Analytic Geometry for Technical Schools and Colleges

Abstract

THE great prominence given in the earlier chapters to curve-tracing, and the fact that the plotting of both algebraic and transcendental curves takes precedence of more purely mathematical treatments of the line, circle, and conic, renders this text-book peculiarly adapted in many respects to the requirements of engineering and other students whose main object is to obtain a thorough drilling in graphic methods. Such a student would do well to be guided by a teacher, as some early sections and examples are rather hard for first reading. In the later chapters the author has attempted to give an account of the properties usually treated in books on “Analytical Conies,” together with the graphic representation of imaginaries, and an introduction to analytical geometry of three dimensions. With this portion, he can hardly be said to have been so successful. His treatment of such matters as tangents, diameters, asymptotes, and poles and polars, is very incomplete, and not calculated to bring into prominence those general properties which render such lines of importance in the geometry of conies; indeed, we might go further and say that even where no actual inaccuracies exist in the text, it would require a previous knowledge of the subject in order to enable a student to read between the lines sufficiently to avoid falling into error. Moreover, too little attempt is made at “graduating” the course, easy and difficult sections alternating with each other, and there being rather a lack of that sequence and arrangement which is so helpful to the beginner. Those who find life too short to learn conies up to examination standard will, however, be able, by the aid of the examples and a little outside help, to obtain a very fair superficial knowledge of the subject.