The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 01 (of 11)
Thomas Hobbes · en
It remains that I prove L O to be greater than G N; which I shall do in
this manner. L O and G N cut one another in P; and P L is greater than P
G. Seeing now L P. P G :: P N. P O are proportionals, therefore the two
extremes L P and P O together taken, that is L O, are greater than P G
and P N together taken, that is, G N; which remained to be proved.
[Sidenote: In equal chords the same is not true.]
7. But if two equal chords be drawn through one point within a circle,
and the lines reflected from them meet in another point, then another
strait line may be drawn between them through the former point, whose
reflected line shall pass through the latter point.
Let the two equal chords B C and E D (in the 7th figure) cut one another
in the point A within the circle B C D; and let their reflected lines C
H and D I meet in the point F. Then dividing the arch C D equally in G,
let the two chords G K and G L be drawn through the points A and F. I
say, G L will be the line reflected from the chord K G. For the four
chords B C, C H, E D and D I are by supposition all equal to one
another; and therefore the arch B C H is equal to the arch E D I; as
also the angle B C H to the angle E D I; and the angle A M C to its
verticle angle F M D; and the strait line D M to the strait line G M;
and, in like manner, the strait line A C to the strait line F D; and the
chords C G and G D being drawn, will also be equal; and also the angles
F D G and A C G, in the equal segments G D I and G C B. Wherefore the
strait lines F G and A G are equal; and, therefore, the angle F G D is
equal to the angle A G C, that is, the angle of incidence equal to the
angle of reflection. Wherefore the line G L is reflected from the
incident line C G; which was to be proved.
Coroll. By the very sight of the figure it is manifest, that if G be not
the middle point between C and D, the reflected line G L will not pass
through the point F.
[Sidenote: Two points being given in the circumference of a circle, to
draw two strait lines to them so as that their reflected
lines may contain any angle given.]
8. Two points in the circumference of a circle being given to draw two
strait lines to them, so as that their reflected lines may be parallel,
or contain any angle given.
In the circumference of the circle, whose centre is A, (in the 8th
figure) let the two points B and C be given; and let it be required to
draw to them from two points taken without the circle two incident
lines, so that their reflected lines may, first, be parallel.