Sidebilder
PDF
ePub

4

A SYLLABUS OF

(e) If equals are taken from equals the remainders are equal.

(ƒ) If equals are added to unequals the sums are
unequal, the greater sum being that which is
obtained from the greater magnitude.

(g) If equals are taken from unequals the remainders
are unequal, the greater remainder being that
which is obtained from the greater magnitude.
3. A Theorem is the formal statement of a proposition
that may be demonstrated from known propositions.
These known propositions may themselves be Theo-
rems or Axioms.

4. A Theorem consists of two parts, the hypothesis, or
that which is assumed, and the conclusion, or that
which is asserted to follow therefrom. Thus in the
typical Theorem

5.

If A is B, then C is D, (i)

the hypothesis is that A is B, and the conclusion, that C is D.

From the truth conveyed in this Theorem it necessarily follows:

If C is not D, then A is not B, (ii)

Two such Theorems as (i) and (ii) are said to be contrapositive, each of the other.

Two Theorems are said to be converse, each of the other, when the hypothesis of each is the conclusion of the other.

Thus,

If C is D, then A is B, (iii)

is the converse of the typical Theorem (i).
The contrapositive of the last Theorem, viz. :

If A is not B, then C is not D, (iv)

is termed the obverse of the typical Theorem (i). 6. Sometimes the hypothesis of a Theorem is complex, i. e. consists of several distinct hypotheses; in this case every Theorem formed by interchanging the conclusion and one of the hypotheses is a converse of the original Theorem.

7.

9.

The truth of a converse is not a logical consequence of the truth of the original Theorem, but requires independent investigation.

8. Hence the four associated Theorems (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) resolve themselves into two Theorems that are independent of one another, and two others that are always and necessarily true if the former are true; consequently it will never be necessary to demonstrate geometrically more than two of the four Theorems, care being taken that the two selected are not contrapositive each of the other. Rule of Conversion. If of the hypotheses of a group of demonstrated Theorems it can be said that one must be true, and of the conclusions that no two can be true at the same time, then the converse of every Theorem of the group will necessarily be true. OBS. The simplest example of such a group is presented when a Theorem and its obverse have been demonstrated, and the validity of the rule in this instance. is obvious from the circumstance that the converse of each of two such Theorems is the contrapositive of the other. Another example, of frequent occurrence in the elements of Geometry, is of the following type:

6

A SYLLABUS OF PLANE GEOMETRY.

IO.

If A is greater than B, C is greater than D.
If A is equal to B, C is equal to D.

If A is less than B, C is less than D.

Three such Theorems having been demonstrated geometrically, the converse of each is always and necessarily true.

Rule of Identity. If there is but one A, and but one B; then from the fact that A is B it necessarily follows that B is A.

OBS. This rule may be frequently applied with great advantage in the demonstration of the converse of an established Theorem.

DEF. 2.

THE STRAIGHT LINE.

DEFINITIONS.

DEF. 1. A point has position, but it has no magnitude. A line has position, and it has length, but neither breadth nor thickness. The extremities of a line are points, and the intersection of two lines is a point.

DEF. 3. A surface has position, and it has length and breadth, but not thickness. The boundaries of a surface, and the intersection of two surfaces, are lines.

DEF. 4.

A solid has position, and it has length, breadth, and thickness.

The boundaries of a solid are surfaces.

DEF. 5. A straight line is such that any part will, however placed, lie wholly on any other part, if its extremities are made to fall on that other part.

DEF. 6. A plane surface, or plane, is a surface in which any two points being taken the straight line that joins them lies wholly in that surface.

DEF. 7. A plane figure is a portion of a plane surface enclosed by a line or lines.

DEF. 8. A circle is a plane figure contained by one line, which is called the circumference, and is such that all straight

8

DEF. 9.

A SYLLABUS OF

This

lines drawn from a certain point within the figure to
the circumference are equal to one another.
point is called the centre of the circle.

A radius of a circle is a straight line drawn from the
centre to the circumference.

DEF. 10. A diameter of a circle is a straight line drawn through the centre and terminated both ways by the circumference.

[An angle is a simple concept incapable of definition, properly so called, but the nature of the concept may be explained as follows, and for convenience of reference it may be reckoned among the definitions.] DEF. 11. When two straight lines are drawn from the same point, they are said to contain, or to make with each other, a plane angle. The point is called the vertex, and the straight lines are called the arms, of the angle.

A line drawn from the vertex and turning about the vertex in the plane of the angle from the position of coincidence with one arm to that of coincidence with the other is said to turn through the angle: and the angle is greater as the quantity of turning is greater. Since the line may turn from the one position to the other in either of two ways, two angles are formed by two straight lines drawn from a point. These angles (which have a common vertex and common arms) are said to be conjugate. The greater of the two is called the major conjugate, and the smaller the minor conjugate, angle.

When the angle contained by two lines is spoken of without qualification, the minor conjugate angle is to

« ForrigeFortsett »