[alogo] Braikenridge theorem

If a polygon with n sides is restricted to have all its vertices on fixed lines and n-1 of its sides pass through corresponding n-1 fixed points then its free side envelopes a conic.
This is a generalization of the inverse of Maclaurin's theorem (see Maclaurin.html ).
In the figure below it is illustrated in the case of a quadrangle ABCD. The four vertices of the quadrangle move correspondingly on four fixed lines. Also sides {AB, BC, CD} pass correspondingly from four fixed points {P, Q, R}. Then the free side DA envelopes a conic c.

[0_0] [0_1] [0_2] [0_3]
[1_0] [1_1] [1_2] [1_3]
[2_0] [2_1] [2_2] [2_3]

The proof of the theorem is a combination of the Chasles-Steiner generation of conics and the group property of Moebius transformations.
In fact,  the correspondence FP: A->B is described in line coordinates of the corresponding lines through a Moebius transformation.
                                                          b = (k1a+l1)/(m1a+n1).
Analogously are described by corresponding Moebius transformations the maps FQ:B->C and  FR: C->D.
Then points {A,D} of the free line of the quadrangle are related by the composition map.
                                                 F: A->D, with F = FR*FQ*FP  (* denoting composition).
This is again a Moebius transformation and the theorem follows, as claimed, from the Chasles-Steiner argument (see Chasles_Steiner.html ).
Obviously the proof generalizes to arbitrary n-gons.

See Also

Maclaurin.html
Chasles_Steiner.html

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