CB :BL= GA:AL to show that the cquation is y? = cy - xy + ay – ac. Descartes stated, without proof, that this curve is a hyper- bola. Show that he was correct. FIGURE 14.21 Descartes' curve-drawing instrument

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This question is about one of Descarte's machines and showing that it draws a parabola. See attached. 

 

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This problem illustrates one of Descartes' machines (Fig.
14.21). Here GL is a ruler pivoting at G. It is linked at L
with a device CNKL that allows L to be moved along
AB, always keeping the line KN parallel to itself. The
intersection C of the two moving lines GL and KN de-
termines a curve. To find the equation of the curve, begin
by setting CB = y, BA = x, and the constants GA = a,
KL =b, and NL = c. Then find BK, BL, and AL in terms
of x, y, a, b, and c. Finally, use the similarity relation
Transcribed Image Text:This problem illustrates one of Descartes' machines (Fig. 14.21). Here GL is a ruler pivoting at G. It is linked at L with a device CNKL that allows L to be moved along AB, always keeping the line KN parallel to itself. The intersection C of the two moving lines GL and KN de- termines a curve. To find the equation of the curve, begin by setting CB = y, BA = x, and the constants GA = a, KL =b, and NL = c. Then find BK, BL, and AL in terms of x, y, a, b, and c. Finally, use the similarity relation
CB:BL = GA: AL to show that the equation is
y? = cy - xy +ay – ac.
Descartes stated, without proof, that this curve is a hyper-
bola. Show that he was correct.
B
FIGURE 14.21
Descartes' curve-drawing instrument
Transcribed Image Text:CB:BL = GA: AL to show that the equation is y? = cy - xy +ay – ac. Descartes stated, without proof, that this curve is a hyper- bola. Show that he was correct. B FIGURE 14.21 Descartes' curve-drawing instrument
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