11. If a tangent be made the diameter of a circle, whose centre is the point of contact, a strait line drawn from the centre of the former circle to the centre of the latter circle, will make two angles with the tangent, that is, with the diameter of the latter circle, equal to two right angles, by the last article. And because, by the 6th article, the tangent has on both sides equal inclination to the circle, each of them will be a right angle; as also the semidiameter will be perpendicular to the same tangent. Moreover, the semidiameter, inasmuch as it is the semidiameter, is the least strait line which can be drawn from the centre to the tangent; and every other strait line, that reaches the tangent, will pass out of the circle, and will therefore be greater than the semidiameter. In like manner, of all the strait lines, which may be drawn from the centre to the tangent, that is the greatest which makes the greatest angle with the perpendicular; which will be manifest, if about the same centre another circle be described, whose semidiameter is a strait line taken nearer to the perpendicular, and there be drawn a perpendicular, that is, a tangent, to the same.

From whence it is also manifest, that if two strait lines, which make equal angles on either side of the perpendicular, be produced to the tangent, they will be equal.

12. There is in Euclid a definition of strait-lined parallels; but I do not find that parallels in general are anywhere defined; and therefore for an universal definition of them, I say that any two lines whatsoever, strait or crooked, as also any two superficies, are PARALLEL; when two equal strait lines, wheresoever they fall upon them, make always equal angles with each of them.

From which definition it follows; first, that any two strait lines, not inclined opposite ways, falling upon two other strait lines, which are parallel, and intercepting equal parts in both of them, are themselves also equal and parallel. As if A B and C D (in the third figure), inclined both the same way, fall upon the parallels A C and B D, and A C and B D be equal, A B and C D will also be equal and parallel. For the perpendiculars B E and D F being drawn, the right angles E B D and F D H will be equal. Wherefore, seeing E F and B D are parallel, the angles E B A and F D C will be equal. Now if D C be not equal to B A, let any other strait line equal to B A be drawn from the point D; which, seeing it cannot fall upon the point C, let it fall upon G. Wherefore A G will be either greater or less than B D; and therefore the angles E B A and F D C are not equal, as was supposed. Wherefore A B and C D are equal; which is the first.

Again, because they make equal angles with the perpendiculars B E and D F; therefore the angle C D H will be equal to the angle A B D, and, by the definition of parallels, A B and C D will be parallel; which is the second.

That plane, which is included both ways within parallel lines, is called a PARALLELOGRAM.

Coroll. I. From this last it follows, that the angles A B D and C D H are equal, that is, that a strait line, as B H, falling upon two parallels, as A B and C D, makes the internal angle A B D equal to the external and opposite angle C D H.

Coroll. II. And from hence again it follows, that a strait line falling upon two parallels, makes the alternate angles equal, that is, the angle A G F, in the fourth figure, equal to the angle G F D. For seeing G F D is equal to the external opposite angle E G B, it will be also equal to its vertical angle A G F, which is alternate to G F D.

Coroll. III. That the internal angles on the same side of the line F G are equal to two right angles. For the angles at F, namely, G F C and G F D, are equal to two right angles. But G F D is equal to its alternate angle A G F. Wherefore both the angles G F C and A G F, which are internal on the same side of the line F G, are equal to two right angles.

Coroll. IV. That the three angles of a strait-lined plain triangle are equal to two right angles; and any side being produced, the external angle will be equal to the two opposite internal angles. For if there be drawn by the vertex of the plain triangle A B C (fig. 5) a parallel to any of the sides, as to A B, the angles A and B will be equal to their alternate angles E and F, and the angle C is common. But, by the 10th article, the three angles E, C and F, are equal to two right angles; and therefore the three angles of the triangle are equal to the same; which is the first. Again, the two angles B and D are equal to two right angles, by the 10th article. Wherefore taking away B, there will remain the angles A and C, equal to the angle D; which is the second.

Coroll. V. If the angles A and B be equal, the sides A C and C B will also be equal, because A B and E F are parallel; and, on the contrary, if the sides A C and C B be equal, the angles A and B will also be equal. For if they be not equal, let the angles B and G be equal. Wherefore, seeing G B and E F are parallels, and the angles G and B equal, the sides G C and C B will also be equal; and because C B and A C are equal by supposition, C G and C A will also be equal; which cannot be, by the 11th article.

Coroll. VI. From hence it is manifest, that if two radii of a circle be connected by a strait line, the angles they make with that connecting line will be equal to one another; and if there be added that segment of the circle, which is subtended by the same line which connects the radii, then the angles, which those radii make with the circumference, will also be equal to one another. For a strait line, which subtends any arch, makes equal angles with the same; because, if the arch and the subtense be divided in the middle, the two halves of the segment will be congruous to one another, by reason of the uniformity both of the circumference of the circle, and of the strait line.

13. Perimeters of circles are to one another, as their semidiameters are. For let there be any two circles, as, in the first figure, B C D the greater, and E F G the lesser, having their common centre at A; and let their semidiameters be A C and A E. I say, A C has the same proportion to A E, which the perimeter B C D has to the perimeter E F G. For the magnitude of the semidiameters A C and A E is determined by the distance of the points C and E from the centre A; and the same distances are acquired by the uniform motion of a point from A to C, in such manner, that in equal times the distances acquired be equal. But the perimeters B C D and E F G are also determined by the same distances of the points C and E from the centre A; and therefore the perimeters B C D and E F G, as well as the semidiameters A C and A E, have their magnitudes determined by the same cause, which cause makes, in equal times, equal spaces. Wherefore, by the 13th chapter and 6th article, the perimeters of circles and their semidiameters are proportionals; which was to be proved.

14. If two strait lines, which constitute an angle, be cut by strait-lined parallels, the intercepted parallels will be to one another, as the parts which they cut off from the vertex. Let the strait lines A B and A C, in the 6th figure, make an angle at A, and be cut by the two strait-lined parallels B C and D E, so that the parts cut off from the vertex in either of those lines, as in A B, may be A B and A D. I say, the parallels B C and D E are to one another, as the parts A B and A D. For let A B be divided into any number of equal parts, as into A F, F D, D B; and by the points F and D, let F G and D E be drawn parallel to the base B C, and cut A C in G and E; and again, by the points G and E, let other strait lines be drawn parallel to A B, and cut B C in H and I. If now the point A be understood to be moved uniformly over A B, and in the same time B be moved to C, and all the points F, D, and B be moved uniformly and with equal swiftness over F G, D E, and B C; then shall B pass over B H, equal to F G, in the same time that A passes over A F; and A F and F G will be to one another, as their velocities are; and when A is in F, D will be in K; when A is in D, D will be in E; and in what manner the point A passes by the points F, D, and B, in the same manner the point B will pass by the points H, I, and C; and the strait lines F G, D K, K E, B H, H I, and I C, are equal, by reason of their parallelism; and therefore, as the velocity in A B is to the velocity in B C, so is A D to D E; but as the velocity in A B is to the velocity in B C, so is A B to B C; that is to say, all the parallels will be severally to all the parts cut off from the vertex, as A F is to F G. Wherefore, A F. G F :: A D. D E :: A B. B C are proportionals.

The subtenses of equal angles in different circles, as the strait lines B C and F E (in fig. 1), are to one another as the arches which they subtend. For (by art. 8) the arches of equal angles are to one another as their perimeters are; and (by art. 13) the perimeters as their semidiameters; but the subtenses B C and F E are parallel to one another by reason of the equality of the angles which they make with the semidiameters; and therefore the same subtenses, by the last precedent article, will be proportional to the semidiameters, that is, to the perimeters, that is, to the arches which they subtend.

15. If in a circle any number of equal subtenses be placed immediately after one another, and strait lines be drawn from the extreme point of the first subtense to the extreme points of all the rest, the first subtense being produced will make with the second subtense an external angle double to that, which is made by the same first subtense, and a tangent to the circle touching it in the extreme points thereof; and if a strait line which subtends two of those arches be produced, it will make an external angle with the third subtense, triple to the angle which is made by the tangent with the first subtense; and so continually. For with the radius A B (in fig. 7) let a circle be described, and in it let any number of equal subtenses, B C, C D, and D E, be placed; also let B D and B E be drawn; and by producing B C, B D and B E to any distance in G, H and I, let them make angles with the subtenses which succeed one another, namely, the external angles G C D, and H D E. Lastly, let the tangent K B be drawn, making with the first subtense the angle K B C. I say the angle G C D is double to the angle K B C, and the angle H D E triple to the same angle K B C. For if A C be drawn cutting B D in M, and from the point C there be drawn L C perpendicular to the same A C, then C L and M D will be parallel, by reason of the right angles at C and M; and therefore the alterne angles L C D and B D C will be equal: as also the angles B D C and C B D will be equal, because of the equality of the strait lines B C and C D. Wherefore the angle G C D is double to either of the angles C B D or C D B; and therefore also the angle G C D is double to the angle L C D, that is, to the angle K B C. Again, C D is parallel to B E, by reason of the equality of the angles C B E and D E B, and of the strait lines C B and D E; and therefore the angles G C D and G B E are equal; and consequently G B E, as also D E B is double to the angle K B C. But the external angle H D E is equal to the two internal D E B and D B E; and therefore the angle H D E is triple to the angle K B C, &c.; which was to be proved.

Coroll. I. From hence it is manifest, that the angles K B C and C B D, as also, that all the angles that are comprehended by two strait lines meeting in the circumference of a circle and insisting upon equal arches, are equal to one another.

Coroll. II. If the tangent B K be moved in the circumference with uniform motion about the centre B, it will in equal times cut off equal arches; and will pass over the whole perimeter in the same time in which itself describes a semiperimeter about the centre B.

Coroll. III. From hence also we may understand, what it is that determines the bending or curvation of a strait line into the circumference of a circle; namely, that it is fraction continually increasing in the same manner, as numbers, from one upwards, increase by the continual addition of unity. For the indefinite strait line K B being broken in B according to any angle, as that of K B C, and again in C according to a double angle, and in D according to an angle which is triple, and in E according to an angle which is quadruple to the first angle, and so continually, there will be described a figure which will indeed be rectilineal, if the broken parts be considered as having magnitude; but if they be understood to be the least that can be, that is, as so many points, then the figure described will not be rectilineal, but a circle, whose circumference will be the broken line.

Coroll. IV. From what has been said in this present article, it may also be demonstrated, that an angle in the centre is double to an angle in the circumference of the same circle, if the intercepted arches be equal. For seeing that strait line, by whose motion an angle is determined, passes over equal arches in equal times, as well from the centre as from the circumference; and while that, which is from the circumference, is passing over half its own perimeter, it passes in the same time over the whole perimeter of that which is from the centre, the arches, which it cuts off in the perimeter whose centre is A, will be double to those, which it makes in its own semiperimeter, whose centre is B. But in equal circles, as arches are to one another, so also are angles.

16. An angle of contingence, if it be compared with an angle simply so called, how little soever, has such proportion to it as a point has to a line; that is, no proportion at all, nor any quantity. For first, an angle of contingence is made by continual flexion; so that in the generation of it there is no circular motion at all, in which consists the nature of an angle simply so called; and therefore it cannot be compared with it according to quantity. Secondly, seeing the external angle made by a subtense produced and the next subtense is equal to an angle from the centre insisting upon the same arch, as in the last figure the angle G C D is equal to the angle C A D, the angle of contingence will be equal to that angle from the centre, which is made by A B and the same A B; for no part of a tangent can subtend any arch; but as the point of contact is to be taken for the subtense, so the angle of contingence is to be accounted for the external angle, and equal to that angle whose arch is the same point B.

17. An angle, which is made by two planes, is commonly called the inclination of those planes; and because planes have equal inclination in all their parts, instead of their inclination an angle is taken, which is made by two strait lines, one of which is in one, the other in the other of those planes, but both perpendicular to the common section.

18. A solid angle may be conceived two ways. First, for the aggregate of all the angles, which are made by the motion of a strait line, while one extreme point thereof remaining fixed, it is carried about any plain figure, in which the fixed point of the strait line is not contained. And in this sense, it seems to be understood by Euclid. Now it is manifest, that the quantity of a solid angle so conceived is no other, than the aggregate of all the angles in a superficies so described, that is, in the superficies of a pyramidal solid. Secondly, when a pyramis or cone has its vertex in the centre of a sphere, a solid angle may be understood to be the proportion of a spherical superficies subtending that vertex to the whole superficies of the sphere. In which sense, solid angles are to one another as the spherical bases of solids, which have their vertex in the centre of the same sphere.

19. All the ways, by which two lines respect one another, or all the variety of their position, may be comprehended under four kinds; for any two lines whatsoever are either parallels, or being produced, if need be, or moved one of them to the other parallelly to itself, they make an angle; or else, by the like production and motion, they touch one another; or lastly, they are asymptotes. The nature of parallels, angles, and tangents, has been already declared. It remains that I speak briefly of the nature of asymptotes.

Asymptosy depends upon this, that quantity is infinitely divisible. And from hence it follows, that any line being given, and a body supposed to be moved from one extreme thereof towards the other, it is possible, by taking degrees of velocity always less and less, in such proportion as the parts of the line are made less by continual division, that the same body may be always moved forwards in that line, and yet never reach the end of it. For it is manifest, that if any strait line, as A F, (in the 8th figure) be cut anywhere in B, and again B F be cut in C, and C F in D, and D F in E, and so eternally, and there be drawn from the point F, the strait line F F at any angle A F F; and lastly, if the strait lines A F, B F, C F, D F, E F, &c., having the same proportion to one another with the segments of the line A F, be set in order and parallel to the same A F, the crooked line A B C D E, and the strait line F F, will be asymptotes, that is, they will always come nearer and nearer together, but never touch one another. Now, because any line may be cut eternally according to the proportions which the segments have to one another, therefore the divers kinds of asymptotes are infinite in number, and not necessary to be further spoken of in this place. In the nature of asymptotes in general there is no more, than that they come still nearer and nearer, but never touch. But in special in the asymptosy of hyperbolic lines, it is understood they should approach to a distance less than any given quantity.

20. Situation is the relation of one place to another; and where there are many places, their situation is determined by four things; by their distances from one another; by several distances from a place assigned; by the order of strait lines drawn from a place assigned to the places of them all; and by the angles which are made by the lines so drawn. For if their distances, order, and angles, be given, that is, be certainly known, their several places will also be so certainly known, as that they can be no other.

21. Points, how many soever they be, have like situation with an equal number of other points, when all the strait lines, that are drawn from some one point to all these, have severally the same proportion to those, that are drawn in the same order and at equal angles from some one point to all those. For let there be any number of points as A, B, and C, (in the 9th figure) to which from some one point D let the strait lines D A, D B, and D C be drawn; and let there be an equal number of other points, as E, F, and G, and from some point H let the strait lines H E, H F, and H G be drawn, so that the angles A D B and B D C be severally and in the same order equal to the angles E H F and F H G, and the strait lines D A, D B, and D C proportional to the strait lines H E, H F, and H G; I say, the three points A, B, and C, have like situation with the three points E, F, and G, or are placed alike. For if H E be understood to be laid upon D A, so that the point H be in D, the point F will be in the strait line D B, by reason of the equality of the angles A D B and E H F; and the point G will be in the strait line D C, by reason of the equality of the angles B D C and F H G; and the strait lines A B and E F, as also B C and F G, will be parallel, because A D. E H :: B D. F H :: C D. G H are proportionals by construction; and therefore the distances between the points A and B, and the points B and C, will be proportional to the distances between the points E and F, and the points F and G. Wherefore, in the situation of the points A, B, and C, and the situation of the points E, F and G, the angles in the same order are equal; so that their situations differ in nothing but the inequality of their distances from one another, and of their distances from the points D and H. Now, in both the orders of points, those inequalities are equal; for A B. B C :: E F. F G, which are their distances from one another, as also D A. D B. D C :: H E. H F. H G, which are their distances from the assumed points D and H, are proportionals. Their difference, therefore, consists solely in the magnitude of their distances. But, by the definition of like, (chapter I. article 2) those things, which differ only in magnitude, are like. Wherefore the points A, B, and C, have to one another like situation with the points E, F, and G, or are placed alike; which was to be proved.

Figure is quantity, determined by the situation or placing of all its extreme points. Now I call those points extreme, which are contiguous to the place which is without the figure. In lines therefore and superficies, all points may be called extreme; but in solids only those which are in the superficies that includes them.

Like figures are those, whose extreme points in one of them are all placed like all the extreme points in the other; for such figures differ in nothing but magnitude.

And like figures are alike placed, when in both of them the homologal strait lines, that is, the strait lines which connect the points which answer one another, are parallel, and have their proportional sides inclined the same way.

And seeing every strait line is like every other strait line, and every plane like every other plane, when nothing but planeness is considered; if the lines, which include planes, or the superficies, which include solids, have their proportions known, it will not be hard to know whether any figure be like or unlike to another propounded figure.

And thus much concerning the first grounds of philosophy. The next place belongs to geometry; in which the quantities of figures are sought out from the proportions of lines and angles. Wherefore it is necessary for him, that would study geometry, to know first what is the nature of quantity, proportion, angle and figure. Having therefore explained these in the three last chapters, I thought fit to add them to this part; and so pass to the next.