Book IV

Construction of Rectilinear Figures In and Around Circles

Inscription and circumscription of triangles and of regular polygons in and about circles

Definitions

IV.def.1

A rectilineal figure is said to be inscribed in a rectilineal figure when the respective angles of the inscribed figure lie on the respective sides of that in which it is inscribed.

IV.def.2

Similarly a figure is said to be circumscribed about a figure when the respective sides of the circumscribed figure pass through the respective angles of that about which it is circumscribed.

IV.def.3

A rectilineal figure is said to be inscribed in a circle when each angle of the inscribed figure lies on the circumference of the circle.

IV.def.4

A rectilineal figure is said to be circumscribed about a circle, when each side of the circumscribed figure touches the circumference of the circle.

IV.def.5

Similarly a circle is said to be inscribed in a figure when the circumference of the circle touches each side of the figure in which it is inscribed.

IV.def.6

A circle is said to be circumscribed about a figure when the circumference of the circle passes through each angle of the figure about which it is circumscribed.

IV.def.7

A straight line is said to be fitted into a circle when its extremities are on the circumference of the circle.

Propositions

IV.1

Into a given circle to fit a straight line equal to a given straight line which is not greater than the diameter of the circle.

IV.2

In a given circle to inscribe a triangle equiangular with a given triangle.

IV.3

About a given circle to circumscribe a triangle equiangular with a given triangle.

IV.6

In a given circle to inscribe a square.

IV.7

About a given circle to circumscribe a square.

IV.8

In a given square to inscribe a circle.

IV.9

About a given square to circumscribe a circle.

IV.10

To construct an isosceles triangle having each of the angles at the base double of the remaining one.

IV.11

In a given circle to inscribe an equilateral and equiangular pentagon.

IV.12

About a given circle to circumscribe an equilateral and equiangular pentagon.

IV.13

In a given pentagon, which is equilateral and equiangular, to inscribe a circle.

IV.14

About a given pentagon, which is equilateral and equiangular, to circumscribe a circle.

IV.15

In a given circle to inscribe an equilateral and equiangular hexagon.

IV.16

In a given circle to inscribe a fifteen-angled figure which shall be both equilateral and equiangular.