In geometry, the seven circles theorem is a theorem about a certain arrangement of seven circles in the Euclidean plane. Specifically, given a chain of six circles all tangent to a seventh circle and each tangent to its two neighbors, the three lines drawn between opposite pairs of the points of tangency on the seventh circle all pass through the same point. Though elementary in nature, this theorem was not discovered until 1974 (by Evelyn, Money-Coutts, and Tyrrell).
Famous quotes containing the words circles and/or theorem:
“There are some circles in America where it seems to be more socially acceptable to carry a hand-gun than a packet of cigarettes.”
—Katharine Whitehorn (b. 1926)
“To insure the adoration of a theorem for any length of time, faith is not enough, a police force is needed as well.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)