This and the related propositions allow of numerous illustrations taken
from the schoolroom, as of door edges being perpendicular to the floor.
The pretended applications of these propositions are usually fictitious,
and the propositions are of value chiefly for their own interest and
because they are needed in subsequent proofs.
THEOREM. _The locus of a point equidistant from the faces of a dihedral
angle is the plane bisecting the angle._
By changing "plane" to "line," and by making other obvious changes to
correspond, this reduces to the analogous proposition of plane geometry.
The figure formed by the plane perpendicular to the edge is also the
figure of that analogous proposition. This at once suggests that there
are two planes in the locus, provided the planes of the dihedral angle
are taken as indefinite in extent, and that these planes are
perpendicular to each other. It may interest some of the pupils to draw
this general figure, analogous to the one in plane geometry.
THEOREM. _The projection of a straight line not perpendicular to a plane
upon that plane is a straight line._
In higher mathematics it would simply be said that the projection is a
straight line, the special case of the projection of a perpendicular
being considered as a line-segment of zero length. There is no
advantage, however, of bringing in zero and infinity in the course in
elementary geometry. The legitimate reason for the modern use of these
terms is seldom understood by beginners.
This subject of projection (Latin _pro-_, "forth," and _jacere_, "to
throw") is extensively used in modern mathematics and also in the
elementary work of the draftsman, and it will be referred to a little
later. At this time, however, it is well to call attention to the fact
that the projection of a straight line on a plane is a straight line or
a point; the projection of a curve may be a curve or it may be straight;
the projection of a point is a point; and the projection of a plane
(which is easily understood without defining it) may be a surface or it
may be a straight line. An artisan represents a solid by drawing its
projection upon two planes at right angles to each other, and a map
maker (cartographer) represents the surface of the earth by projecting
it upon a plane. A photograph of the class is merely the projection of
the class upon a photographic plate (plane), and when we draw a figure
in solid geometry, we merely project the solid upon the plane of the
paper.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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