Page:The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy - 1729 - Volume 2.djvu/19

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line, which, if drawn, would touch the Hyperbola GTS in G, is parallel to DK, and therefore Tt is , and N is : And therefore Vr is , that is, (because DR and DC, DV and DP are proportionals) to ; and the latus rectum comes out , that is, (because QB and CK, DA and AC are proportional) , and therefore is to 2DP, as DP x DA to CP x CP; that is, as the resistance to the gravity. Q. E. D.

Cor. 4. Hence if a body be projected from any place D, with a given velocity, in the direction of a right line DP given by poſition; and the reſiſtance of the medium, at the beginning of the motion, be given: the curve DraF, which that body will deſcribe, may be found. For the velocity being given, the latus rectum of the parabola is given, as is well known. And taking 2DP to that latus rectum, as the force of gravity to the reſiſting force, DP is alſo given. Then cutting DC in A, ſo that CP x AC may be to DP x DA in the ſame ratio of the gravity to the resistance, the point A will be given. And hence the curve DraF is alſo given.

Cor. 5. And on the contrary, if the curve DraF be given, there will be given both the velocity of the body and the reſiſtance of the medium in each of the places r. For the ratio of CP x AC to DP x DA being given, there is given both the reſiſtance of the medium at the beginning of the motion, and the latus rectum of the parabola; and thence the velocity at the