314

THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE. Book IT.

1O06. Theouem I. In the parabola, the abscissas are proportional to the squares
of
their
oriiinales.
Let QVN
(^fig.
44f2.) be a section of the cone passing along the axis, and let the direc-
trix RX pass through the point
Q
perpendicular to Q.N, and let the
|>arabolic section be AUI meeting the base QIND of the cone in
the line DI, and the diameter QN in the point H
;
also let KMI^ be
u fioction of the cone parallel to the base QIN intersecting the plane
VQN in the line KL, and tlie section AUI in PM. Let P he the
point of concourse of the three planes QVN, KML, A HI, and
let II be the point of concourse of the three planes QVN, KML,
AHI; then, because the planes VRX and ADI are |)arallel, and
the plane VQN is i)erpendicular to the plane VRX, the plane ADI
is also perpendicular to the plane VQN. Again, because the plane
QIN is perpendicular to the plane QVN, and the plane KML is
l)arallel to the plane QIN, tlie plane KML is perpendicular to the
plane QVN; therefore the common sections PM and HI are per-
pendicular to the plane VQN
;
and because the plane KML is pa-
r.iUel to the plane QIN; and these two planes are intersected by
the plane QVN, their common sections KL and QN are parallel. Also, since PM"
are each perpendicular to the plane QVN, and since KL is the common section of tlie
[)lanes QVN, KML, and QN in the common section of the planes QVN, QIN; theref<>r
I'M and HI are perpendicular respectively to KL and QN.
Consequently AP : AH
: : PM-! : \U\
For, by the similar triangles APL, AHN, AP : AH::PL
:
UN,
Or
AP : AH::KPx PL : KPx UN.
IJut, by the circle KML, KP x PL= PM'^,
And, by the circle
QIN, QH x HN^III-'. ButQll^KP,
'i'hei efore
K P x HN = H
I
'i.
Therefore, by substitution. AP : AH
: :
PM^
: \\V\
Coroll. By the definition of the parameter, which we shall call P,
AP : PM::PM :
P=t^',
And P X AP=PM2, or P X AH= IIL2.
Therefore P :
PM::PM : AP, or P : HI
:: HI : AH.
10;)7. Thkorf.m II. As the parameter
of
the axis is to (he sum
of
any two ordinntes, so if
the difference
of
these ordinates to the difference of
their abscissas.
id HI
That is, P : HI+PM-
For since bs'
Cor. Thuor. I.
HI-PM
:
PM2
1112
'
AH
'
AH-AP.
Multii)lyii. the first of these eciuations by AP and the second by AH,
AP=PM!,
AII = HI^.
they become
fPx
\Px
Subtract the corresponding numbers of the first equation, and P(AII
AP)=HI- PM-.
But the difference of two squares is equal to a rectangle under the sum and difference of
ilieir sides.
And Hr2-PM'2
= (HI+PM) (HI-PM).
Therefore P (AH
-
AP) - (HI + PM) (HI- PM).
Conse(piently P : H I + PM
:
: HI
-
PM : A H
-
A P
;
Or, by drawing KM parallel to AH, we have GK= PM+ HI, and KI = HI-PM
;
and
since PH = AH-AP; P ; GK::KI : PH, or KM.
Coroll. Hence, because P x KM = GK x KI
;
And since Hr^=PxAH;
Therefore, by multiplication, KiAI x H
12 = G K x KI x A H, or
^
AH :-KM::Hr'' : gKx ki.
So that any diameter 31 K is as the rectangle of the segments GK,
Kl of the double ordinate G I. From this a simple method has been
used of finding points in the curve, so as to describe it.
1098. Theorem III. The distance between the vertex
of
the curve and
Kic. its.
'he focus
is equal to one fourth of
tlie parameter.
Let LG
(^fy-
445.) be a double ordinate jtassing through the focus, then LG is llu-
]>r,raiiu!ter. For by the definition of parameter AF ; FG::FG : P = 'iFG
Therefore 2 A F= FG =
J
LG
;
Consequently AF =|LG.