The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 01 (of 11)
Thomas Hobbes · en
In B A produced let A V be taken equal to the sine of 45 degrees; and
drawing and producing V H, it will cut the arch of the quadrant C N A in
the midst in N, and the same arch again in O, and the strait line D C in
T, so that D T will be equal to the sine of 45 degrees, or to the strait
line A V; also the strait line V H will be equal to the strait line H I,
or the sine of 60 degrees.
For the square of A V is equal to two squares of the semiradius; and
consequently the square of V H is equal to three squares of the
semiradius. But H I is a mean proportional between the semiradius and
three semiradii; and, therefore, the square of H I is equal to three
squares of the semiradius. Wherefore H I is equal to H V. But because A
D is cut in the midst in H, therefore V H and H T are equal; and,
therefore, also D T is equal to the sine of 45 degrees. In the radius B
A let B X be taken equal to the sine of 45 degrees; for so V X will be
equal to the radius; and it will be as V A to A H the semiradius, so V X
the radius to X N the sine of 45 degrees. Wherefore V H produced passes
through N. Lastly, upon the centre V with the radius V A let the arch of
a circle be drawn cutting V H in Y; which being done, V Y will be equal
to H O (for H O is, by construction, equal to the sine of 45 degrees)
and Y H will be equal to O T; and, therefore, V T passes through O. All
which was to be demonstrated.
I will here add certain problems, of which if any analyst can make the
construction, he will thereby be able to judge clearly of what I have
now said concerning the dimension of a circle. Now these problems are
nothing else (at least to sense) but certain symptoms accompanying the
construction of the first and third figure of this chapter.
Describing, therefore, again, the square A B C D (in fig. 5) and the
three quadrants A B D, B C A and D A C, let the diagonals A C and B D be
drawn, cutting the arches B H D and C I A in the middle in H and I; and
the strait lines E F and G L, dividing the square A B C D into four
equal squares, and trisecting the arches B H D and C I A, namely, B H D
in K and M, and C I A in M and O. Then dividing the arch B K in the
midst in P, let Q P the sine of the arch B P, be drawn and produced to
R, so that Q R be double to Q P; and, connecting K R, let it be produced
one way to B C in S, and the other way to B A produced in T. Also let B
V be made triple to B S, and consequently, (by the second article of
this chapter) equal to the arch B D. This construction is the same with
that of the first figure, which I thought fit to renew discharged of all
lines but such as are necessary for my present purpose.