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Cross ratio

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double ratio, anharmonic ratio, of four points , , , on a straight line

A number denoted by the symbol and equal to

Here, the ratio is considered to be positive if the directions of the segments and coincide, and is considered to be negative if these directions are opposite. The cross ratio depends on the numbering of the points, which may or may not be the same as the order of their appearance on the straight line. As well as the cross ratio of four points, one may consider the cross ratio of four straight lines passing through a point. This ratio, which is denoted by the symbol , is equal to

and the angle between the straight lines and is considered together with its sign. If the points , , , lie on the straight lines , , , , one has

If the points , , , and , , , are obtained by the intersection of the same quadruple of straight lines , , , , then

The cross ratio is an invariant of projective transformations. A cross ratio equal to is known as a harmonic ratio (cf. Harmonic quadruple of points).


Comments

References

[a1] H.S.M. Coxeter, "Projective geometry" , Univ. Toronto Press (1974)
How to Cite This Entry:
Cross ratio. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Cross_ratio&oldid=14582
This article was adapted from an original article by E.G. Poznyak (originator), which appeared in Encyclopedia of Mathematics - ISBN 1402006098. See original article