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:
“By the power elite, we refer to those political, economic, and military circles which as an intricate set of overlapping cliques share decisions having at least national consequences. In so far as national events are decided, the power elite are those who decide them.”
—C. Wright Mills (1916–1962)
“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)