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When is between and , (Fig. 44.) and the image is part of an ellipse, namely, all but that part, which we found in the first case.

If we suppose to go outside of the circle beyond , (Fig. 46.) we shall be led to the case of a convex mirror.

Our equation will still be

and the image will in all cases be a part of an ellipse, turning its convexity towards .

When is on the circle at , (Fig. 45.) the image extends from that point both ways to the bisection of the radii which are parallel to .

When is at an infinite distance from , the image is a semi-circle with centre , and radius .

45.We may now show how the curve of the image, which we have in different cases found to be a part of a conic section, may be supposed to be completed.

Supposing in all cases the line to be infinite in extent each way.

In the first place, when is at an infinite distance, (Fig. 47.) the semi-circle representing a concave mirror gives a semi-circular image and the convex mirror represented by gives the image , which completes the circle.

When is at a finite distance outside the circle, the concave and convex parts give together a complete ellipse , (Fig. 48.).

When is on the circle at , the ellipse is such as represented in Fig. 49, where is two-thirds of

When is between and , the ellipse cuts the circle, (Fig. 50.)

When is at the middle point of , (Fig. 51.) the two parts of the circle divided by the line, unite to produce a complete parabola.