(^,11

A p. I.
CONIC SECTIONS. 311
Fig. 432
\y
Coroll. Hence AB^ ; GE=: : C P'^-CA^ : PAF (/ig.43'2.). For let the cutting plane
of the opposite hyperbola intersect two circles parallel to the base in
111 and PM, and let the cone be cut by another plane parallel to the
base, passing through the centre C of the transverse axis, and let mn
bs the diameter of the circle made by such plane.
Th>n ACm, APK are similar, and AC : Cmy.AF : PK.
And as BCii, BPL are similar, BC : Cn ::BP : PL.
'I !i( refore, taking the rectangles of the corresponding terms,
BCx AC : Cnx Cm::BPx AP : PLx PK.
Hut BC= AC ;
Cm X Cu^Ct^ ; and PL x PK = PM'2.
I'herefore AO^ : C^^::APx BP : PRR
'I'hough Ct is not in the same plane, it is what is usually called the
souii-conjugate axis, and it agrees with what has been demonstrated
in the first part of this proposition.
1086. Theorem III. I/i the hyperhnla, the square
of
the semi-
conjugate axis is to the square
of
the semi-transverse axis as the sum
of the squares
of
the semi-conjugate axis and
of
the ordinate parallel to it is to the square
of
the
iihsvissas.
Let AB {jig. 4.S3.) be the transverse axis, GE the conjugate, C the cen- \
| /
trc of the figure, and PJNI an ordinate, then will
GE2 : AB2::CE2+PM2 : CP^.
For, by Theor. IL, CE^ : CA2::PM2 ; CP2-CA2,
And,
by
composition, CE2 : CA2::CE2+PM2 : CP2.
This demonstration may be also applied to what are called conjugate
hyperbolas.
1087. Theorem IV. In the hyperbola, the square
of
the distance
of
the
focus from the centre is equal to the sum
of
the squares
of
the semi-axes.
Let AB
{Jig.
434.) be the transverse axis, CE the semi-conjugate. In
AH, produced within the curve each way, let F be one focus; and
/
the
other, and let FG be ti-.e semi-parameter then CF2=CA2+ CE2.
For, by Theor. I., CA2 : CE2::FA x FB : FG2;
But, by ]n-operty of parameter, CA2 ; CE2::CE2 : FG2.
Therefore CE2= AF x FB= CF- CA
; Fig. i.^n.
And, by transposition, CF2=CA2+ CE2.
Coroll. 1. The two semi-axes, and the distance of the focus from the centre, are the sides
of a right-angled triangle CEA, of which the distance AE
is the distance of the focus from the centre.
Coroll. 2. The conjugate axis CE is a mean proportional
netween FA and FB, or between fB
and /A, for CE'-
=
(F2-CA = (CF+ CA) x (CF-CA)= BF x AF.
1088. Theoreji V. The difference of
the radius vectors
is equal to the transverse axis.
(Jig.
435.)
That is, /M-FM=AB= 2CA = 2CB.
For CA2 : CE2 ; : CP2- CA2 : PM2
;
And CE2=CF2-CA2.
Therefore CA2 : CF2-CA2:: CP2_ CA2 : PM2.
And by taking the rectangle of the extremes and means, and
dividing by CA2,
PM2
=
^^^^^'-CF2-CP2+ CA2;
Hut FP2
= (CP-CF)2=CP2=2CPx CF+CF2,
And FM2= PM2+FP2.
Therefore FM2= ^^1^'-2CP x CF+ CA2.
Now each side of this equation is a complete square.
Therefore, extracting the root of each number, FxM
=
CF> CI'
CA
-CA.
C I' X i " P
In the same manner we find _/"M=
~qj^

+ CA
;
And, subtracting the upper equation from the lower,/M FM = 'JCA.
Coroll. 1. Ilence is derived the common method of describing the liyperbolic curve
mechanically. Thus : In the transverse axis AB produced
(Jig. 435.), take the foci F,/,
and any point I in the straight line A B so produced. 'I'lien, with the radii A I, HI, and the