first I draw the line A.D, more in length, accordyng to the measure of the side of E, as you see, from D. vnto F, and so the hole line of bothe these seuerall sides is A.F, thẽ make I a byas line from C, to F, whiche byas line is the measure of this woorke. wherefore I open my compas accordyng to the length of that byas line C.F, and set the one compas foote in A, and extend thother foote of the compas toward F, makyng this pricke G, from whiche I erect a plumbeline G.H, and so make out the square quadrate A.G.H.K, whose sides are equall eche of them to A.G. And this square doth contain the first quadrate A.B.C.D, and also a squire G.H.K, whiche is equall to the second quadrate E, for as the last conclusion declareth, the quadrate A.G.H.K, is equall to bothe the other quadrates proposed, that is A.B.C.D, and E. Then muste the squire G.H.K, needes be equall to E, consideryng that all the rest of that great quadrate is nothyng els but the quadrate self, A.B.C.D, and so haue I thintent of this conclusion.
[ THE .XXII. CONCLVSION.]
To find out the cẽtre of any circle assigned.
Draw a corde or stryngline crosse the circle, then deuide into .ij. equall partes, both that corde, and also the bowe line, or arche line, that serueth to that corde, and from the prickes of those diuisions, if you drawe an other line crosse the circle, it must nedes passe by the centre. Therfore deuide that line in the middle, and that middle pricke is the centre of the circle proposed.
Example.
Let the circle be A.B.C.D, whose centre I shall seke. First therfore I draw a corde crosse the circle, that is A.C. Then do I deuide that corde in the middle, in E, and likewaies also do I deuide his arche line A.B.C, in the middle, in the pointe B. Afterward I drawe a line from B. to E, and so crosse the
circle, whiche line is B.D, in which line is the centre that I seeke for. Therefore if I parte that line B.D, in the middle in to two equall portions, that middle pricke (which here is F) is the verye centre of the sayde circle that I seke. This conclusion may other waies be wrought, as the moste part of conclusions haue sondry formes of practise, and that is, by makinge thre prickes in the circũference of the circle, at liberty where you wyll, and then findinge the centre to those thre pricks, Which worke bicause it serueth for sondry vses, I think meet to make it a seuerall conclusion by it selfe.
[ THE XXIII. CONCLVSION.]
To find the commen centre belongyng to anye three prickes appointed, if they be not in an exacte right line.
It is to be noted, that though euery small arche of a greate circle do seeme to be a right lyne, yet in very dede it is not so, for euery part of the circumference of al circles is compassed, though in litle arches of great circles the eye cannot discerne the crokednes, yet reason doeth alwais declare it, therfore iij. prickes in an exact right line can not bee brought into the circumference of a circle. But and if they be not in a right line how so euer they stande, thus shall you find their cõmon centre. Opẽ your compas so wide, that it be somewhat more then the
halfe distance of two of those prickes. Then sette the one foote of the compas in the one pricke, and with the other foot draw an arche lyne toward the other pricke, Then againe putte the foot of your compas in the second pricke, and with the other foot make an arche line, that may crosse the firste arch line in ij. places. Now as you haue done with those two pricks, so do with the middle pricke, and the thirde that remayneth. Then draw ij. lines by the poyntes where those arche lines do crosse, and where those two lines do meete, there is the centre that you seeke for.