the circular points and ocy is thefinitenode,
and let F be the polar cubic of x', y', a'.
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 135

Then since the points of contact of the tangents He on a

cpnic, another conic can be described through the vertices
of the triangle xyz to touch F at these points, or the normal
to F at xy must pass through thodouble focus of F. This
condition gives ?
(a - be) X {f - a'-) 4 (6 - cd) y (a" - x") 4 (c - ab) z {of - / ) = 0,
which represents a circular cubic having Its double focus on
itself. " • ~
It is evident that this cubic intersects the quartic in points
such that the anharmonic ratio of the tangents from them is
a m a x i m u m or a minimum.

315. If, In the preceding example, a = & = c = 0, the

quartic becomes a lemniscate and the points of contact of the
tangents from any point to the curve lie on a conic.
W e proceed tofindthe equation of this conic. If w e form
the contravariant a (Salmon's Curves, Art. 292) of the quartic

Now, if we put "'^ T ' /?7'

a = yz — zy , /8 = ax' —xa', y = xy'—yod '
in 0-, the result must be proportional to the invariant 8 of the
biquadratic in k obtained by putting x4^a;', &c. for x, &c.
in TJ= 0. Thus w e obtain the identity
1 2 { V ' U - P V ) + Q ' = {{yd- zy'y + {zx' -xz'y + {xf -yx')'}',
where
F = x'x {f + a") j- y'y (a" 4 x") 4 a'a (x" 4 f ) ,
P b x ' {y" + z") x + f{z" + x") y + z' {x" +y")z,
Q = {y" 4 z") x" 4 {z" 4 x") f + {x" + y") a"
4 iy'z'yz + iz'x'zx + ix'y'xy.
136 Examples and Prdblems on Bicircular Quartics.

Hence, putting TJ= F= 0, we see that the points of contact

of the tangents from x', y, z' to the curve lie on the conic
{y"+ z") x'+ {z"+ x") f + {x"+y")z'+y'z'yz+z'x'zx+oiiy'xy=0,
the factor f d y z 4 z'x'zx + x'y'xy
being rejected as irrelevant.
The discriminant of this conic is proportional to
{x" + y" + z"){x"y" + y"z" + z"x").
Taking the case when x'" 4 y" 4 z" = 0, the conic breaks up
into the lines
xx' 4 9yy + &'zz' = 0, xx' 4 9i'yf + 9zz' = 0,
where ^ is a cube root of unity. These two lines touch the
conies
x " 4 ^ " / 4 6'a" = 0, a;"4 6'/4 6l"a"=0,

and intersect each other at the point -;, —,, —.on U.

'• x y z
If w e write the lemniscate in polar coordinates
r" = 2c" cos 29,
w e see that if tangents be drawn to the curve from any point
of the equilateral hyperbola 2r'cos29 = d, their points of
contact will lie on two lines which intersect on the curve and
touch the equilateral hyperbolas

2>-'cosf26l-f (...^')=c..

316. From the identity in the preceding example w e see

that the polar line of any point {x, y, a'] meets the curve
at its points of intersection with the conies
xyz 4y'zx + z'xy = 0, y'z'yz + z'x'zx + x'y'xy = 0.
Hence the tangent at ad, y', a' meets the curve* again at its
intersection with
xyz 4 y'zx + z'xy = 0.
>^/y^^.' Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 137

317. If a point lie on one of the conies ^ c.,^-y^:Xi^^t~

x'+9f+0'z' = O, x'+e'y'+9z' = 0,
show that the invariant /S of its polar cubic with regard to
a?y' 4 y'z' + z'x' = 0 vanishes.
If a point lie on of +y' + z' = 0, show that the Invariant T
of its polar cubic vanishes (see Ex. 218).

318. Four points on the quartic x'y'+ y'z'+ z'x'= 0, lie /

on the line ax 4 yS?/ 4 7a = 0; the tangents at these points 1
meet the curve again In eight points lying on the conic |
- a V 4 /3V 4 7 V - 2 (a" 4 /3" 4 7") {8'yy^ + l^-zx + a/Sxjr)
4 8a/37 {ayz + ^zx + yxy) = 0.
The discriminant of this conic is A ..|^ * /'^
a"/3"7" {(a" 4 /3" 4 7 T - 27a"/3V} = a"/3V '^ ^'" ^'
multiplied by the tangential equation of the curve, as it
ought to be.

319. To find an expression for the angle, of aberrancy 8

(Salmon's Curves, Art. 407) at any point of a bicircular
quartic.
Taking the tangent and normal at the point as axes of
coprdinates, the equation of the curve may be written
Z7= (x" 4 f f 4 (Zx 4 my) (x" 4 y') 4 ax" 4 bf 4 2hxy 4 2j^ = 0;
and then the conic
dx' 4 b'y' 4 2hxy 4 2fy = 0
is easily seen to have four point contact with the curve at the
origin, if a = a', h = ha — If, f = af.
The line drawn from the origin to the centre of this conic

is dx +{ha — lf)y = 0; whence tan8 = ^—. Now if we

T
138 Examples and Prdblertis on Bicircular Quartics.

express the condition that the circle x' + y' — 2ry = 0 should
touch the curve again, w e obtain
{ar + f ) {if 4 2mr' + br + f ) - r' {Ir + hy = 0;

and (p - r,) (p - rj (p - r^) (p - rj = ^, ^^ _ ^^^ ,

where r^, r^, r^, r^ are the radii of the four circles which m a y
be described through the origin to have double contact with
f •
the curve, and p = — — is the radius of curvature at the
' '^ a
origin. Hence
„ „ . = - ( £ - : ) (.-,)(.-,)(^_:).
Now if the quartic be considered as the envelope of a
circle whose centre moves along the conic

p=^4f;-i=o,
a b
and which cuts orthogonally the circle
J=x' + f-2ax-2^y + k' = 0,
w e obtain the equation of the curve in the form
(x" 4 2^" - h'y - i d (x - a)" - 45" (2/ - /3)" = 0,
or /S" — P Q = 0, showing that the points of contact of the
double tangents P Q He on the circle 8. Since the quartlc
can be generated thus In four ways, it foUows that 8 is one
of four concentric circles. If w e write n o w
(a;" 4 f y 4 (Ix + my) {of + f) + ax' + by' + 2hxy + 2fy ^
= {x' + y' + \{lx+my) + X}'-PQ,
w e must have
8=x'+y'-\-\{lx + m y ) + X,
P Q = X' + X {Ix 4 m y ) 4-2X (x" + f ) + l { l x + m y y
- {ax', 4 by' + 2hxy + 2fy).
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 139

But if x'+y' — 2ry = 0 touch the curve again,.we know

that It must cut /orthogonally, or, If J=x'+y'-2x:x-2yy+d,
we must have d = 2rf. N o w J cuts 8 orthogonally, therefore
i (?x' 4- m y ) + c' 4 X = 0, and the point P Q is the centre of J,
whence X"4 iX {Ix' + my') =fy', EHminating Ix + my' and d,
we obtain - 2»-X =/. N o w / Is the value of

^ m < - m
at the origin, and this function is independent of the axes to
which the curve Is referred; also X = p" — k', where p is the
distance of the origin from the centre of F, and k is the
radius of 8, Hence
J\' fdUf)
— i
-K

dx) \dy j )
r. = l

r^ = &c.
^ (dUf fdU\'. ^ ^ , -,.
W e can express [-j-)+[-y~j "i terms of the distances
P'li P25 Pa) Pi °^ ^^^ origin from four concyclic foci
the condition that x + i y - p = 0 should touch the curve,
we get
{m' -r- + i{a-h)+ 2i {Im - ih)]p''+...+ 4/' = 0;
therefore
4f
PiF^PzPi-m'-P+i{a-b)+2i{Im-ih) ?
' 1 A/*
•1 2 2 2 2 ^/
Pi P2 Pa Pi = (^^ _ ^' 4 4a - ib)' + i{lm- ihy'
140 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics.

Now from the expression for PQ given above we can

deduce that
I m ' - V + i a - i b f + i{lm- ihf = 168*,
where 8 is the distance between the double foci of the curve.
Hence we have/= 8 ^(PiPgPgPi), and

(f)'-(f)'-^>-^-.'-
,dy

320. Putting 2/ = 0 in the equation

U = (x" 4 y'y 4 {lx + my) (x" 4 f ) 4 ax' + b f + 2hxy + 2fy = 0,
we get, after dividing by x", x'+lx+a = 0, whence

d' = l'-ia = - 16(P'-V)(P'-\')(P'-V)(P'-V) ^

^'PAPaP*
where d is the length of the segment which the tangent
intercepts on the curve.
For the central bicircular quartlc
(x" + f + k'f - 4 {dx' + b'y') = 0,
we find
4 (p* - U ) (p" + k'- 2d) (p" 4 k'- 2b')
d^=-
{d 4 b' - ¥ ) {p" 4 k^) - 2 > * - k'd - k'b' 4 2a"6") p"'
where p is the distance of the point on the curve from the
centre. For the ellipse of Cassini

{a? + y'y-2f{x'-y')+k^ = 0, ^= 2 ^^^^ V^jf^" "'^l

When k=0, this curve becomes a lemniscate, and

d='^^[d-r%
which is a maximum, when c* = 3r*.
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 141

For the Cartesian .pval, since the distance between the

double foci must vanish, w e have
r-m'-i{a-b) = 0, lm-ih = 0;
and if the curve be written in the form
{x' + f-k'y-d{x-m)=0, d = ?,{k'-r'),
where r is the distance of the point on the curve from the
triple focus.

321. W h e n the origin is a point of inflexion on the quartic

U = {of 4 y'y 4 {Ix 4 m y ) (x" + y') + ax' + by' + 2hxy 4 2fy = 0,
a vanishes, and then d'=V, But V = l&cf, where q Is the
length of the perpendicular from the centre of the focal conic
on the normal, or when the curve is written
• (x" 4 2/" - ^ T - 4:a'(x - a)" - 45" (2/-/3)" = 0,
i\{a'-b')xy+b'Bx-a'ay]

Hence, the points of inflexion, when the curve is written

in the latter form, must satisfy the equation
(p"-A/)(p"-V)(p"-^3')(p"-V)4l6{(a"-5")x2/46"/3x-a'a2/}"=0,
which m a y be combined with the equation of the curve so
as to give a quartlc passing through the circular points
at infinity.
For the Cartesian oval K /
{x' + f-k'y-d{x-m)=0,
the points of inflexion He on the circular cubic ^ '
16F (x - m ) {x'+ y' - k') 4 d (9x"+ 3y'- 2 i m x + 16m=

322. The area which the tangent at a point P of a

bicircular quartlc cuts off from the curve is a m a x i m u m
or a minimum, show that the normal to the curve at P
passes through the centre of the focal conic.
142 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics,

323. If A , B he the points in which the tangent at a

point P of the lemniscate r' = 2c" cos 2^ meets the curve again,
and 8 be the area which the chord A B cuts off from the
curve, w e have evidently
d8=i{PA'-PB')dcl>,
where (p is the angle which the tangent makes with a fixed
line. But (see E x , 320)

PA + PB=iq = i'j^,
where ^ is the perpendicular from the node on the tangent,
and

P A - P B = -^,'^{d-r%
{Ex, 320); therefore

d8=-^>^{d- r') dp = -^^ {d - r'f,

G C
since f = 2 d p for the lemniscate. Hence, integrating, w e
{d - r^)i.
have 8 = f-^, adding no constant, as 8 must vanish
c
with the segment A B ,
324. A tangent to the lemniscate r" = 2c'cos25 meets
the curve again in A , B ; the locus of the middle point of
^ P i s r " = 2c"cosi(26').
If ^ he the angle which A B subtends at the node,'

cos i> = —,.

^ d
325. To find die locus of the centre of gravity of art, arc
iof the lemniscate which is of given length.
Let »""=a"cos2^ be the polar equation of the curve,

then, if ds be the element of the arc, ds = —r, ^. \ and,

' V(cos2p) ' '
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics, 143

if X, y he the rectangular coordinates of the centre of gravity

of an arc of length I,
Jxds a' r^i „ . d, . a . „.
'^ 'Jd^ = J Jg^cos^(^^ = - ( s m ^ , - s m ^ J ,

and y = -7 (cos9^ — cos9^; therefore

sin"i {9,- 9,) = -l, (X"4 f), tani. {9, + 9^)=^.

4a'^ • •^^' —=^'^-1 ' 2 ' x
N o w , by the theory of elliptic functions, when
d9
ffli d9 [B, d9
r». d9 ^ ^
I -rr TTFT — -T, JTTTV = ^ COUStaut,
J„ V(cos2e) j„ V(cos26l) '
we have m cos 9^ cos 9^ + n sin 9^ sin ^^ = 1,
where m and n are constants connected by the relation
m' + n' = 2, Hence, the equation of the locus is
4a*
{m 4 n) {x' + y y = ^ {{m - 1 ) x" 4 (« - 1) 2^"}.
326. A variable lemniscate r" = a cos2^ 4 5 sin20 touches
the Cassinian oval r* —2c"r"cos2^ —A* = 0; to show that it
cuts off a constant area from the Cassinian
/-2c"r"cos2(9-F = 0,
where k'<k.
Let 8 he the area cut off by the lemniscate from the
curve r' = (}){9), then

8 = ^1 ' {acoa29 + bam29-(}>{9)}d9,

J flj
where 9^, 9^ are two roots of the equation
a cos20 4 5 sin 20 - ^ (6") = 0.
Hence, if 8 remain constant while a and b vary, w e
must have
( ' {da cos26' 4 db B m 2 9 ) d9 = 0,
144 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics,

as the terms outside the sign of integration vanish by the

condition given above. Performing the integration and
dividing by sin {9^-9^, w e obtain
da cos {9^ 4 9^ + db sin {9^ + (9J = 0.
But it is evident that If w e seek the point of contact of
the lemniscate with its envelope, w e have
da cos20 4 db a m 2 9 = 0;
hence 2 9 = 9 ^ +9^, or the radius vector to the point of contact
of the lemniscate with its envelope bisects the angle between
the radii vectores to the two points of Intersection with the
curve r' = <p{d).
Let us now seek the intersection of the lemniscate with
the Cassinian oval
r^-2c'r'cos29-k!^ = 0.
W e find
{ a + b i a n 2 9 y - 2 f {a + b tan25') - ^'*(1 4tan"^) = 0,

whence tan2 (0,4 ^J =,#^^,

which being independent. of k', the truth - of the theorem

becomes evident.

327. If r be the radius vector and p the perpendicular

from the origin on the tangent, to find the relation between
p and *• for the quartic
{x' + f + iey-i{dx' + b'y')=0.
The conic 9'+ 9 {x' + f + k') + a'x' + b'f = 0
touches the quartic, and the points of contact lie on the circle
of + y' + ld + 29 = 0.
N o w when we are given a conic
2 2
X y
—1- — = 1
a" ^ yS" '
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics, 145

. 1 1 1 r"
wehave _ = _ + _ _ _ ;

hence, in this case,

1 _ _ (g" 4 5'4 261) _ {d'+ 9) {¥ + 9) f
p' 9{9 + k') ff'{9 + k'y '
butfromthe circle 29 = - {k' + r');
,, „ k' ia'b' id'b"
therefore -:, = -r-^—j^t^ — 7-=—y^,,
p' {r' + k'Y {r' - k'y '
where a" = d-k', V' = b'-k'.
In a similar rnanner we canfinda relation between p and
r for the Cartesian oval
{of + f - 2 a x + h j - id (x' 4y') = 0,
where the origin is a focus, by considering the curve as the
envelope of the circle
p." {x' + y') + p- {x'+f - 2ax 4 If) + d = 0.
W e have from this circle

p,{p.+ l)^'P\/\{p, + iy yL6(yu4l)J'

and, since the points of contact lie on p,'{of + y') — d' = 0,
we have w = —; hence

f-k'
2p = '

W e can alsofindthe relation between p and r for the

Cartesian oval when the origin is the triple focus, by con-
sidering the curve as the envelope, of the circle
p? + 2p.{x' + f-U') + d { x - m ) = 0.
U
146 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics.

328. F, F' are the double foci of the quartic

(x" 4 f 4 k'y - 4 {a'x' + b'y') = 0;
if the normal at a point Q of the curve meet the axis of y
in P, and a parallel through 0 to F P meet the axis of x
in Q, then

0,Q = -*/{d-Jf).
c
If the normal at x', y' meet the axis of y in 0, ^, we have
o_ •2c"2/' ' .. c'f
'^~x" + y" 4 k' - 2d ~ >^{dd' - dy")'
since the equation of the curve may be written
{x" + f + k'- 2a'y 4 iff = ia'af,
where a'" = a' - k'.

Hence, if P P P ' = 9, cf = ad sin 0, and 0 § = — .

c
Also P e = x ' - c 4 — c o s 5 = i((?-OP'),

where a' + b'- k' = d';

and since the curve can be written
(OF' - cZ") (OF" - d ) = ib' {b' - k'),
we have

. FQ.F'Q' = -,{b'-k').
c
The circle
{x' + f - d - a " ) cosi{9,+ 9;)

4 2cy sini (^i + ^2) - 2aa' cosi (^1 - ^2) = <>

evidently passes through the two points 0„ 9^ on the curve.
Hence the line bisecting at right angles the chord 0^, 9^
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 147

meets the axis oiy at the point 2/' = —c tani (0,4^2), from
which it readily follows that any line meets the curve so that
the sum of the angles ^,, &c. is equal to 0 or 2m7r.

329. The quartic

(x^ + y' + k'y - 4 (a"x" 4 b'f) = 0,
being written in the form

\if+{x-c')-d']{if+{x + ey-d^\ = l,{b'-k'),

where dP = d + b'-Tf, d = a'-d',

the cu-cle 8 having double contact with the curve, where
S ^ x ' + y'- 2ax cos ^ - 2by sin ^ + Je' = 0,
cuts off constant arcs from the circles
f+{x±cy-d' = 0.
For the chord of intersection of 8 and y' + {x — cy — ^ = 0
is (a eos^ -c)x + b8va(}>y-b' = 0, and the perpendicular on
this line from c, 0 is equal to a.

330. If p, p he the distances of a point P on the same

curve from the double foci, w e have

(p"-t?)(p'^-cf) = ^;(5"-A"),

and, therefore,
pdp pdp'
ds ds ^

Now, if the tangent at P meet the polars of P with

regard to the circles p" — J" = 0, p" - tZ" = 0 in .4, P, w e have

^^- pv '
ds
148 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics.

from which it follows that the portion of the tangent

intercepted between these two lines is bisected at the point
of contact.

331. Let
8 = o f + f ^ 2ax cos ^ - 2 b y m \ . ^ + Tf = 0
be a circle having double contact with the quartic
{of 4 f 4 k') - 4 {d'x' 4 b'f) = 0,
then if w e form the discriminant oi 8 + X P Q , where
P Q = {d - k') x" 4 {¥ - k') f = 0
represents two double tangents of the curve, w e obtain
a' coa'cf) b' sin'tjb 7.3 _ n
l + X{d-k') ^ l+X{b'-k')~ '
or (1 - Xk') {Xa"b'' + a" cos"0 4 b" sln"^) = 0,
if w e write
d - j f = a", b'-k' = b".

Taking the value X = ,p, w e see that two chords of

intersection of 8 and P Q are

(a* - k' cos 0)" + ( b y - l f sin c^)" = 0.
These two Jlines are parallel to the double tangents
a"x"4 5 y = 0,
and Intersect on the conic a"x"4 b'f = If. If w e take the value
{d'cos'^ + b" ain'cji)
a%" '
the two chords of intersection are
X cos (ji ij am<j) fab' T ba'\
—tt— + ; 1- 1 — — s — = 0.
b a \ c' J
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 149.

If 20 be the angle which one of these chords subtends

the centre of 8, we find
„ ad T bb'
cos 9 = • c"
Since one of these chords touches the conic

a"x' + b"f = "^{ab' + bd)',

whose asymptotes are a"x'+b"y' = 0, we see that the q

can be generated as the envelope of a circle described through
the points where a tangent to an hyperbola meets the
asymptotes, so that the angle subtended by these points at
the circumference is given.

332. If we write
U = (x" + f + k'y - 4 {a'x' 4 b'f),
8~x'+y'-2ax-2l3y + f, 8 = x' + f + 2ax + 2^y + f,
we have
88'- U = f - k ' + 2{t'-k') {x'+y')-i{ax+^yy+i{a'x'+b'f),
from which It foUows that any circle 8 meets Z7In four points
which lie on a concentric conic. Hence, being given four
concycUc points on a bicircular quartic with a centre, the
locus of the centre coincides with the locus of the centres of
conies through the same points, viz: the equilateral hyperbola
which passes through the middle points of all the lines
joining the given points. This quartic is determined by
six conditions, and when we are given four points, the curve
wifl stIU contain two arbitrary parameters. Thus the quartic
may have a node or become an ellipse of Cassini, a,nd
the locus of the centre of either of these curves, when we are
given four concycHc points, is the equilateral hyperbola
determined above.
150 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics.

^ If we write
V = ax' 4 by' + 2gx + 2fy + c,
8=x'+f-k',
it can be easily seen that the equation

*{(«+5¥s)" + (^+FfJ-''-^^-^''''-'''
where 9 and X are arbitrary parameters, represents any
central bicircular quartic passing through the intersection

of 8 and F. The coordinates of the centre are —'—\, , , a •

a + 9' 0+9'
If the curve Is an eUipse of Cassini TJ, the centre must 'batisfy
the equation
d?U dU „
1 = 0•
dx' ^ df '
and then if a 4 5 = 0, or F is an equilateral hyperbola, we
get X9 = 2k'.
Thus the equation

-{(-^)^(.^^J^4-f'-»
represents a system of Cassinian ovals passing through the
intersection of 8 and F.
If w e compare this equation with

{(x-x')"4 (2^-2/71 {('«-*T + (2/-2/T} -d' = 0,

w e have, to determine the double foci

a;»_,,^4. 221__Ml , ^'_o .V.,,. ay , > ..

£^4a If — a o " 0+ a 9—a '
whence, ehminating 9, w e obtain
{axy + gy -fx) (x" 4 y') + J^axy = 0.
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 151

333. If the conic

ax" 4 by' + 2hxy + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0
pass through four concyclic points on the bicircular quartic
(x" 4 2/')' - 2ax" - 2fy' + A* = 0,

tbeconic iy^x'+^-^^^^^Mf+fl:Z^ = 0
f 9 h,
has quartic contact with the curve. 'This readily follows
from the fact that if Z7 be a conic having quartic contact
with the curve, any conic having double contact with U
meets the curve in eight points which lie on two circles.

334. A circle of given radius passes through a fixed

pouit F, and an equal • circle through a fixed point F ;
if the sum or difference of the arcs F P , F ' P he given,
where P is a point of intersection of the circles, show that
the locus of P is a central bicircular quartic of which F, F '
are foci.

335. Show that the quartics

{x' + f + k'y- id'xy = 0, (x" 4 f - k'y - i d (x" - f ) = 0,
cut each other orthogonally.

336. If ;8i, 8^, 8^, 8^ be four bicircular quartics having

five points in common, the equation

iA + KS,+'iA+hS,=^
represents any bicircular quartic passing through these five
points. Comparing this equation with 8 8 ' — L = 0, where
8, 8' are circles whose centres are the double foci, and L is
a Hne, w e determine the double foci by the equations
4 {x,x^-y,y.}, ^ 1 = ^ 1 {a-b), 2 (x,2/,4y,x^) 2? = ^Ih,
{x, + xJ 2Z = 22Za, (y, 4 y,) 2Z = 22Z/3,
152 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics.

where
8, = (x" 4 y'y - 4 (a,x 4 /3,2/) (a;" 4 f ) 4 a,x" 4 b,f
+ 2\xy + 2g,x+2fy + c„
8,= &c.
Hence, eHminatbg Z„ l^, l^, l^, w e obtam a result of the
form
A {xpo-y^y^) +H{xjj,^+y,x^ + G{x^ + x^) + F [ y , + y ^ + G = 0 ,

which shows that the double foci are conjugate with respect
to the fixed equilateral hyperbola
J. (x" - 2/") 4 2ac2/4 2 (?x 4 2P2/+ <7 = 0.
W h e n the double foci coincide, the quartic becomes a
Cartesian oval; and thus w e see that this equilateral hyperbola
is the locus of the triple foci of all the Cartesian ovals passing
through thefivepoints.
For a bicircular quartic U with a centre, tlje centre,
in addition to the equations, x 2 Z = 2 Z a , 2/SZ = 2Z/3, satiffies

dx ' dy
of such quartics which pass through five fixed points is a
curve of the fourth order passing through the circular points
at infinity.
In the same w a y the equation IA -^\^2 + \ 8 ^ = 0, where
8^,fij,8^ have six points in common, represents a system of
bicircular quartics passing through sixfixedpoints. If one, of
the quartics reduce to a conic, the six points will lie on
a conic, and the centres of the focal conies of the system wQl
lie on a right line. W h e n the quartic breaks up into two
circles, the centre of the focal conic is the middle point of the
line joining their centres; hence w e obtain the theorem
of E x . 123.
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quptrtics. 153

337. Writing the equation of a bicircular quartlc in

the form 8 8 — L = 0, w e see that any circle 2 meets the
quartlc at four points of its intersection with the conic
{8-^){8'-^)-L = 0.
N o w the asymptotes of this conic are parallel to fi'—2 = 0,
jS" — 2 = 0, and these lines are perpendicular to the lines
joining the centre of the circle to the double foci. Hence,
since the chords pf intersection of a conic and a circle are
equally Inclined to an axis of the conic, w e see that a pair
of chords of intersection of a circle and a bicircular quartic
are equally Inclined to the bisectors of the angle between
the lines drawn from the centre of the circle to the double
foci.

338. To show that a line meets a bicircular quartic at

angles the sum of whose cotangents is equal to zero.
If w e take an arbitrary, point for origin and draw any
line through the origin to meet the curve, it is evident that
the continued product of the four radii vectores is constant.
dr
Hence, differentiating, since —rn = cot^, w e have 2 cot0 = 0.
W e can arrive at this result otherwise thus: Let us write
the curve
{of+y'y+ {Ix + my) {x'+f) + aof+by'+2hxy+2gx+2fy+c=0,
then If the line Is the axis of x, and f{x) is the result of
putting ^ = 0 in the equation of the curve, the equation of
the tangent at the point (x,, 0) is
(x - x J / (xJ 4 y {mxy + 2hx^ 4 2/) = 0;
{mxy + 2hx, + 2f)
whence cot 6", = —-jr,—^ i
f (a'l) •
and, therefore, 2 cot 0 = 0.
154 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics.

We have also 2x cot0 = - m = if, where f is the ordinate

of the centre of the focal conies, from which it follows that,
if (? be the centroid of the four points in which the normals
intersect a perpendicular to the line, a parallel to the line
through G wIU pass through the centre of the focal conic.
If the line is a tangent to the curve, the sum of two
cotangents is replaced by 2 cot 8, where 8 is the angle which
the axis of aberrancy,makes with the curve.
Hence, if the tangent at a point P of the quartic meet
the curve again in A , B , and if the line joining the middle
point of A B to the intersection of the tangents at A and B
meet the perpendicular from the centres of the focal conic
on the tangent In G, then the axis of aberrancy at P passes
through C.
B y inversion w e see that a circle meets a bicircular
quartlc at angles the sum of whose * cotangents is equal to
zero.

339. To draw through a point on a bicircular quartic a

circle to meet the curve again at the vertices of an equilateral
triangle.
Taking the point on the curve as origin and the axes
passing through the circular points at infinity, the equation
of the curve m a y be written
ofy' 4 xy {Ix + m y ) + aof + by' + 2hxy + 2gx + 2fy = 0,

and xy—ay — ^x = 0 represents a circle through the origin

whose centre is a, /8. Forming the equation of the fines
which join the origin to the points where the circle meets
the curve again w e have
{ay 4 /Sx)^' 4 {ay 4 /Sa;)" {Ix + m y )

' +{'^y + ^x) {ax' 4 by' + 2hxy) + 2xy {gx +fy) = 0.

 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 155

Now if the coefficients of ofy and xy' in this equation

vanish, these three lines will be paraUel to the sides of an
equilateral triangle; thus w e have
3a"/3 4 la' + 2ma/3 + b ^ + 2ha 4 2/= 0,
3a/3"4my3"42?a;8 + a a + 2 h ^ + 2g = 0. •
Multiplying thefirstequatipn by /3 and the second by a,
and subfracting, w e get
ma/3" - Za"y3 4 5yS" - aa" 4 2/y8 - 2^a = 0;
and, combining these three equations, w e have
(Z"-3a) a"-(m"- 35) /3"4{2hl-ma-Gg) a
- (27m - Z5 - 6/) /3 4 2 {If- mg) = 0,
which represents an equilateral hyperbola having five points
in common with the two cubics. Thus w e see that five
circles can be drawn to satisfy the given conditidns, and
that their cenfres He on an equilateral hyperbola.

340. A rectangle is inscribed in a bicircular quartic; to

find the locus of its centroid.
Taking the origin at the centre of the focal conic and the
axes passing through the circular points at infinity, the curve
m a y be written
x'y' + ax' + b f + 2hxy + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0.
Let xy — ay — ^ x + k' = 0 be the equatien of the circle
circumscribing the rectangle; then, eHminating y between
the equations of the circle and quartic, we,get
(^"4a)a;*-2(F;8 4 a a - A / 3 - ^ ) x ' 4 & c . = 0;
hence, 2x' (/S" + a) = l f P + a a - h ^ - g ,
and, similarly, 2 f (a" 4 5) = k'a 4 5/3 - Aa -/,
where x', y' are the coordinates of the centroid of the
rectangle.
156 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics.

. . But the centroid of the, rectangle coincides with the

centre of the circle; therefore
/8 {k' - 2a/3) = aa + h 8 + g, a (F - 2a^) = i^a 4 5/3 + f ,
whence, eliminating k', w e have
aa"-5/3"4^a-//3 = 0
an equilateral hyperbola which passes through the feel of the
normals which can be drawn to the curve frornthe origin.

341. By exactly the same method which we used in

E x . 255, w e can show that, if any point P of a bicircular
quartic be joined to four concyclic foci, the tangent to the
curve at P is divided in a constant anharmonic ratio by the
perpendiculars erected to the joining lines at the foci.
Also, if x" y'
' ue 1=0
2 ~ 7.2 •*• — ^
a 0
be a focal conic, and
x' + f - 2ax - 2fy + f = 0
the corresponding Jacobian circle of the quartic, a circle
having double contact with the curve m a y be written
2 = x' + y'-2a ( x - a) cos<^ - 25 {y - /3)'sin^ - f = 0;
and the envelope of the polars of P(x', y') with regard to the
circles' 2 is the conic
(xx' 4 y f - e y = a" (x 4 x' - 2a)" 4 5" {y + f - 2/3)",
which, by the mode of generation, evidently touches the four
perpendiculars, and also, as can be seen from its equation,
touches the curve at P. N o w , If a point P be joined to
four points on a circle and perpendiculars be erected at
these points to the joining Hues, w e know that these per-
pendiculars are tangents to a conic of which P Is a focus.
But the two conies, described through any point P of the
locus of thfe foci of mscribed conies to touch the sides of a
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 157

quadrilateral, cut each other at right angles at P; in fact,

tangents to these conies are harmonically conjugate with
every pair of tangents drawn from P to an inscribed conic
(Salmon's Gonics, Art. 344); and since, when P is a focus of
an inscribed conic, one of these pairs passes through the
circular points at infinity, it foUows that the tangents are
at right angles to one another. T h e two conies evidently
correspond to the two confocal quartics which pass through P,
and w e thus have a proof that two such quartics cut
orthogonally.
W e can also show that the tangent at any point P of a
bicircular quartlc is divided in a constant anharmonic ratio
by the polars of P with respect to four fixed circles of the
same system having double contact with the curve. This
ratio, it is not difficult to see, is equal to that of the pencil
joining any point on the focal conic to the centres of the
four circles.

342. To find the tangential equation of a 'conic touching

a bicircular quartic at four points on a circle.

If ^ i.,^^4|;-i=o
be a focal conic and
J, = x' + f - 2 x , x - 2 y , y + ty = 0,
the corresponding Jacobian circle of the quartic, the equation
of the curve is
{of+f- tyy-iay{x-xf-iby{y-y,y=o. _
N o w w e k n o w that the quartic can be generated in this
manner In,four ways, and that the four conies P „ F^, &c.
are confocal; hence, equating the, terms in two forms of the
equation of the curve, w e obtain the foUowIng cubic in a'
< + -iL., _ ^' = 1
a" d' — c a" - a,"
158 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartic^.

(where \ is the radius of P,) to determine the semiaxes

ttj,ttg,a^ of the three other focal conies. F r o m this equation
w e obtain
(a,"-a/)(a.'-a3")(a/-a/)
"' " "dyby '
and, by symmetry, w e have similar values for k', kf, ky; also
ty = a;' + a^ + af-ay-d.
N o w the equation
0'+9{x' + f-ty)+ay{x-x,y+by{y~y,r^ 7 = 0
represents a conic touching the quartic at four points on the
circle x' + y' + 29-ty = 0, and if w e form the condition that
the line xcosco + yslnoo—p = 0 should touch F, and arrange
according to powers of 9, w e have
0' +.,.+ayby (Xj cos w 4 2/i sin o) - p ) ' = 0;
whence 9^9^9^ = -aybypy, where 0„ 9^, 9^ are the parameters
of three conies of the system' which touch the line, and pj is
the perpendicular from the centre of /, on the line. Let us
put 9 = X'- a'y, and let r be the radius of the circle through
fhe contact of F, then
f = ty-.29 = ay 4 ay 4 ay 4a,"- c"-2X',
and 2j«.'-V)(a.'-y)(«.'-V).^

and by symmetry there are similar values for p^, p^, p^.
Eliminating X^ and X3 between these values of p „ &c.,
w e obtain

Ps , P^ 1 Pa' , P'i _o
ky (X" - ay) + ky (x" - a y ) + ky {x - af) + ky {x - «;) "'
which m a y be regarded as the tangential equation of F.
The discriminant of this equation with regard to X" will
evidently give the tangential equation of the quartic.
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 153

343. The, three ,conics of the system in the preceding

example which can be described to touch an inflexional
tangent coincide; hence, these tangents are given by the
equations
•2 { a ^ x ' f {ay-x'y ,{<-x'y {ay-x'y
P'~ afby ' P ' ~ ayby '^'~ ayby '^*~ a/5/ '

and since, as can be easily seen, 2y-a = 0, identically, X" I

given by the equation

(.a,"-X")i ^ {ay-X')i ^ {ay-X')i ^ {ay-X')i ^ ^
<^AK "'AK «AV «AV '
which when cleared of radicals is of the. twelfth degree, as
it ought to be.
If w e eliminate X" between the values of p„ p^, p^, w e
obtain
. « - a 3 " ) (a,5,i,,)t4 (a3"-a,") ( a ^ i ^ J H « - < ) (aa'^3Pa)^=0;
hence, the twelve inflexional tangents are touched by this
curve, which Is a projected form of the lemniscate, and,
therefore, of the sixth class and fourth degree. There are
of course four such curves corresponding to the four centres
of inversion.
If the tangential equation of F be written
^X'4PX*4CX"4P = 0,
the equation ^
I (P"- 3^C) 4 m {BG- dAB) +n{G'- 3BB) = 0
will represent a system of curves of the fourth class touching
the twelve inflexional tangents.

344. If the conic -

9'+9 (x" + f - ty) 4 ay {x - a,)" 4 5," {y - ^ , ) " = 0
 160 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics.

he referred to its axes, show that it can be written

XV4(X"-c")2/"4(^'-'^-)^^'-^y:<^^'^^'^-"'^ = Q,
X (X — c )
where X, a^, &c, have the same meaning as before.

345. If the two conies of the system ,

e'+9{x' + f - f ) + d{x-ay+b'{y-^f = 0, •
which pass through a point P, cut each other orthogonally
at P, show that the locus of P is the circular cubic
(o"ax 4 b'Py - da' - 5'/3") (x" 4 y')
- fa'x (x - a) - fb'y { y - p ) - a* (x - a)" -b*{y- /3)" = 0.

346. Show that the locus of the poles of a fixed line

regard to the same system of conies is a nodal cubic passing
through the four centres of inversion.

347. Show that the locus of the vertices of the same

system of conies consists of the two quartics
x' {d {x-af+b' {y-j3y}-d'x.{x- a){x'+f-t') + a\x-aY = 0,
3,"{a"(x-a)"45"(2/-y3)"} -5"y (3/- ;8)(x"42/^-1') + b'iy-^f = 0.
Show that these two curves cut each other at right angles
at the four centres of inversion.

348. If V=9'+9 (x" + f- {') + a" (x - a)» 4 5" (2^ - y

8=of + y'-f+29,
the quartic which is the envelope of F can be written
>8"-4F=0.
N o w let us transfer the origin, by parallel axes to a point
on F, and transform to polar coordinates, then, if we consider
the radius vector at the origin which touches F, the four
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 161

points where this radius vector meets the quartic will be

given by the equation
{p' + M p + N f - i { { d 4 9 ) coa'<f> + (6"49) ain'tji}p' = 0,
where p" 4 -3^p 4 iV Is the result of transforming 8, and <j> is
the angle which the radius vector makes with the axis of x.
Hence, if a, yS be the roots of the equation
p" 4 Ifp 4 N + 2V{(a" 4 9) coa'<f) + (5" 4 9) sin"^} p = 0,
and 7, 8 those of the equation
p" 4 il^p 4 N - 2>/{{d 4 9) cos"<|> 4 (5" 4 9) sin"^} p = 0,
w e have
(a 4 /8 - 7 - 8)" = 16 {(a" 4 9) coa'<f> + (5" 4 9) sitf'^}.
N o w if w e consider the three conies which can be described
to touch a given line, w e shall evidently obtain the equations
(a 4 /8 - 7 - 8)" = 16 {9, + d cos"^ 4 5" sin"^),.
(a 4 7 - ^ - 8)' = 16 {9^ + d cos"(^ 4 5" sin"^),
(a 4 8 - ^ - 7)" = 16 (03 4 a" cos"^ 4 5" sin*^))
where 0„ 0^, 03 are the parameters of the conies. Hence,
w e have
,(a-S)(^-7)=4(0.-0J,
(^-8)(7-a) = 4(03-0,), (7-8)(a-/3) = 4(0,-0,),
and 2(a-8)"(^-7)"=162(0.-0J",
2(a-8)"(/3-7)"(a-/3)(8-7)
= 64 (0,4 0, - 20J (0,4 0, - 20J (0,4 0, - 203).
Thus if a line meet the quartic in a, 5, c, d so that
'S.ad'.bd, or'SiofP.bd.db.cd,is a constant, its envelope will be a
curve of the fourth or sixth class, obtained by putting H or
G of the cubic for X" in Ex. 342 equal to a constant,

349. If a line meet the Cassinian oval

{x' 4 f y - 2c" (x" - f ) 4 /c' = 0
162 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics.

in a, 5, c, d, so that 2a(f. 5c" = d\ its envelope wiU consi

the confocal conies

p,y + p^y-c'-'^ P^y^f^y-d '

where p,y, p,y are the roots of the equation
p,' - dp,' 4 1 (c* 4 3F) - s^d' = 0.
If d vanish the line is divided equi-anharmonically by the
quartic; thus w e see that if the curve be written
x"2/"4 2/"a"4a"x"-Fa*=0,
the contravariant tr breaks up into the factors
a"4/S'4 7" + 2AV3a;S=0.

350. If a line is divided equI-anharrnonicaHy by the

quartic
{of+fy-i{a'x' + b'f) = 0,
w e can show that it touches the curve parallel to the conic
^ I f _x
3a"-5""^ 35'-a" *
at a distance equal to i V{3 (a" 4' b')}.
If a" = 35", w e see that for the curve
(x"4 2/T-45"(2/"4 3x") = 0
the contravariant a- is the product of the two circles
a;"4 2/' + 2 5 V 2 x - 5 " = 0 .

351. Eeferring to E x . 348 w e see that the absolute terms

of the two quadratics, which determine the intersection of a
tangent to the conic
Z7= 0'-F 0 (x" 4 2/" - <") 4 a" (x - a)" 4 5" (2/-/3)" = 0
with the quartic, are equal; hence oa.ob=oc.od, where o is
the point of cpntact of the tangent. If TJ befixed,w e can
find the locus of the middle points of «5 and cd. W e have
a 4 /3 - 7 - 8 = y { { d 4 0) cos"^ 4 (5" 4 9) am'<j>};
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 163

but If p. he the perpendicular from the centre of the focal

conic on the line bisecting at right angles a5 ov.cd, it can be
easily seen that^ = ± J ( a 4 / 8 — 7 — 8); therefore
/ = (a" + 0) cos"^ 4- (5" 4 9) sin"0,
from which it foUows that the lines bisecting a5 and cd at
of if
right angles are tangents to the conic —^—-x + / = 1.
a +9 0+9
N o w this conic and TJ are of the same form as the two
conies in E x . 158, and the locus of the middle points of a5
and cd is evidently the locus of the Intersection of rectangular
tangents to these two conies. Thus w e see that the locus
breaks up Into two bicircular quartics.
In the case of the central bicircular quartlc w e can arrive
at this result directly. For the perpendicular from the origin
on the tangent to the conic
0" 4 0 { x ' + f 4 k') 4 a'x' + b'f = 0
is proportional to
V{(a" 4 9) coa'(f> + (6" 4 9) sin"^},
and is, therefore, in a constant ratio to the perpendicular from
the origin pn the line bisecting a5 or cd at right angles. T h e
middle points of a5 and cd axe, then, the points where lines
drawn from the centre of a conic meet tangents to the conic
at a given angle, and this locus evidently consists of two
bicircular quartics having the origin for a node.

352. Show that the locus of the foot of the perpendicular

from the origin on a line cutting off two equal intercepts from
the quartic
{x'+f-t'Y-id{x-ay-ib'{y-^y = 0

is the equilateral hyperbola — '• (f=0.

164 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics.

353. Show that the common tangents of the conies

&' 4 0 {x' + f - f) 4 a" (x - a)" 4 5" {y - /S)" = 0,

<"-5"-30^ f - d - 3 9
are divided harmonicaUy by the quartic whose equation is
given ui the preceding example.

354. If the quartic

(x' 4 f - t'y - id (x - a)" - 45" (2/ - /3)' = 0
consist of two ovals, one wholly inside the other, two tangents
to the conic
F= 0" 4 0 (x" 4 f - f) + d { x - ay + b'{y - ,5)" = 0
will cut off from the space between the two ovals areas whose
difference can be expressed by means of logarithmic and
circular functions, the conic F being supposed tp lie wholly
within the inner oval.
Beferring to Ex. 348, we have
a « 4 7 " - / 3 " - 8 " = ( a 4 7 - ^ - 8 ) ( a 4 ^ 4 7 + 8)
= 162 •/{(«" + ^) cos"^ 4 (5" 4 0) sln"^},
where q is the perpendicular from the origin on the normal
to F at the point of contact. But if d8, d8' he elements of
the areas cut off from the space between the ovals by a
tangent to F, we have
d 8 = ^ (a" - /3") # , d S = l{h'- f ) d4>;
therefore d S - d 8 ' = \ (a" 4 7' - /3' - 8") d^
= ?,q^/{{d 4 0) cos"0 4 (5" 4 0) sin"^} d4>
= 8 V{(a' + 9) cos"^ 4 (5" 4 0) sin"^} dp,
where p Is the perpendicular from the origin on the tangent.
Now, writing Fin the form
{^-=dy , {y-y'y _ ,
F+e "^ a^4^ ~ ^ \
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 165

we find
^ = x' sin^ — f cos^ + p, V{(a" 4 0) cos"^ 4 (5" 4 0) sin"<^};
hence
r4>i C't'i
8 — 8' = 8x' I u cos(/) d^ 4 8 y I u ain^d^ + ip, {uy — uy),

where m" = (a" 4 0) cos"0 4 (5" 4 0) sin"^.

The points a, 8 are supposed to lie on the outer oval, ^nd
/3, 7 on the inner, and the point of contact with F is such
that a7=/3S; the tangents also are supposed to intersect within
the inner oval.
For the central bicircular quartic x' and f vanish, and the
difference of the areas is algebraic.

355. If the equation of a Cartesian oval be written

(x" -f f - Ji'y - d { x - m ) = 0,
the equation
8=p.'+2p,{x' + f-k') + d { x - m ) = 0
represents one of the circles having double contact with the
curve at points on a perpendicular to the axis. The equation
of the curve m a y then be written (x" 4 y' — k' 4 f)' = 8, and
by the method which w e adopted in E x . 348, w e can show
that, if a Hne meet the curve in a, 5, c, d, w e shall have
a 4 / 3 - 7 - 8 = 2V(2/*,), a + y - ^ - S = 2f{2p,^),
a 4 8 - / 3 - 7 = 2V(2/^3), '
where pi,^, p,^, p,^ are the parameters of the three circles of the
system which touch the line, and a,'&c. are the distances
of a, &c. from a point on the line. '
N o w if r he the radius and x' the abscissa of the centre
of 8, w e find
x'r' = {x'-d^){x'-dy}{x'-dy).
166 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics,

where d,, d„, <f, are the distances of the three coUinear foci
from the origin; and from this relation w e see that, it o
touch the line
X cos to + y a m c o — p = 0,
w e shall have
x' {p - x' cos 0))" - (x - dy) (x' - d^) {x - d^) = 0,
Let x„ Xj, X3 be the roots of this equation, then since
_ a' _ d d_
4^,' ^ 4ytt,' ' ip,,
3
w e have x. = ~ — — ^ ^75, x = &c.
' {a + B — y — o) '
Hence, being given the sum or difference of the intercepts
of aline on a"^Gartesian, the envelope of the line Is a circle
having double contact with the curve..
Putting d^ + d^ + J3 =p^, &c. the cubic in x can be written
x" sin"ft) — x" {Pi — 2p cosft))4 a;' (p^ —p') — p ^ = 0,
from which w e see that a line touching a circle about the
double focus as centre meets the curve so that
2 (a 4 /3 — 7 — 8)" = a constant,
and that a line parallel to a given one meets the curve so that
(a4/S-7-8)(a47-/S-8)(a4 8-/3-7)
is given.
Substituting d^, d^, d^ successively, for x In the identity
{x — dyi {01^ — dy) (x' - dy)-x' { p - x' cos ft))"
= 8ln"ft) (x' - xJ (x' - X,) (x' - X3),
and eliminating p and to, w e obtain
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics, 167

which gives the identical relation connecting the intercepts

of a line on the curve,
1{py = 3p,jP3, In which case the curve consists of a single
oval, w e can show that any line drawn through the double - ^
focus is divided equi-anharmonically by the curve.

356. If two tangents be drawn to the circle 8 in the

same manner as in E x . 354, the difference of the areas
intercepted on the space between the ovals of the Cartesian
will be algebraic.

357. If a bicircular quartic meet a conic, the sum of the

eccentric angles of the eight points of intersection is equal
to zero or 27r, see E x . 122. If, then, the conic touch the
quartic four times, the s u m of the eccentric angles of the
points of contact is equal to zero or tt. In the former case
the points of contact are concyclic, and the system of conies
is that considered in E x . 342, In the latter case the points
of contact lie on an equilateral hyperbola whose asymptotes
are parallel to the axes of the conic, see E x . 124. If w e
write the quartic
8'-rd'p'p" = 0,
where
8^x'+f-2ax-2^y + k', p' = f+{x-cy, p"=f+{x + cy,
the equation
U = 8 - m c o a ( f > {of - f - d ) - 2 m x y sin^ = 0

will represent one pf the latter system of conies. The points

p p' are evidently foci of the quartic, and since there are six
pairs of foci, there thus appear to be six systems of these
conies.
168 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics.

If 0 be the angle between the asymptotes of TJ, we have

tan0 = \/(OT"-1), andOT= sec 0, from which w e see that the
eccentricity of Z7is given.

358. W efindfor the equation of theflirectorcircle pf U

(1 - m') {of + f ) - 2 { a + macoa4> +ot/3sin</)) x
- 2 { ^ + m a s m ^ - mBcos<p)y + 2 {7f+mc'coat}))-a'- 0' = O,
from which w e see that the centre of Uliea on the circle
(x - a)" + { y - ^ Y - fd' {x' 4 y') = 0.
W e also see that the director circle cuts orthogonally a
fixed circle whose centre is -r,—-=;, -r,—?s, and that it,
a' + B d + B
therefore, has double contact with a Cartesian oval.
359. Putting m = sec 0, w e m a y write TJ
(cos0 — cos^) x" 4 (cos0 4 cos^) y'- 2 am<})xy — 2 cos0 {ax+^y)
I +k'coa9 + dcos(]) = 0.
The equations of the asymptotes of U are then found to be
2^ + a cot 0 - tani ((ji - 0) (x -/3 cot 0) = 0,
2/- a cot0 - tani (<^ 4 0) (x4/3 cot0) = 0 ;
they, therefore, pass through thefixedpoints /3 cot0, - a cot0;
— y8 cot 0, a cot 9, respectively.
From the equations of the asymptotes w e easilyfindthe
equations of the axes of TJ, viz.

y—- —^—tanid>lx -) =0.

^ I4sec0 ^^V I4sec0/ '
y "^—-pi + cotiAix-- I =0-
^ l-sec0 ^^\ l-sec9j '
they, therefore, pass through fixed points. This might be
seen at once from the fact that the asymptotes include a
 Eocamples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 169

constant angle and pass through fixed points on the circle

on which they intersect; for It can be seen that the points
T yS cot 0, + a cot 0 lie on the circle
(x - af + { y - /3)" - m" (x" 4 / ) = 0 (Ex. 358).

360. Writing ?7in the form

[l-m)X'+{l + m) Y'- G = 0 ,

where X={x- ^^-^ cosi^ + (y-^-—) sinl^,

^ _ g" (1 4 m cos j)) 4 /8" (1 — m cos ^) 4 2maB sin 0

1 - OT
- {Jf 4 mc' cos 4>)i
the foci wIU evidently be given by the equations

r=0,Z" = ,^, orX=0, 7" = -^,

' 1- OT-" ' ot" - 1 '
from which w e see that the locus of the foci consists of two
nodal bicircular quartics, the node in each case being the
point through which the eorrespPnding axis of fT" passes.
T h e equations of the tangents at the vertices of tJ being
{l-m)X'-G = 0, {l + m ) Y ' - G = 0,
these lines touch a pair of conies, and the vertices themselves
He on a pair of nodal bicircular quartics.

361. A circle is described through. the cehtrts of the

quadrilateral formed by the points of Contact of Tj; show
that the locus of the centre of the circle is
(2ax + 2$y + a ' + ^ - 2F)"= 4ot" {(ox - ^ y - c")"4 {ay + /Sx)"},
a conic of which the radical centre of the director circles
of Z7 is a focus.
z
170 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics,

362. To find the equation of a Cartesian oval passing

through four points on a circle.
Let 8=oi;' + f-k'=0
he the equation in rectangular coordinates of the circle, and
let a' - y8 = 0, where
a=lx + my, ^=px + qy + r
denote one of the parabolas whose intersection with 8
determines the four points, then
0" (a" - ;8) 4 2 ( 0 a 4 X ) yS4/S" = 0,
where 0 and X are arbitrary parameters, represents a Cartesian
oval passing through the four points; for this equation m a y
be written
(fi"4 0a 4 X)" - (X" 4 ^ / 8 4 20Xa) = 0,
showing that the curve Is a Cartesian oval, of which
* X"4<9"/34-20Xa = O
is the double tangent, and the centre of the circle
;S40a4X = O
the triple focus.
Since two parabolas can be described through the four
points, it foUows that there are two systems of Cartesian
ovals passing through the points.
F r o m the equation of the double tangent w e see that it
is always a tangent to the parabola a" — /3 = 0, and, from the
equationfi'40 a 4 X = O w e see that the triple focus lies on
the perpendicular to a at the centre of 8.
For the equation of the axis of symmetry of the curve
w e find
20 {qx - p y ) + iX {mx - ly) + {Iq - m p ) 0" = 0,
whence, if the curve pass through another fixed pointj the
axis wiU touch a conic.
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 171,

The equation of a circle 2, having Its centre on the

of symmetry, and having double contact with the curve, is
easily seen to be
ytt" 4 2/i (/S4 (9a 4 X) 4 X" 4 0"ie 4 20Xa = 0,
or {X + p)'+29{X+ p,)a + e''^ + 2p,8=0;
from which It appears that the radical axis
(X4p.)"4 20(X4A')a4 0"/3 = O
of S and 8 touches the parabola a" — /3 = 0.
Hence, when the radius of 2 is given, its centre Hes on a
given circular cubic; for, expressing that
2x'x 4 2y'y - (x'" 4 y" + k ' - r') = 0,
the radical axis of 8 and
^ = {x-x'y + {y-y'Y-r')
touches the parabola a"-y3 = 0, we obtain a relation of
the form
Aof 4 B f 4 2Hxy + { G x + Fy) (of + f -f A;" - r") = 0.
Putting r equal to the distance of x, y from one of the
given points, we see that the normal to the curve at gne of
these points meets the axis on twofixedHues passing through
the centre of 8. W h e n r vanishes we obtaui the cubic locus
of the three coUinear foci.,

363. Writing a Cartesian oval In the form

V = ofy' + z' {cz' + 2fyz + 2gzx + 2hxy) = 0,
where x, y, pass through the circular points, and a is the line
at infinity, we can vei-Ify the identity

{sa.'+fy')V-i{x'^+y''£)L.{xy + hz')

X {{gx' +fy') {xy + hf) - {ody+fx) L\,

where L = 2gx + 2fy + { c - h') z.
172 Eqcamples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics,

Hence the points of contact of parallel tapgents lie on a

conic which passes through four fixed points. B y writing F
in the form
{xy 4 hz'Y + f {^ffx 4 2fy 4 (c - h')z} = 0,
w e see that two of these ppints are the points of contact cxf
the double tangent.
If w e seek the locus of points from which the tangents
to F have their ppints of contact on a conic by the method
of E x . 311, w e obtain the prodnot of the line at infinity by
the axis of the curve.

364. A triangle is formed by two foci of a Cartesian and

a variable point on the curve; show that the locus of the
centre of the inscribed circle Is a circular cubic passing
through the same foci.

365, Four points A, B, C, B are taken on a Cartesian

oval, of which 0 Is a focus; if
P= O A . B C B - O B . G B A + O G . A B B - OB.ABC,
Q = OA'.BOB- OB'.GBA+OC'-.ABB- OB'.ABG,
where A B C is the area of the triangle AB.C, &c., show tha,t
the ratio of P to Q is of an absolute constant of the curve.

366. Using the notation of the preceding example, if 0

be the triple focus of the Cartesian, and
B = OA^-BCB- O B \ C B A + O G \ A B R - OB'.ABG,
shpw that thp ratio of ^ to P is an absolute constant of the
curve.

367. A circle passing through the dpuble foci and a

point P o n an ellipse of Cassini meets the normal at P i n Q ;
shpw that the locus of Q is the inverse of the curve with
respect to the circle described, on the double foci as diarneter.
 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics, 173

368. If 8 be the angle of aberrancy at any point of an

2
ellipse of Cassini, show that cot 8 = - ^ sin 0 cos 0, where p is
the radius of curvature, r the central radius vector and 0 the
angle which the central radius vector makes with the curve.

369. Given four pomts on an oval of Cassini tofindthe

locus of the centre.
The polar equation of the curve referred to its centre
r' - 2c"?-" COS20 4 c' - A* = 0
is satisfied by assuming
r' COS20 = c"4 Jf C082^, r' sin20 = F sin2(/);
hence, if p,^ denote the central radius vector to the middle
point of the chord (12), w e have
(12) p,, = i V { ^ ; + ry - 2ryry cos2 (0, - 0,)} = A" sin (.^, - .^,),
from which, by means of the Identity
sin (^. - ^ J sin (^3 - ^ J + sin (^, - ^3) sin (^^ - 0 J
4 s m (^3 - ^ J sin (^, - ^J = 0,
w e deduce
(12) (34) p,^3,4 (23) (14) p,3p„ 4 (31) (24) p3,p,, = 0.
N o w this relation m a y also be written
BC,BC'.PA,PA'±CA, GA',PB.PB±AB.AB',PC,PC'=0,
where A , B , G are three fixed points on the curve. A , B', C
the points diametrically opposite A , B , G, and P a variable
point on the curve.
But the middle points of the sides and diagonals of a
quadrangle form two triangles such as A B C , A'B'G', the
c o m m o n point of bisection of A A , . &c, being the centroid,
and the chords (12), (34), &c. are equal to double the lines
A B , A B ' , &c. respectively. Thus w e see that the required
174 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics.
1 ~~;—" '.
locus is an oval of Cassini passing through the middle points
of the six lines joining the given points.
W h e n the four points lie on a circle, w e have seen that the
locus is an equilateral hyperbola (see E x . 332).

370. A circle 8, cutting orthogonaUy the circle

j=x' + f-a' + b' = 0,
meets one of the ovals of the Cassinian
r'-2,{d + b')fcoa29+{d-b'Y = Q
in A , B , A', B , the points A , B being inverse to A , B ,
respectively, with regard to J; if the difference of the arcs
A B , A B ' be given, to show that the locus of the centre of 8
is a conic.
If 0, 0' he the points in which the radius vector 0 = 0
meets the oval, w e can show that

arc^ 0 - arc^'O' = ^j^^^ F{k, <f>),

where a sin <^ = V(«'4 5") sin 0, k= ., ., „

, We have, then, when arc AB— arc A'B' is given,

cos a = cos (f)^ cos 02 + sin 0, sin ^^a/{1— k' sin"cr),
where cr is a constant, subject to which condition it can be seen
that the centre of 8 moves along a conic confocal with

d 5" ~
If the sum of the arcs -4P, A'B' is given, the centre of 8
wUl move along a curve of the fourth order; for it can be
shown that

^rcAO+avcAG = ^j^^^^F{k', f),

where 5sin0' = V(a"4 5") sin0, k" = l-k'.

 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Quartics. 175

371. If we take two points P, P', connected by the

relations rr' = c", 9 + 9' = 0, on the curve
r"- 2 (2a" 4 c" cos20) r" 4 c* = 0,
the distance between P and P' is equal to 2a, and the locus
of the middle point Q of PP' is the Cassinian oval
r* - 2c" cos20J-" 4 c* - a* = 0.
The normals to the curve at P and P' intersect at a point Q'
on the Cassinian oval
{d - a*) / - 2c' cos2^»-" 4 c' = 0,
Q and Q' being connected by the same relations as P and P',

372. To obtain an expression for the arc of the invers

of the parabola ^" = 4ot(x — a ) , the origin being the centre
of inversion.
Putting x = a + mp,', y = 2mp,, we have, for the arc s of
the inverse curve, ,
F ^/{dx' 4 df) ^ 2ot^" V[1 4 f ) dp,
*~ as" 4 2/' ~ {a + mp,'y + im'p.''
If, then, a be greater than 3ot, we find

s = —^— r /(l ^'\lorK-^+''^(-^~'"^]

2V{'n(a4OT)} L Y V PJ ^yp-z^/{p-m)}

where
p = a 4 2 o t 4 2 >^{m {a + m)}, q = a + 2 m - 2 V{m(a4m)],
- ^
''-V(l4y^")'
If a < 3ot and > - m , the second member Is replaced by
a circular function, and when
176 Examples and Problems on Bicircular Qi^rtics.

The semi-perimeter of this curve wiU be bisected at the

point where a = f.
W h e n a 4OT> 0, w e can obtain the integral by assuming
mp,' 4 a 4 2ot = 2 V { — m { a + m)} tan (0 4 7),
and determining 7 by the condition
(2a 4 3m)
tan27 = - 2
a 4 6OT Y Va4OT/
(See WUliamson's Integral Calculus, Art. 76).

373. ^ is a point on a fixed circle, and B a point on

toother fixed circle; if the line A B pass through a fixed
point, show that the locus of the anti-points of A and P is a
bicircular quartlc.
374. Show that the bicircular quartics
ax (x" 4 y' - c") 4 ySy («" 4 y' 4 c") 4 7 («' + yl
+ {x' + y'Y-2f{x'-y')+d = 0,
a'x (x" 4 f - d) 4 §'y {x' + f + f) 4 7' (x' 4 f )
4 (x" 4 f y - 2d (x» - y') + d = 0,
cut each other orthogonally, if
aa'4/3/3'= 2 (7 4 7')-
 Miscellaneous Examples. l77

IV.. Miscellaneous Examples.

375. To find the equation of the circle circumscribing •

the triangle formed by three tangents to a tri-cuspidal
hypocycloid.
If w e write the equation of a tangent to the curve in the
form xcosa42/sina—5 cos3a=0 {8almon^s Curves, Art. 310,
E x . 5), the equation of the circle wIU be
sin (yS — 7) (x cos/3 4 ^ siu/S — 5 cos3/3) {x C0S7 4 ^ sln7 — 5 cos37)
+ sin(7—a) (x COS74 y sin7 — 5 00337) (* cosa+y sina-5 cos3a)
4 sin(a-/3)(x cosa42/ sina-6 cos3a)(a; coa^+y sin^-5 cos3yS)=0.
Multiplying out this equation, and dividing by
sin (yS — 7) sin (7 — a) sin (a — /S),
w e get
o f + f - 25(cos2a4 cos2yS4 cos27)x4 25(sin2a4 sin2;84sin27)y
4- 5"{8 cos(/3-7) cos(7-a) cos(a-/3)-l-2 cos2 (a4/S47)} = 0.
If P Is the radius of this circle, w e find P = 25 cos(a4iS47).
Hence w e see that when the tangents pass through a point,
a + ^ + 7 = iTT. W h e n the normals at the points of contact
pass through a point, a 4 yS 4 7 = 0, and then B = 25.

376. To find the equation of the polar circle of the same

triangle.
T h e equation of this circle is
sin2 (yS - 7) (x cosa 4 2^ sina - 5 cos3a)"
4 sin2 (7 - a) (x cosyS 4 2/ sin/3 - 5 cos3/3)"
4 sin2 (a - yS) (x COS7 4 y sin7 — 5 COS37)" = 0,
AA
 178 ' Miscellaneous Eocamples.

which becomes, when we multiply out and reduce,

xi* 4 f - 25 {cos2 (yS 4 7) 4 cos2 (7 4 a) 4 cos2 (a.4 /3)} x
- 25 {sin2 (/S 4 7) 4 sin2 (7 4 a) 4 sin2 (a 4 /3)} y
4 5"{l-8-cos(/3-7) cos(7-a) cos(a-/3) cos2 (a4/3 47)}=0.
F r o m the expressions for their coordinates, w e see that the
centres of the circles in this and the preceding example are
equidistant from the origin; hence w e infer that the line
bisecting at right angles the line joining the centre of the
circumscribing circle and the intersection of the perpendiculars
of the triangle formed by three tangents to a tri-cuspidal
hypocycloid passes through the Intersection of the cuspidal
tangents.
If a, /3, 7 be the equations of the sides of the triangle in
trilinear coordinates, the equation of this line Is
a sin3^ 4j8 s i n 3 P 4 7 sin3(7=0.
If w e take four tangents, the four such lines, which
correspond to the four triangles formed by the tangents, pass
through the intersection of the cuspidal tangents. Thus w e
see that, for the four triangles which can be formed out of a
quadrilateral, these lines in general pass through a point.

377. From the equations of the circumscribing and polar

circles w e can obtain the equation of the nine-point circle of
the same triangle, viz.
o f + f — 2 b sins {sin(/S 4 7-a) 4 sin(74a—yS)4 sin(a4/3-7)}x
4 25 sins {co8(y8 4 7 — a) 4 003(74 a - y8)4 cos(a 4y8—7)}^
4 5" {8 sin"s cos (/3 — 7) cos (7 - a) cos (a—y8) - cos 2s} = 0,
where s = a 4 /3 4 7.
If s = 0, or the normals at the points of contact pass
through a point, the nuie-ppint circle is the fixed circle
x' + f-b' = o.
 Miscellaneous Examples, 179

378. To find the equation of the circle inscribed in the

same triangle.
Expressing that the tangent xcosa42/sina—5 cos3a = 0
touches a circle whose centre is x', y, and radius r, w e have
5 {f 4 1) 4 2re - (x' - if) f - (x' 4 if) f = 0,
where c''' = t. F r o m this equation w e get 2 cos a = 0,
2 sina = 0, 2 a = 0, oa - if = - 526*'°+/", a;' 4 if = - 526"''"*^^',
and from these relations, by eliminating three of the angles,
w e obtain •
x' = b { P ' - Q ' - 2 Q a m s ) , f = 2 b P { Q - sins),
where P = cosa 4 cos/34 C0S7, § = sina4sin;8 4 sin7,
s = a 4 jS 4 7.
W e also get r = 5 coss(.P"4-^"-1), and if Tf be the
absolute term In the equation of the circle,
k'=b'{{F'+ Q'+ 1)" sin"s42 (P"4 Q ' ) + i Q { Q ' - 3 P ' ) a m s - l ] .
A s the equation of a tangent is unaltered by increasing
a by TT, w e shall evidently obtain the equations of the three
escribed circles by increasing one of the angles by ir,

379. If four tangents x cos a 4«/ sin a — 6 cos 3a = 0, &c.

of a tri-cuspidal hypocycloid are all touched by the same
circle, w e have 2 sin (a 4 s) = 0, or any one of the conditions
obtained by interchanging a, yS, &c. in either of the foUowIng:
sin (a 4 s) 4 sin (/84 s) — sin ( 7 4 s) — sin (8 4 s) = 0,
cps (a 4 s) + cos (/3 4 s ) 4 cos ( 7 4 s) — cos (84s) = 0 ,
where 2s = a + ^ + y + h,

380. If the normal at a point P of a tri-cuspidal hypo-

cycloid meet one of the axes of symmetry In Q, show that
of = 275*'", where P Q = r, and x is the distance of Q from the
corresponding cusp. If r,, r^, r^ be the three values of r
corresponding to the three axes of symmetry, show that
(*•, - r.T + (^ - '•a)' + ('•a - ryf = 1625", r-,4 4 r,i 4 r,i = 0.
 180 ' Miscellaneous Examples,

381. If two tangents from a point P to a tri-cuspidal

hypocycloid contain a constant angle, show that the locus
of P is a tri-nodal quartic which tpuches the line at infinity
at the circular points. S h o w s^lsp that the nodes of this
quartic lie on the axes of symmetry of the curve and form
an equilateral triangle.

382. A line cutting off a constant intercept between the

lines a? — y' = 0 m a y be written x cos &> 4 y sin a) — J cos 26)=0,
the envelope of which, as is w e U known, is the curve
{x + yY+{x-y)^ = 2d\
If four tangents of this curve x cosa42/ d m a — d cos2a=0, &c.
are connected by the relation a 4 y 8 4 7 + 8 = 0, it can be
showji that they are all touched by the same circle.
It is not, however, necessary that this relation should hold
if four tangents are touched by the same circle.

383. Show that three tangents from any point P of the

circle x' + y' — d^ = 0 to the curve, whose equation is given in
j \ A the preceding example, are parallel to the sides of an
' equilateral triangle. S h o w also that the osculating circles at
the points pf contact of these tangents are touched by the
fourth tangent from P tp the curve,

384. Show that the equation of the circle inscribed in the

triangle formed by the lines x cosa 4 2( sin a — (Z cos2a = 0, &c.
ia { x - o i > y + { y - y ' y - f = 0,
where x' = id cosi [^ + 7) cosi (7 + «) cosi (a 4 ^ ) ,
f = - i d sin J (^ 4 7) sin i (7 4 a) sin| (a -f /3),
J r=- 4{cos (/34 7 } 4 cos ( 7 4 a ) 4 cos (a4/8)}.
 Miscellaneous Examples, 181

385. Show that an infinite number of rigid equilateral

triangles can be circumscribed about the curve which is the
envelope of the line x cosft)4 2/sinft)= A; 4 (^ cos 2a). Shovr
also that the locus of the centroids of the triangles is the
cu-cle x ' + y ' = d',

386. If a circle whose centre is x', f, and radius r touch

the lines
X c o s a 4 ^ sina- {k + dcoa2d) = 0 ,
X cos/3 4 y sin^S — ( J c + d cos 2/3) = 0,
show that

+ oT;;^TTrx^=8<^{^ + ^-^cos(a4/3)}.
cos"i(a4/3) sin"i(a4/3)

387. To show that the algebraic sum of the reciprocals

of the c o m m o n tangents of a circle and an arbitrary curve
is equal to zero.
W e m a y write the tangential equation of the cqrve
p' + uy-'+„,u^ = 0,
where m, is a rational h o m o g e n e o u s function of coso), slnoj of
the r** degree. Putting
t'+l . f-1
cos ft): 2t ' 2it
this equation becomes
t y + r y - («„ 4 a/) +,„+ if +1/"-'+... L = 0 ,
from which w e see that the product df all the values of t,
corresponding to the same value of p. Is independent of p ;

therefore -=- 2ft) = 2 - = 0.

dp t
In a simUar manner, by the use of polar coordinates, w e
can prove that the sum of the cp-tangents of the angles at
which a circle meets an arbitrary curve is equal to zero (see
Exx. 51,271,338).
 182 Miscellaneous Examples.

— y^- 388. If t he the length of the tangent drawn from a

' ^ point P to a curve, and p be the radius of curvature at the
point of contact of the tangent, to show that, for all the

tangents drawn from Pto the curve, 2 ^=0.

If w e write the equation of a tangent to a curve in the

form x + p,y = a,it can be shown that - ^ = -,, where t Is the

•^ ' da' «"
length of the tangent measured from the point of contact to
the point a, 0. But the tangential equation of the curve is a
rational function of the w™- degree in a, p,, from which It
foUows that the sum of the n values of p, corresponding to
the same value of a, is of the form aa 4 5. Hence w e have

^f-^dd-^'
389. If two curves be transformed by the substitutions of
E x . 35, show that the transformed curves cut each other under
the same angles as the original curves.
390. 1{ TJ ia a conic, and x, y are lines, show that a
c o m m o n tangent of the curves
x"»-a2/""Z7™-" = 0, y'"'-(Ssc"'Tr-^ = 0
is divided harmonically at the points of contact and where It
meets TJ.

391. Show that the four tangents to the tri-cuspidal

quartic
a;~4 4 y'^ + a"* = 0,
at the points where It Is n;et by the Hne
Ix 4 m y + nz = 0,
meet the curve again In eight points lying on the conic
lx' + my'' + nz' + 2{3l-m-n)yz+2{3m-n-l)zx
+ 2{3n-l-m)xy = 0.
 Miscellaneous Examples. 183

392. Given three tangents of a tri-cuspidal quartic, show

that a nodal cubic can be described having these lines for
inflexional tangents and passing through the three cusps
of the quartic. '

393. Given three tangents and two of the cusps of a

ti-i-cuspIdal quartic, show that the locus of the intersection
of the tangents at these cusps consists of nine right lines.

394. Show that the equation

^J{y'' + z'+ 2ayz) + >J{z' 4 x" 4 25ax) 4 V(«" + 2/' 4 2exy) = 0, -
represents a quartic of which the vertices of the triangle of
reference are nodes.

395. Let F be the polar cubic of a point P with respect

to the tri-nodal quartic
off 4 y'z' + z'x' 4 2Kyz {ax + by + cz) = 0,
then If the tangents to F at the nodes pass through a point,
show that the locus of P is
(a 4 be) x{y' + a") 4 (5 4 ca) y (a" 4 x") 4 (c 4 a5) a (x" 4 f )
4 2 (1 4 a5c) xyz = 0.
396. T h e equation of a trinodal quartlc being written
in the same form as in the preceding example, show that
4{(a-5c)X4(5-ca)p,4(c-a5) v}"
43(142a5c-a"-5"-c")2 = 0
Is the tangential equation of the conic touching the six
inflexional tangents, where
2 = X" 4 /.<." 4- v" — 2ap,v — 2bv\ — 2cXfi
is the conic touching the six nodal tangents (Salmpn's
Curves, Art. 286). •
184 Miscellaneous Examples,

397. The.points of contact of the six tangents from a

point P to the quartic
X* 4 y'z' 4 ofy' + 2ocy {ayz+ bzx + cof) = 0,
(Salmon's Curves, Art. 289), He on a conic; show, by the
method of Ex. 311, that the locus of P is >
25 (1 - a") x"4 2 (1 - a') ax 4 (c - a5) ya 4 (a 4 5c - 2a6")xy= 0,

398. Show that the same locus for the oscnodal quartlc
{yz 4 x")" 4 2cxy {yz + x") 4 f (x" + y'+ 2hxy + 2fyz) = 0,
is { l - d - 2 f ) x + { h - c f ) y = 0.

399. Show that the equations of the twenty-eight double

tangents of the quartic
a;* 4 2^* 4 a* 4 2fy'z' + 2gz'x' + 2hoff =• 0,
are ?/* sIn"/3 4 a;* sin"a 4 2off sin a sm/3 cos 7 = 0,
X* sin"7 4 a* sin"a 4 2a"x" sin7 sina cos/3 = 0,
a* sin"/3 4 y* adfy + 2 f f sin y8 sin 7 cos a = 0 ;
xV( cotia)+2'\/( coti;S)+aV( coti7) = 0,
X V( tan ia) ±«/ \/( tan i ;8) + a f { - coti7) = 0,
X f{ tan ia) 4 y >J{— cot i/3) ± a \/( tan i7) = 0,
a; V(-cotia)+2^\/( tani(8)±aV( tani7) = 0,
where
._ cosa4 cos/3 C0S7 _ cos/34 cosa COS7 , _ COS74 cosa cos/8
8ln/Ssin7 ' sina8in7 ' ~" sinasinyS

400. A circle 8 cuts orthogonally the circle r = 5, and has

its centre on the tri-cuspidal hypocycloid
/ 4 8 5 / COS30 4 185"r" = 275*;
show that the envelope of 8 consists of the two imaginary
parabolas
(x ± iyf — b{x + iy)= 0.
 MisceWxneous Examples, 185

401. Show that the curve

(ax + 52^4 c)" {x' + y'-k') - ( x 4 a)' = 0
has six foci lying on a circle.

402. A triangle Is inscribed in a conchoid of Niconiedes,

BO that the circumscribing circle passes through the node;
show that the centre of the inscribed circle lies on the
asyniptpte.

- 403. A line through the origin meets the conchoid

(x-5)'(x"4 2^") = a V
again in two points; show that the locus bf the intersection
of the normals at these points Is the parobola y' + bx = 0.

404. If the centre of the nine^point circle of a triangle,

whose base isfixed,m o v e along a given conic; show that
the locus of the vertex is a quartic curve of which the
extremities of the base are nodes.
t
405. If the feet of the perpendiculars from a point P on
five given lines He on a Cartesian oval of which P is a focus,
show that the locus of P Is a quartic curve passing through
aU the points of intersection of the given Hnes.

406. Given four tangents to the curve paraUel to a

parabola, show that the locus of the focus is a nodal circular
cubic passing through the centres of the circles inscribed
in the four triangles formed by the given tangents.

407. If t be the length of the tangent drawn from a point

P-to the nine-point circle of the triangle formed by the feet
of the perpendiculars from P on the sides of a given triangle,
show that
^"7" sin2^ 4 7Vsin2P4a"/3"sin2(7
*z _.'_ - -
2 (/37 sin >4 4 7a sin P 4 a/3 sin G )
BB
186 Miscellaneous Examples.

where a, /3, 7 are the trilinear coordinates of P wit

to the given triangle.

408. If A' be the area of the triangle formed by the

bisecting at right angles the lines which join a point P to the
vertices of a given triangle, show that
,__A^ {By am A 4 7a sinP4 a^ sin (7)"
8P ay37 '
where A is the area, B the radius of the circumscribing circle,
and a, y8, 7 the perpendiculars from P on the sides of the
given triangle.

409. If 8 be the angle of aberrancy at any point of th

curve whose polar equation is r"" =-df am.m9, show that

^^''^ = *(r:^)'°*'^'
where ^ Is the angle which the radius vector makes with
the curve.

410. A curve of the ot'" degree, passing m times throu

each circular point, meets a conic; show that the sum of
the eccentric angles pf the 4ot points, of intersection is equal
to zero.

411. Show that the foci of the curve

^4-^=1
a 0
are the inverse points with respect to iif + y^ = Tf of the foci
of the curve
n n
X y ,
m T^ Tin ^i
a 0
if ad = k', bb' = k', 2mn = m + n.
 Miscellaneous Examples. 187

Show that this is also true if the axes are oblique, the
circle of inversion being, in this case,
x' + y' + 2xy cosft)= If.
412. Show that the quartic
{xy + yz + zx)' = IQz'xy
has a point of undulation at x = y = 2z, and show that the
tangent at this point isx + y — iz = 0,
413. If 8 and T are the invariants of the four tangents
drawn from x, y, z to the quartlc whose equation is given in
the preceding example, show that
8" _ 16z'{iz-x-y)
27T''~ {xy+yz + zx-8a")""
414. S h o w that the. same quartlc can be written in the
form
16a (x-2/)'= 27 (2/" 4-ax)",
and that the tangential equation of the curve Is then
/3'(/34 4a)-16a'7 = 0.
Hence, show that the reciprocal of this curve is a quartlc
with a triple point at which all the tangents coincide.

415. Show that the contravariant <r of the quartic

x*4 3a"(x"4 2^") = 0
breaks up into two conies whose equations in x, y, a coordi-
nates are
x" — z' + 2yz = 0.

416. A, B are two variable points on a curve of which

0 is a fixed point; show that the loci of the middle point
of the chord A B , corresponding to the conditions
(1) arc . 4 P = a constant,
(2) arc .4 0 4 arc P 0 = a constant,
cut each other orthogonaUy. Show also that the tangents
188 Miscellaneous Examples,

to the loci are paraUel to the bisectors of the angle

the tangents to the curve at A, B,

417. Show that according as we consider w or v as a

constant In the equations
X = a cos (otm 4mv) 4 m a coa{u — v),
y = aam {mu + mv) 4 ma sin {u — v),
we obtain two systems of epicycloids cutting each other
orthogonally.

418. Show that the systems of curves whose equations

in polar coordinates are

(r4^) (cos0)"=a, (r-|) (sin0)" = A

cut each other orthogonally.

419. If r, f are the sides P A , P B of a triangle formed

by a variable point P and twofixedpoints .4, P ; 0, 0' the
base angles of the same triangle, and x, y the coordinates of
P with respect to the axes formed by the base A B and a
perpendicular to it at its middle point, show that the system
of curves
Ir — mr' ^ a 4 nx,
where a is variable, and I,ot,n are constants, is cut orthpgp-
nally by the system (tani0)'(tani0')'" = yS2/".

420. Shew that the systems pf curves

o^y 2/'_^2 ^J" , «'/._^.
y—p B a a—X
cut orthogonally.

421. Show that the systems of curves

, (x" 4 f ) (x" - f - k') = c.x, y {f 4 3x» - k') = c, (x" 4 f )
cut orthogonaUy..
 Miscellaneous Examples, . 189

422. Show that the cuspidal cubic, which is the.envelope

of the line x + ty = m { l + f) + af, cuts orthogonally the tri-
cuspidal quartic which is the envelope of the line
t {x 4 ty) =nt{l + f) 4 a,

423. Show that, if we take different values of k, the curves

of thefifthorder, which are the envelopes of
tx+ fy = kt (1 +t') + m { l + t'Y,
cut each other orthogonally.
This and the preceding example m a y be solved by means
of the theorem that the curves which are the envelopes of the
line X cosft)4 y a m t o — p = 0, subject to the conditions
p coaa+f{o))=c^, pcQaco—f{(o + \'ir) = c^,
cut orthogonally. This m a y be proved by differentiating the

first equation, substituting —p, -^ for -^ , p, and increasing

ft) by iTT, when we find the result of differentiating the se

equation.

424. To find the length of the inverse of the epicycloid

with respect to the centre of thefixedcircle.
W e have (see Salmon's Curves, Art. 309) p = b coswa); but

^ ^[P^d^')^'^ k' {l-n')d{amnm)

dS= dp \"• = nb
—r cos"wft)4m"
r. .,avdnat
• .. .
^ ' < B
T h e arc, therefore, is a logarithm, or circular function
according as n is greater or less than umty.

425. To find the length of the inverse of the epitrochoid

with respect to the centre of thefixedcircle.
W e have, for the epitrochoid,
X = ot5 sin ^ — J sluOT^, y = mbcos(p — d cosm^;
190 Miscellaneous Eoeamples,

therefore

ds=k'[i+ •(^^-i)(^'-"»^') T ___ii____,

r ^rf"4ot"5"- 2ot5^ cosi/rj V(&' + d'- 2bd c o s f ) '
where t^^ = (ot.— 1) ^.
T h e arc, therefore, depends on elliptic functions of the
first and third kind.

426. If s be the length of the curve whose polar equation •

is r? = (cos0)t + (sin0)°, show that
s = //3 {^TT - tan'' (V3 cos2(|))},
where tan'^ = tan 9.

427. Show that the arc and area of the curve f cos30=a"
are expressed by means of the same integrals as the area and
arc of the curve r' = d cos30, respectively.

428. A circle passing through the origin and a fixed

point on the curve r'=a'cos30 meets the curve again
in ^, P ; show that the middle point of the arc .4P Is fixed.

429. A tangent drawn from a point P to an epicycloid

is of given length a; tofindthe arc of the locus of P.
If p be the radius of curvature of the epicycloid, and o) the
angle which it makes with a fixed line. It m a y be shown that
dff = tj{p' 4 a") day, where a Is the arc of the locus; but
p = 5coswa); therefore,

d<T = - \l{a' 4 5" cos"0) d(l>,

putting wft) = ^. Thus we see that the arc required is always

equal to that of an eUipse.
 Notes and 8olutions to some of the Problems. 191

Notes and Solutions to some of the Problems,

7. By means of elliptic functions the equation of the

circle inscribed in a circumscribed triangle can be written in
a form similar to that of the circumscribing circle of an

inscribed triangle. For if m, = / —r- 1 . „ ,\, &c. where

Jo A/(l-e sin"(^)'
01) 02) 0a ^""c the complements of the excentric angles of the
points of contact of the tangents, it can be shown that
Vj = c sn i (Mjj 4 Mg), &c.
(see Enneper's Elliptische Funetionen, p. 501).
If, then, x , y be the coordinates of the centre, and r the
radius, w e have

x'= - sni (m, 4 mJ sni {u^ + wj sni (m, 4- mJ,

r = J dni (m,4M3) dni (M34 mJ dni (m^ 4 «,).

Comparing the equations of the circles in Ex. 7 and Ex. 1,

w e see that the points of contact of tangents to a conic, which
are parallel to its chords of intersection with a circle, lie on
confocal conies passing through the points of intersection of
the c o m m o n tangents of the conic and circle.

13. The locus of Ex. 12 can be written in the form

j^^{G-py){G-py)-ib'G=o,
where p^, p^ axe the distances of a point from the foci of 8,
192 Notes and Solutions to some of the Problems.

from which it foUows thai a focus of 8 is an anti-point

(Salmon's Curves, Art. 139) of two points of Intersection of (7,
on 8', But the points of intersection of G and 8' {Curves,
Art. 275) are foci of the quartic, and the anti-points of foci
are also foci.

39.. The equation sin .4 v'(Pi"'' — ^'0 + &c. = 0 represents

two circles, concentric with the circumscribing circle and
situated at a distance + k from it.

44. The point cos X, cos p., cos v satisfies the equation of
the cubic and also that of the line at infinity. But the
tangents to the cubic at the points 1, ± 1 , + 1 pass through
cosX, cosyit, cosv; these points are, therefore, the points of
contact of the tangents parallel to the real asymptote (Salmon's
Curves, Art. 278).

61. When the circle touches the conic, we have in

the limit

t-t' = l~coi9, anAtt' = l{p^ry%,

p ^ p
52. This proposition can be readily established by means
of elliptic functions; for, by Chasles's theorem, the extremities
of the diagonals of the quadrilateral, fornied by the c o m m o n
tangents of a conic and a circle, lie on a confocal conic;
hence, w h e n four tangents are touched by a circle (see Note
on E x . 7), M^ 4 Mg 4 Wg 4 M4 = 0, or i m K ,
N o w three tangents coincide at the point of contact of an
osculating circle; therefore, for the points of contact
M„ Mj, M3 of osculating circles which touch the tangent u, w e have
3m,4M = 0, or M, = - ^M, and u^ = --|m 4^K, u^= — ^u + ^K,
froih which it follows that the tangents u^, u^, u^ are touched
 Notes and Solutions to some of the Problems. 193

by a circle touching u. There are nine osculating circles

touching a given tangent, but six of these are imaginary,
corresponding to the imaginary periods of u,

53. Since there is only one circle of given radius having

double contact with a parabola, it foUows that the coordinates
of its centre must be expressed rationally in terms of the
coefficients of _ the curve. But given three tangents to a
parabola, the coefficients are quadratic functions of a para-
meter. W e thus see that the locus is unicursal.

122. Let e'> = t, then

x = ia(*4i), y = i-i{t-]):

and substituting these values in the equation of the quartlc

w e obtain f + & c — 4 1 = 0, from which the result stated
In the question follows.

126. Let py={x-x,y+{y-yj', p/ = &c,,

then the equation '2,yiipt = 0 will represent an equilateral
hyperbola, if
2Z, = 0, 2?,x, = 0, 2Zi2^. = 0, 2Z.-(x," 4 2/."J = 0-
N o w this equation can be written '2y\ay = 0, where
o-i = P i - p a ^ a2 = P2'-P5')&C,,
and 2^'^iaj = 0, identically. But w h e n the curve is written
in the latter form, the pole of a^ = 0 is found from the
equations a^ = a.^ = a^, therefore &c.

138. These relations are also true for the circle.

154. See Ex. 341.

 194 Notes and Solutions to sonte of the Problems,

155. Let p, »•,, r^, r^ be the distances of a point from

F, A , B , G respectively, then the equation of the circle Is

sini (/3 - 7) y (^) + sini (7 - «) ^(^)

• 4sini(a-^)y(e^) = 0,
where a = angle-4P0, &c., and d^=FA,&c, But for the
.centre of the circle round A B C , r.^=r^ = r^, and from the
focal equation of the parabola d^ = a aec'\a, &e.; therefore
cosiasini (/3—7) 4 cosiy3 sini (7 — a ) 4 c o s i 7 sini (K-y8) = 0,
r
which is satisfied Identically. See also E x . 166.
163. Let the conic be projected into a circle, and the
fixed line to infinity, then the centroid of the projected
triangle is fixed, subject to which GonditiPn it can be seen
that the sides of the triangle touch a conic having the centre
of the circle for focus.
165. B y considering two consecutive curves of the system
w e see that the different loci of the centre, obtained according
as the tangents or points as fixed, must touch one another.
T h e line of intersections of perpendiculars is the radical axis
of the director circles of conies touching four lines, and the
chord of contact of the director circle, given four points on
a conic, passes through a fixed point (see E x . 18).
170. Considering two consecutive curves of the system, w e
see that the locus coincides with the envelope of the directrix.
182. If a, yS, 7, <^ are the eccentric angles of A , B , G, P
respectively, it m a y be shown that the coordinates of the
centroid of the variable triangle are given by the equations

x= —-{22 cosa 43 cos8 4 2 cos (a 4/3 4 8)},

2/ = - Y^ {22 sina 4 3 sinS - 2 sin (a 4/3 4 8)},

 Notes and Solutions to some of the Problems. 195

from which we see that the locus of P is a line if

{2 cos (a 4 /3)}" 4 {2 sin (a + /3)}" = 9,
the condition that the centroid of A , B, G should lie on the
curve. The locus Is in general a conic.
184. See E x . 39.
207. Let a, /3, y be perpendiculars on the sides of the
triangle, and let an imaginary focus satisfy aa'45y3'4c7'=2A,
then since for the Imaginary foci aa'= y3/3'= 77'= a", and
a8y+bya+ca^= 1', we have d('= — 2ra^y, where t Is tha

length of the tangent drawn to the circle. But a=a . /(— j ,

where r^, s^ are the distances of the point of contact from t
imaginary foci, and — = d'Pi, where ^ is the angle subtended
by the same point at the real foci. Hence, since the sum of
the angles subtended at the points of contact is equal to the
sum of the angles subtended at the vertices of the triangle,.
w e have f = 2a!re"; therefore &c.

209. If <^,, ^2 are the angles of intersection at the points

whose eccentric angles are a, ^, w e have
cotd), 4 cotd)=2 cot0 . ^ • I %
^^ ^' sin 9, sin9^ '
where 0„ •^j, V^j are the angles which the chord ayS makes with
the diameter bisecting It and the curve respectively. But

and it can be shown, from the expressions for the coprdinates

of the centre pf the circle in terms pf eccentric angles, that
s
sin^, = - T — sinj (a - /3) sini (« - 7) sini (2a 4 /8 4 7) 5
196 Notes and Solutions to some of the Problems,

also by-by=-dsini («-.B) sini (a4 yS 4^7)}

1 • . • I )o,Ksin"i (a-/3)
and sin i/r, sin i^^ = •t-i^-^ ^ ^;
3
therefore, &c.
If a, yS, 7 are the angles which the sides of the triangle
m a k e with the tranverse axis, it can be shown that
2 (1 - e") 4 f {sm'a 4 a\d'B + sin"7- sin" {a+ B + fi]
C0t(j>-
2e'' sin (a 4 B) sin [B + y) sin (7 4 aj

211. T h e sum of the angles which the tangents to the

circle m a k e with the axis is seen to be zero. Eliminating
then X, y from
X cosft)4 2/ sinft)- 'J{a' cos"o) 4 5" sin"a)) = 0,
and the equations of the conic and circle, and putting e*™ = t,
w e find the required expression from the absolute term of the
equation in t.

226. It is known that the sum of the arguments of three

colllnear points on a cubic is equal to a constant, the
argument of a point being an elliptic function depending
on the coordinates of the point. T h e following proof m a y
be given of this theorem: Suppose the cubic, the point A
on the curve being origin, to be written in the form
UBaX'+...fy = 0,
then, transforming to polar coordinates, if a line making an
angle i, with the tangent at the origin meet the curve again
In P, C, w e have

AB.AG=?^^\
where P is the value of

V {U« h m
 Notes and Solutions to some of the Problems. 197

at A, and Q = a cos'0 4 &c., and, similarly,

BA,BG=^^^, GA.CB=?^^.
V Q
N o w let the line touch a curve in 0 , then w e have, b y
infinitesimals
OAd(f> = sini^ds^ = P^ aini^du^, if ds = P d u ;
hence ^'^i _ ^'^2 _ du^
OA,BG OB,GA OCAB'
and d{u, + u^+uyj=0,
ds
From du -
dU\' /dUv2\ )
dxj \dy J
1 T dx du
w e have d u =-tt"t = — - ^ r ,
du dU^
dy dx
and b y writing the curve in a particular form, as for instance,
y' = x{l-x){l-k'x),
it can b e shown that u Is an elliptic function. If w e n o w
inscribe a triangle in the curve so that the tangent at each
vertex passes through the point where the opposite side
meets the curve again, w e must have the relations
" 1 - ^ 2 = 3 ® ) « 2 - « 3 = i®» M 3 - M j = -|ft),
where co = i m K + 2niK',
T h u s w e see that there are four systems of triangles corre-
sponding to the four distinct values of ^o), viz.
l{iK), l{2iK'), i{iK)±i{2iK').
F r o m the values given above for du^: du^, w e see that w h e n
u — Mj = a constant, the line is divided harmonicaUy at the
three points o n the curve and the point of contact with Its
envelope.
198 Notes and Solutions to some of the Problems,

230. If we put 2/ = 0x in the equation

x' + y^+ Gxyz = 0,
F = 0 is the equation of the tangent, and corresponding points
are connected by the relation 0 4 0' = 0.

232. The lines joining corresponding vertices are tangents

to the Cayleyan. N o w if three tangents to the Cayleyan
pass through a point, the three polar conies of which each
tangent is a factor must have a c o m m o n point; but this can
Only happen when the three points which give rise to the
polar conies lie on a line. Hence the tangents at the vertices
of one of the triangles meet the curve again in three points
on a Hne (Salmon's Curves, Art. 180), in which case the
points where the sides meet the curve again will also lie
on a line.

235. If A, B are the circular points at infinity, the

intersection ot P A and ^ P is an anti-point of P Q . W h e n
P and Q coincide, the locus of the anti-points will cut the
locus of P, Q orthogonally.

258. If p, r„ r^, r^ denote the distances of a point from

P, A , B , G respectively, w e have, for the intersection of the
perpendiculars of the variable triangle.

{p^-ry)^^ = {f-ry-^ = {p'-ry)S2^^,

where d, = PA, 9^ = lBPG,&c.

N o w , \ £ l + m + n = 0, the equation

, ^ , rnd^ nd^ I m n_
COS0, "*• COS0; "*' COS0, - "' "'• ;8, ^ •*" Z - "'
 Notes and Solutions to some of the Problems. 199

where jS,, 8^, 8^ are the circles described on the sides as

diameters, represents a circular cubic of which A , B, G are
centres of inversion. Hence
Iry + mry + nry = 0,
therefore, &c.

259. T h e equation
I m " n
fl?jCos0j d^coa9^ d^coa9^~ '
where Z 4 ot 4 m = 0, represents a circular cubic of which the
vertices of the triangle are the points S, TJ, V (see E x . 43).

268. Taking the point on the curve as origin we may

write the curve
y[x'' + f)+-+9x+fy = 0.
Transforming then to polar coordinates w e have from the
absolute term f = f + g c o t 9 , from which w e see that the
equation whose roots are ty, &c. is a homographic trans-
formation of the equation which determines the direction
of the tangents.

275. If a, /3, 7, 8 are the equations of the tangents, and

la + m ^ + n y + p 8 = 0. Identically,
I m n p ^
-+ a + - + s = 0
a /3 7 0
(Salmon's Gonics, Art. 297, E x . 15), represents a circular
cubic passing through the foci and the extremities of the
diagonals of an infinity of quadrilaterals, such as a, ^, y, 8,
circumscribed about the conic. N o w , if two tangents a, y8
to a conic make angles <p^, <f>^ with the locus of their inter-

section, it may be shown that -^—7- = -:—7-, where m„ m.,

' •' sin0, sin^jj' " *
have the same meaning as in the Note to E x . 7. But the
200 , Notes and Solutions to some of the Pfobl^m^.

, , ,1 V , o- « B ^ 1 sind), sin(^„,
tangent to the cubic at ap is ^ 4 = 0 , whence — f ^ = j
° I m ^ I m
therefore, -f = —' =? by symmetry, —^ = —*. Now from
the identity given above w e have 2Z cos 0 = 2? sin 0 = 2 ^ = 0,
therefore, &c.
For the system of quadrilaterals inscribed in a cubic and
circumscribed about a conic, see an article by Cayley,
lAouvillds Journal, tome X. p, 102,

291. This method of forming the differential equation

was given by Euler (see Enneper's Elliptische Funetionen,
p. 132).

315. When the point is on the curve, the conic breaks up

into the tangent at the point and a line on which the points
of contact of the tangents from the point lie. This theorem
was given by Dr. Casey.

343. The curve whose equation Is {ay-ay) {aj>^py)i+&c.=0,

can be shown to be> the locus of the intersection of tangents
at a pair of inverse points of the quartic (see Dr. Casey's
Memoir on Bicircular Quartics).

370. These expressions for the arc of the Cassinian were

given by Serret (see Liouvillds Journal, tome VIII. p. 495).

428. The arc of the curve J''' = a'cos30 is the area of the
inverse cubic / cos30 = a' (see then Note to E x . 226).

W. METCALFE AND SON, .PRINTERS, CAMBRIDGE.

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