Elementary surprises in projective geometry (Q608931): Difference between revisions

For a closed polygon \(P = \{p_1,\dots,p_n\}\) in the real projective plane, \(T_k(P)\) denotes the dual polygon \(\{\overline{p_1p_{k+1}},\dots,\overline{p_np_{k+n}}\}\) whose vertices are the consecutive \(k\)-diagonals of \(P\). The article is an easily accessible introduction to some results pertaining to the map \(T_k\) and inscribed/circumscribed polygons (polygons whose vertices lie on a conic or whose sides are tangent to a conic). Denoting projective equivalence by the symbol ``\(\sim\)'' and concatenation of \(T_a\) and \(T_b\) by \(T_{ab}\) the following hold true: ``If \(P\) is an inscribed \(6\)-gon then \(P \sim T_2(P)\).'', ``If \(P\) is an inscribed \(7\)-gon then \(P \sim T_{212}(P)\).'', ``If \(P\) is an inscribed \(8\)-gon then \(P \sim T_{21212}(P)\).'' The authors point out that this is not the beginning of the obvious infinite chain of theorems. Further particular results include: ``If \(P\) is a circumscribed \(9\)-gon, then \(P \sim T_{313}(P)\)'' or ``If \(P\) is an inscribed \(8\)-gon, then \(T_3(P)\) is circumscribed''. The article closes with the question whether these isolated finding are examples of a more general pattern.