Geometrical Solutions Derived from Mechanics; a Treatise of ArchimedesArchimedes
History
Geometrical Solutions Derived from Mechanics; a Treatise of Archimedes
Archimedes
Geometry -- Early works to 1800
Let a sphere be cut by a plane through its center intersecting the
surface in the circle $\alpha\beta\gamma\delta$ [Fig.6],
$\alpha\gamma$ and $\beta\delta$ being two diameters of the circle
perpendicular to each other. Let a plane be constructed on
$\beta\delta$ perpendicular to $\alpha\gamma$. Then imagine a cone
whose base is the circle with the diameter $\beta\delta$, whose vertex
is at $\alpha$ and its lateral boundaries are $\beta\alpha$ and
$\alpha\delta$; let $\gamma\alpha$ be produced so that $\alpha\theta =
\gamma\alpha$, imagine the straight line $\theta\gamma$ to be a
scale-beam with its center at $\alpha$ and in the semi-circle
$\beta\alpha\delta$ draw a straight line $\xi o \| \beta\delta$; let
it cut the circumference of the semicircle in $\xi$ and $o$, the
lateral boundaries of the cone in $\pi$ and $\rho$, and $\alpha\gamma$
in $\epsilon$. On $\xi o$ construct a plane perpendicular to
$\alpha\epsilon$; it will intersect the hemisphere in a circle with
the diameter $\xi o$, and the cone in a circle with the diameter
$\pi\rho$. Now because $\alpha\gamma : \alpha\epsilon = \xi\alpha^2 :
\alpha\epsilon^2$ and $\xi\alpha^2 = \alpha\epsilon^2 + \epsilon\xi^2$
and $\alpha\epsilon = \epsilon\pi$, therefore $\alpha\gamma :
\alpha\epsilon = \xi\epsilon^2 + \epsilon\pi^2 : \epsilon\pi^2$. But
$\xi\epsilon^2 + \epsilon\pi^2 : \epsilon\pi^2$ = the circle with the
diameter $\xi o$ + the circle with the diameter $\pi\rho$ : the circle
with the diameter $\pi\rho$, and $\gamma\alpha = \alpha\theta$, hence
$\theta\alpha : \alpha\epsilon$ = the circle with the diameter $\xi o$
+ the circle with
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{\small Fig.~6.}
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the diameter $\pi\rho$ : circle with the diameter $\pi\rho$. Therefore
the two circles whose diameters are $\xi o$ and $\pi\rho$ in their
present position are in equilibrium at the point $\alpha$ with the
circle whose diameter is $\pi\rho$ if it is transferred and so
arranged at $\theta$ that $\theta$ is its center of gravity. Now
since the center of gravity of the two circles whose diameters are
$\xi o$ and $\pi\rho$ in their present position [is the point
$\epsilon$, but of the circle whose diameter is $\pi\rho$ when its
position is changed is the point $\theta$, then $\theta\alpha :
\alpha\epsilon$ = the circles whose diameters are] $\xi o$ [,$\pi\rho$
: the circle whose diameter is $\pi\rho$. In the same way if another
straight line in the] hemisphere $\beta\alpha\delta$ [is drawn $\|
\beta\delta$ and a plane is constructed] perpendicular to
[$\alpha\gamma$ the] two [circles produced in the cone and in the
hemisphere are in their position] in equilibrium at $\alpha$ [with the
circle which is produced in the cone] if it is transferred and
arranged on the scale at $\theta$. [Now if] the hemisphere and the
cone [are filled up with circles then all circles in the] hemisphere
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