170. We shall now transform the result of Art. 168.

and let a, ẞ, y be three arcs determined by the equations

Since cos3a + cos2ß + cos2y = 1, it is obvious that there will be some point on the surface of the sphere, such that a, ß, y are the arcs which join it to A, B, C respectively; denote this point by U: then, by Art. 166,

and finally

cos TV = λ cos a +μ cos ß + v cos y ;

Σ = G cos TU.

Thus, whatever may be the position of T, the sum of the cosines of the arcs which join T to the fixed points varies as the cosine of the single arc which joins T to a certain fixed point U.

We might take G either positive or negative; it will be convenient to suppose it positive.

171. A sphere is described about a regular polyhedron ; from any point on the surface of the sphere arcs are drawn to the solid angles of the polyhedron: to shew that the sum of the cosines of these arçs is zero.

its greatest positive But by the symmetry more than one posiFor instance, if we

be

From the preceding Article we see that if G is not zero. there is one position of T which gives to value, namely, when T coincides with U. of a regular polyhedron there must always tion of T which gives the same value to Σ. take a regular tetrahedron, as there are four faces there will at least be three other positions of T symmetrical with any assigned position.

Hence G must be zero; and thus the sum of the cosines of the arcs which join T to the solid angles of the regular polyhedron is zero for all positions of T.

172. Since G= 0, it follows that P, Q, R must each be zero; these indeed are particular cases of the general result of Art. 171. See Art. 169.

173. The result obtained in Art. 171 may be shewn to hold also in some other cases. Suppose, for instance, that a rectangular parallelepiped is inscribed in a sphere; then the sum of the cosines of the arcs drawn from any point on the surface of the sphere to the solid angles of the parallelepiped is zero. For here it is obvious that there must always be at least one other position of T symmetrical with any assigned position. Hence by the argument of Art. 171 we must have G = 0.

174. Let there be any number of fixed points on the surface of a sphere; denote them by H,, H2, H,,... Let T be any point on the surface of the sphere. We shall now investigate a remarkable expression for the sum of the squares of the cosines of the arcs which join T with the fixed points.

Denote the sum by Σ; so that

Σ= cos3 TH1 + cos2 TH2+ cos3 TH ̧ +

1

2

....

Take on the surface of the sphere a fixed spherical triangle ABC, having all its sides quadrants, and therefore all its angles right angles.

Let λ, μ, v be the cosines of the arcs which join T with A, B, C respectively; let l, m, n, be the cosines of the angles which join H, with A, B, C respectively; and let a similar notation be used with respect to H„, H„......

Then, by Art. 166,

Expand each

Σ = (1,λ+m,μ + n ̧v)2 + (? ̧λ + m ̧μ+n ̧v)2 + square, and rearrange the terms; thus Σ = Pλ3 + Qμ2 + Rv2 + 2pμv + 2qvλ + 2rλμ, where P stands for l2 +13+13+

2

2

...

and p stands for m ̧n ̧ + m ̧n ̧ + M2n2 + with corresponding meanings for Q and q, and for R and r.

T. S. T.

K

We shall now shew that there is some position of the triangle ABC for which p, q, and r will vanish; so that we shall then have

Σ= PX3 + Qμ3 + Rv3.

Since is always a finite positive quantity there must be some position, or some positions, of T for which has the largest value which it can receive. Suppose that A has this position, or one of these positions if there are more than one. When T is at A we have μ and v each zero, and λ equal to unity, so that Σ is then equal to P.

ν

Hence, whatever be the position of T,

P is never less than PX+ Qu2 + Rv3 + 2pμv + 2qvλ + 2rλμ, that is, by Art. 165,

P (λ2 + μ3 + v2) is never less than

therefore

PX3 + Qμ2 + Rv3 + 2pμv + 2qvλ + 2rλμ ;

(P-Q) μ2 + (PR) is never less than 2ppv + 2qvλ + 2rλμ.

Now suppose v=0; then T is situated on the great circle of which AB is a quadrant, and whatever be the position of T we have

tan TB, and so may be made numerically as great as we please, positive or negative, by giving a suitable position to T. Thus

Hence with the specified position for A we arrive at the result that whatever may be the position of T

Σ = PX3 + Qu2 + Rv3 + 2pμv.

Let us now suppose that the position of B is so taken that when T coincides with B the value of Σ is as large as it can be for any point in the great circle of which A is the pole. When T is at B we have λ and v each zero, and μ equal to unity, so that Σ is then equal to Q. For any point in the great circle of which A is the pole λ is zero; and therefore for any such point

Q is not less than Qu2 + Rv2 + 2pμv,

that is, by Art. 165,

Q(μ2 + v3) is not less than Qu2 + Rv3 + 2pμv ;
2pμ

therefore Q-R is not less than ν

Hence by the same reasoning as before we must have p = 0.

Therefore we see that there must be some position of the triangle ABC, such that for every position of T

Σ = PX3 + Qμ3 + Rv3.

175. The remarks of Art. 169 are applicable to the result just obtained.

176. In the final result of Art. 174 we may shew that R is the least value which can receive. For, by Art. 165,

and by supposition neither P-R nor Q-R is negative, so that Σ cannot be less than R.

177. A sphere is described about a regular polyhedron; from any point on the surface of the sphere arcs are drawn to the solid angles of the polyhedron: it is required to find the sum of the

squares of the cosines of these arcs.

With the notation of Art. 174 we have

Σ= PX3 + Qμ3 + Rv3.

We shall shew that in the present case P, Q, and R must all be equal. For if they are not, one of them must be greater than each of the others, or one of them must be less than each of the others.

If possible let the former be the case; suppose that P is greater than Q, and greater than R.

this shews that is always less than P except when μ = 0 and v = 0: that is Σ is always less than P except when T is at A, or at the point of the surface which is diametrically opposite to A. But by the symmetry of a regular polyhedron there must always be more than two positions of T which give the same value to Σ. For instance if we take a regular tetrahedron, as there are four faces there will be at least three other positions of T symmetrical with any assigned position. Hence P cannot be greater than Q and greater than R.

In the same way we can shew that one of the three P, and R, cannot be less than each of the others.

Q,

Therefore P=Q=R; and therefore by Art. 165 for every position of T we have Σ= P.

where S is the number of the solid angles of the regular poly

hedron.