You are on page 1of 180

Geometry Expressions Manual

Saltire Software
PO Box 230755 Tigard, OR 97281 0755

Geometry Expressions Manual

Contents
I. Solving Geometry Problems with Geometry Expressions....................... 9 Constraints and Constructions: Two Ways to Work.......................... 10 Constraint-based Drawing ......................................................... 11 Construction-based Drawing ..................................................... 12 How Does Geometry Expressions Solve Problems?........................ 15 The Internal Construction Sequence ......................................... 15 Application-added Variables...................................................... 17 Resolving Ambiguity.................................................................. 19 Constraint Conflicts ................................................................... 20 Calculating Output ............................................................................ 27 Eliminating Absolute Values ...................................................... 27 Using Intermediate Variables .................................................... 29 Controlling Variables ........................................................................ 32 Assignment ............................................................................... 32 Locking...................................................................................... 33 Animation .................................................................................. 33 Importing and Exporting Expressions ............................................... 36 Performance Tips ............................................................................. 37 II. Geometry Expressions Tutorials.......................................................... 39 Tutorial 1: Define and solve a problem. ............................................ 40 Explore the user interface. ........................................................ 40 Define a problem. ...................................................................... 44 Calculate output. ....................................................................... 46 Resolve a constraint conflict...................................................... 47
page 3

Geometry Expressions Manual

Make your own expression........................................................ 51 Tutorial 2: Create and manipulate a curve........................................ 53 Draw a locus.............................................................................. 53 Lock a variable. ......................................................................... 57 Animate a variable..................................................................... 57 Calculate parametric and implicit equations. ............................. 58 Make the locus reflection........................................................... 58 Compare locus and reflection equations. .................................. 59 Explore on your own.................................................................. 60 III. Examples............................................................................................ 61 Example 1: Example 2: Example 3: Example 4: Example 5: Example 6: Example 7: Circumcircle Radius ............................................. 62 Radius of arc offset from line segment................. 63 Length of the Angle Bisector of a triangle ............ 64 A Family of Circles ............................................... 65 Circle of Apollonius .............................................. 66 Caustics in a cup of coffee................................... 67 Two Quadratic Splines......................................... 68

IV. User Interface Reference ................................................................... 71 Need Help? ............................................................................... 71 The Display and How It's Organized ......................................... 72 The Status Bar .......................................................................... 73 Customizing Your Display ......................................................... 73 Adjusting the Default Settings .......................................................... 78 File Handling .................................................................................... 81 Working with Algebra Systems......................................................... 82 MathML ..................................................................................... 82 Working with Maple ................................................................... 85
page 4

Geometry Expressions Manual

Working with Mathematica ........................................................ 87 Working with Other Program ..................................................... 89 Drawing Tools .................................................................................. 90 Add a Point................................................................................ 90 The Line Segment Tool ............................................................. 91 Drawing Lines............................................................................ 92 Active Axes ............................................................................... 92 Drawing Vectors ........................................................................ 93 The Polygon Tool ...................................................................... 93 Drawing Circles ......................................................................... 94 Adding Text to the Drawing ....................................................... 95 Inserting and Editing Text.......................................................... 95 Using Picture in the Drawing ..................................................... 96 Adding Expressions to the Drawing........................................... 97 Creating Functions .................................................................... 98 The General Function F(x) ...................................................... 101 The Selection Arrow ................................................................ 106 Selecting Multiple Objects ....................................................... 106 Adjusting the Drawing ............................................................. 107 Drawing Constraints and How to Use Them................................... 108 System Added Constraints ...................................................... 109 Changing a Constraint............................................................. 112 Constraint Conflicts ................................................................. 113 Distance / Length Constraint ................................................... 115 Radius Constraint.................................................................... 115 Perpendicular Constraint......................................................... 116 Angle Constraint...................................................................... 116
page 5

Geometry Expressions Manual

Direction Constraint................................................................. 117 Slope Constraint...................................................................... 117 Coordinate Constraint ............................................................. 118 Constraining Vector Coefficients ............................................. 118 Tangent Constraint.................................................................. 119 Incident Constraint .................................................................. 119 Congruent Constraint .............................................................. 120 Parallel Constraint ................................................................... 121 Implicit Equation Constraint..................................................... 121 Constraining a Point Proportionally Along a Curve.................. 122 Creating Constructions ................................................................... 124 Constructing a Midpoint........................................................... 125 Intersections ............................................................................ 125 Perpendicular Bisector ............................................................ 127 Angle Bisector ......................................................................... 127 Parallel Constructions ............................................................. 128 Perpendicular Constructions ................................................... 128 Tangents ................................................................................. 129 Polygon Construction .............................................................. 129 Reflection ................................................................................ 130 Translation .............................................................................. 130 Rotation................................................................................... 131 Dilation .................................................................................... 132 Locus of Points / Envelope ...................................................... 132 Output Calculations ........................................................................ 135 Distance / Length Calculation.................................................. 136 Radius Calculation .................................................................. 137
page 6

Geometry Expressions Manual

Angle Calculation .................................................................... 137 Supplementary Angles ............................................................ 138 Direction Calculation ............................................................... 139 Slope Calculation .................................................................... 140 Calculate Coordinates ............................................................. 140 Area Calculation ...................................................................... 141 Perimeter Calculation .............................................................. 141 Calculate Coefficients.............................................................. 142 Calculating Parametric Equations ........................................... 142 Calculating Implicit Equations.................................................. 143 Viewing the Output ......................................................................... 144 Assumptions............................................................................ 145 Intermediate Variables ............................................................ 146 Show Output Check Boxes ..................................................... 147 The Symbols Toolbox..................................................................... 149 Inserting Greek Letters............................................................ 149 Multiplication and Division Editing Tools ................................. 149 Square Root Editing Tool ........................................................ 150 Subscript / Superscript Editor .................................................. 150 Parentheses and Absolute Value Notation.............................. 151 The Variables Toolbox ............................................................ 151 Variable List.................................................................................... 153 Function List ................................................................................... 154 Using the Lock Tool................................................................. 154 Changing and Locking the Variable Value .............................. 156 Animation ....................................................................................... 157 Animation Console .................................................................. 158
page 7

Geometry Expressions Manual

Animation Modes..................................................................... 158 Animation Values and Duration ............................................... 158 Animation and the Locus Tool ................................................. 159 File Menu........................................................................................ 160 Exporting a Drawing ................................................................ 161 Edit Menu ....................................................................................... 162 View Menu...................................................................................... 164 Toolbox Menus ............................................................................... 167 Help Menu ...................................................................................... 168 Context Menus ............................................................................... 169 The General Context Menu ..................................................... 169 Selection Context Menu .......................................................... 170 V. Whats New in Geometry Expressions? ........................................... 173 VI. Where is the Geometry Expressions Website? ................................ 175

page 8

Geometry Expressions Manual

I. Solving Geometry Problems with Geometry Expressions


Geometry Expressions is an interactive application that lets you specify geometry problems with symbolic constraints for example, set a line to have length a, set an angle to be , or make two lines perpendicular rather than entering numeric values. The requested measurement is also output symbolically, as a mathematical expression. After youve read about the basic ideas underlying Geometry Expressions, try running the Geometry Expressions Tutorials to help you get started.

page 9

Geometry Expressions Manual

Constraints and Constructions: Two Ways to Work


Use Geometry Expressions to solve problems with a straightforward threestep process: 1. Draw geometric objects such as points, lines, or circles. You need not draw them exactly Geometry Expressions will make the necessary adjustments as you work. Constrain their relationships. As you specify constraints, the drawing adjusts to satisfy them. You can constrain the problem fully, or you can leave some elements unspecified. Request a measurement. Geometry Expressions adds any missing variables required for the calculation, then outputs the requested expression or value.

2.

3.

Its not important to draw objects exactly at first; instead, the application corrects the drawing one step at a time as you define the problem by adding constraints. This constraint-based approach enables a flexible, exploratory work style. It also readily lends itself to defining a problem symbolically, as it allows you to specify constraints distances, angles, slopes, etc. in terms of symbols. Geometry Expressions provides a rich set of geometry objects and constraints, described in the User Interface Reference and embedded Help system. You may be familiar with other interactive geometry applications, such as Geometers SketchPad or Cabri Geometry, which use a different approach: 1. 2. Draw independent geometric objects. Define dependent objects using constructions.

Geometry Expressions also enables this work style, providing a rich set of constructions, too (see the User Interface Reference and embedded Help system).

page 10

Geometry Expressions Manual

A construction defines a new geometry object in terms of existing objects. A construction-based approach requires you to distinguish between independent and dependent objects, and draw the independent objects accurately from the start. The drawing starts out correct and remains correct at each step. To enable this, the approach typically requires some foreknowledge of the problem geometry. To compare these two approaches, well use both to create a drawing that shows the incircle of a triangle the circle inside the triangle thats tangential to all three sides.

Constraint-based Drawing
A constraint-based approach starts with a drawing that contains all the pertinent geometrical objects, but does not at first require them to be correctly related (though the circle should lie more or less inside the triangle to distinguish it from the excircles):
B E D C

All we know of the incircle is that it is tangent to all three sides of the triangle. So we describe the problem by applying 1. the first tangency constraint:
B E

D C

page 11

Geometry Expressions Manual

2.

the second tangency constraint:


B E

D A C

3.

and the last:


B E D

The drawing now accurately represents the desired situation.

Construction-based Drawing
By contrast, a construction-based approach builds an accurate drawing step-by-step, relying on previous knowledge: that the center of an incircle is the intersection of two angle bisectors of the triangle. 1. Draw the triangle:
B

page 12

Geometry Expressions Manual

2. 3. 4.

Construct the angle bisector of one angle. Construct the angle bisector of the second angle. Construct the intersection point D of the two angle bisectors:
B

D C A

5.

Construct a line perpendicular to AC through D. Construct the point E, where the new line intersects AC:
B

D C A E

6.

Draw a circle centered at D which passes through E:


B

D C A E

page 13

Geometry Expressions Manual

It requires some geometric foreknowledge or ingenuity to come up with this construction, nor is it clear without a proof that the circle is indeed tangent to sides AB and BC. Construction-based drawing is the approach used by other interactive geometry applications, and therefore you may be used to it. Constraintbased drawing, on the other hand, enables a more natural, exploratory style of problem solving. In practice, youll probably use a combination of these two approaches, making the geometry much easier to create.

page 14

Geometry Expressions Manual

How Does Geometry Expressions Solve Problems?


You can easily use Geometry Expressions without understanding anything about its internal process, but for various reasons, youll find it helpful to understand how it builds the geometry problem and calculates the requested output. This understanding will make clear: how the application uses your drawings to resolve ambiguities; when and why the application adds variables; why it sometimes prompts you to resolve conflicts among constraints, and how to resolve these when they occur.

To shed light on these matters, we the offer following brief explanation of Geometry Expressions internal process.

The Internal Construction Sequence


Though its often natural and straightforward to describe a geometry problem in terms of constraints, internally, Geometry Expressions uses constructions. 1. 2. 3. As you specify geometric objects and constraints, it creates a construction sequence for them. It executes those constructions to create a symbolic model of your geometry problem. It creates a drawing that includes the objects and conforms to the constraints. To do so, it assigns sample numeric values for the variables.

For example, in the drawing below, AB is constrained to be length c, BC is constrained to be length a, AB is constrained to be perpendicular to BC, BD is constrained to be perpendicular to AC, and D is constrained to lie on AC.

page 15

Geometry Expressions Manual


B a c ac a +c
2 2

C D

Given this input, Geometry Expressions internally creates a construction sequence such as: 1. 2. 3. Place point A at an arbitrary location, creating variables to represent the coordinates of point A by default, (u0, v0). Put point B distance c from A in an arbitrary direction, creating another variable to represent the slope of line AB by default, 0. Calculate a sample value for c by measuring the distance of the line AB, using the native coordinate system. (Though the drawings weve shown so far do not show the axes, coordinates, or grid, you can reveal or hide them easily by clicking on the coordinate tool on the toolbar. See the User Interface Reference or embedded Help system.) Create a line perpendicular to AB through B. Put point C on this line at distance a from B. Two points are possible at this distance either to the left or to the right of the line AB. Geometry Expressions takes its cue from where you drew the line segment and placed the point. If the drawing shows C to the right of AB, Geometry Expressions determines thats what you intended. 6. 7. Find a line perpendicular to AC through B. Put D at the intersection of this line and AC.

4. 5.

The existence of a construction sequence for Geometry Expressions is not equivalent to a problem being mathematically well defined. Unfortunately,
page 16

Geometry Expressions Manual

Geometry Expressions toolbox of constructions cannot cope with a number of mathematically well defined problems. Nevertheless, with a little ingenuity, you can usually find an alternative way to describe the problem, one that the application can construct. Application-added variables, resolving geometrical ambiguities, and what happens when Geometry Expressions cannot find a construction sequence are all discussed in more detail below.

Application-added Variables
Geometry Expressions does not require you to specify your model in every detail. The underlying geometry engine automatically fills in any variables youve left unspecified. For example, the following drawing (typical of many geometry problems) constrains the shape of the triangle but not its location:
B

C A b

Asking for the coordinates of points A and B, then, requires the system to add variables for the location of point A and the direction of line AB:

page 17

Geometry Expressions Manual

u0+ccos 0 ,v0+csin 0 a

c C b A u0,v0

By default, Geometry Expressions creates the variables u0 and v0 for the x and y coordinates of point A, and 0 for the direction of the line AB. It associates numeric values with these variables based on the location of the pertinent object on the drawings coordinate system. Geometry Expressions cannot always calculate sample values so easily. When a variable is used in more than one place, or when it is involved in a complicated expression, the application solves equations to come up with appropriate sample values. However, whatever values it assigns, you can always set your own values directly in the Variables panel (discussed below, in Controlling Variables, p. 32).

page 18

Geometry Expressions Manual

Resolving Ambiguity
Geometry Expressions uses your drawing to resolve ambiguities. For example, the following drawing shows two triangles, ABC and ADC. Both have two sides of constrained length, one of length a and the other of length b, as well as an angle , an unincluded angle:

B D

a -b sin() +bcos()

- a -b sin() +bcos() a

a C

Two sides and the included angle uniquely define a triangle, but two sides and an unincluded angle do not. So if you specify a triangle using two sides and an unincluded angle, its not unique: two possible solutions exist. In the drawing above, it could be either ABC or ADC. In ambiguous cases like this, Geometry Expressions determines which solution you intend according to how you drew the objects. Both triangles have one included angle(BAC and DAC), one unincluded yet constrained angle(ACB and ACD), and an unconstrained and unincluded angle(ABC and ADC). The key difference between the two triangles is whether this last angle is acute or obtuse. So the application consults your drawing to see how you drew this key angle. If you drew it as acute, the application constructs the triangle ABC; if you drew it as obtuse, it constructs ADC instead. A trapezoid with the constraints specified below also has two possible solutions for the angle ABC one convex, the other concave. Because
page 19

Geometry Expressions Manual

the drawing is convex, Geometry Expressions chooses the convex solution:


B b A

Constraint Conflicts
You might try to add more constraints than necessary, creating a situation in which the constraint youre trying to add conflicts with existing ones. In such cases, Geometry Expressions cannot find a construction sequence. If you enter a constraint for a geometry object that is already constrained, youll see a dialog such as this:

You can resolve constraint conflicts in any of three ways: Cancel the operation to leave the drawing as it was without the new constraint.
page 20

Geometry Expressions Manual

Calculate [new constraint] from other constraints. Like canceling, this choice eliminates the new constraint. Unlike canceling, however, Geometry Expressions also calculates the selected geometry's value and displays the result. To add the new constraint, you must relax one of the conflicting ones. Choosing the bottom radio button affords the opportunity to choose which; all the conflicting constraints are highlighted in red, the constraint you tried to add is highlighted in yellow (Figure 1).

Figure 1 When you select one of these constraints (Figure 2 shows the result of clicking on ), the highlight of the current constraint changes to green.

Figure 2
page 21

Geometry Expressions Manual

OK adds your new constraint, then calculates and displays the new value of the variable associated with the relaxed constraint (Figure 3).

Figure 3 Youll need to resolve constraints conflicts whenever you add a new constraint that is: not independent of those already added; not generically applicable, though possibly applicable in specific cases; or for which a construction sequence cannot be derived.

page 22

Geometry Expressions Manual

Below is an example of a constraint that isnt independent: three sides already define the triangle, so is dependent on the side lengths.

To resolve this conflict, you can eliminate one of the constraints either one of the problematic side lengths, or .

page 23

Geometry Expressions Manual

Below is an example of a constraint that, while it appears to be independent, would not be so in all cases. The line segment has been assigned the equation Y=X, and the point A has been assigned the coordinates (0,0). The point (0,0) does indeed lie on the line Y=X, but other values for its coordinates might not. For example, if you tried to constrain A to be at coordinates (1,0), the Y=X constraint would be violated. Constraints in Geometry Expressions must be applicable generically, rather than relying on specific values.

page 24

Geometry Expressions Manual

To resolve this conflict, instead of setting the equation of the line, you could set its slope:
B

A (0,0)

Some problems seem to violate neither of these rules; nevertheless, Geometry Expressions cant find a construction sequence that satisfies them. For example, suppose youre trying to determine the length of the side of a regular pentagon inscribed in a circle of radius r. You might try to draw the pentagon by constraining its sides to be of equal length:

page 25

Geometry Expressions Manual

The constraints are certainly independent, so why the prompt to resolve a conflict? The answer lies in the details of how Geometry Expressions converts the constraint description into a construction sequence. A construction sequence is a sequence of primitive geometrical operations, each of which creates a single geometric object. For example: Create a point on a given line, distance a from a given point. or: Create a circle tangent to three given circles. To draw the specified pentagon, Geometry Expressions starts with a circle of a particular radius. It then constructs a point on the circumference at an arbitrary location. Next, it must construct another point, this time one whose location is not arbitrary. But calculating the point's position would require simultaneously resolving all the congruent distance constraints. Geometry Expressions cant resolve that many constraints at once; it can resolve them only in batches of two or three, with each batch defining just one geometrical object. So Geometry Expressions is unable to create the construction sequence. To solve this problem, you need to try a different approach. For example, specify the angles from the center of the circle, which enables Geometry Expressions to construct the points one by one:
B C r 5- 5 2 2 5 F 2 5 A 2 5 2 5 D
2

page 26

Geometry Expressions Manual

Calculating Output
Geometry Expressions calculates results based on the objects as youve drawn them, and the constraints or constructions youve specified. If you haven't supplied all of the necessary constraints, the system adds any missing variables automatically. (For an example, see Application-added variables, p. 17.) You can ask for calculations in either numeric or symbolic terms by choosing the appropriate tab (Real or Symbolic) when you request the output. Symbolic calculations yield results as mathematical expressions. Geometry Expressions can present the results of its calculations in different ways, depending on your output settings. Two in particular require discussion whether you wish to see absolute values for certain terms, and how you wish to treat intermediate variables.

Eliminating Absolute Values


Use Assumptions is a checkbox in the Output panel that determines whether expressions include or eliminate absolute values: the assumption in question is whether the operand of the absolute value is positive or negative. When checked, the application assumes that a given term is positive, if the value of the absolute value operand is positive. If its negative, the corresponding term is assumed to be negative. When unchecked, pertinent terms appear in expressions enclosed in absolute value bars.

page 27

Geometry Expressions Manual

For example, without assumptions, in this drawing of Paucelliers linkage, the height of D depends on parameter t:
a a B a c D a E C

b t b c F

-a +b +t + a -b +t 4c

A(0,0)

If you check Use Assumptions, the expression simplifies and no longer involves t. However, other assumptions can sometimes be added, as shown below. Check these assumptions against the geometry of the diagram to see if they accurately express your intentions.

page 28

Geometry Expressions Manual

a a B a c -a +b 2c b t b c F | b >a
2 2 2 2 2 2

D a E

| a +t <b

A(0,0)

The second assumption in the drawing above is equivalent to assuming that angle AEB is obtuse; given the geometry of the drawing, is reasonable. Assumptions are a means to simplify expressions and apply only to absolute values. If an expression doesnt include any terms in absolute values, the checkbox will have no effect.

Using Intermediate Variables


As described in Calculating Output above, the application expresses results in terms of: variables youve added, and additional variables the application added, if you havent fully specified the drawing.
page 29

Geometry Expressions Manual

However, expressions can sometimes be so large and complex as to be difficult to read and understand. To make output expressions clearer and more compact, you can choose to use intermediate variables. An intermediate variable is a variable defined in the same terms your own variables plus those the system added for the purpose of simplifying an expression and enhancing its readability. Not every expression needs or can benefit from intermediate variables, but for some expressions, their use allows one straightforward name to replace a significant portion of the expression. You can control how Geometry Expressions handles intermediate variables in three ways: An Intermediate Variable Complexity setting determines how complex an intermediate variable must be before it appears in an expression. A Use Intermediate Variables checkbox determines whether, above this threshold, they appear or not. A Show Intermediate Variables checkbox affects their display.

These three settings interact with each other to let you control the calculations that Geometry Expression performs and how it presents them. Intermediate Variable Complexity is an application setting, available from Edit > Preferences. From the Math tab, this option allows you to set a threshold for intermediate variable complexity in terms of a number from 2 to 100. This number determines the complexity of the term to be replaced with a variable in an expression. A low number tells the application to replace even simple terms with intermediate variables, so you'll see more of these variables. A progressively higher number means that intermediate variables will represent progressively larger and more complex terms in expressions, so you'll see fewer of them. Use Intermediate Variables, a checkbox in the Output panel, determines
page 30

Geometry Expressions Manual

whether intermediate variables above the complexity threshold are used or not. When checked, terms more complex than the threshold will be replaced by intermediate variables in expressions. Terms simpler than the threshold are not replaced. When unchecked, intermediate variables never appear and the threshold has no effect. Show Intermediate Variables, also a checkbox in the Output panel, determines whether intermediate variable definitions are displayed with results. When checked, youll see the results, including intermediate variables, followed by additional lines displaying the definition of each intermediate variable used. When unchecked, youll see intermediate variables in expressions according to the other two settings, but not their definitions. Show Intermediate Variables affects only how an expression is displayed; it has no effect on the underlying expression itself. And its relevant only when Use Intermediate Variables is checked. When Use Intermediate Variables is unchecked, there are no intermediate variables to display. To summarize: Intermediate Variable Complexity sets a threshold above which intermediate variables are used to calculate expressions, and appear in them. They thus affect the details of the expression thats calculated, as well as affecting the expressions readability. Use Intermediate Variables determines whether to use intermediate variables above the threshold, or not. This also affects the details of expressions. Show Intermediate Variables determines whether to display the definitions of intermediate variables when they are present.

page 31

Geometry Expressions Manual

Controlling Variables
As you create geometry objects and add constraints or constructions, Geometry Expressions creates the required variables; assigns numeric values according to the constraints, constructions, and drawing; and lists any variables you create along with their values in the Variables panel. The numeric value assigned to a variable is like a sample value; it does not replace the symbolic value the expression. Instead, the application uses the numeric value for four purposes: to determine where to draw the geometric objects on the page, to resolve ambiguous geometry, to determine whether to substitute a positive or negative value for an absolute value when using assumptions, and to take numeric measurements from the drawing.

You dont have to accept the sample values assigned by the application. You can control the values of variables various ways: Assign a value directly. Lock a variable to its current value, so that it wont change when you drag geometry objects in the drawing. Assign a range of values to the variable for creating an animation.

These capabilities are discussed below.

Assignment
If you wish a given variable to have a specific value, you can assign it directly by selecting the variable in the panel and entering the desired value in the input field. (See the User Interface Reference or embedded Help system.) If you assign a value that result in a geometry that the application cannot construct, the problematic objects in the drawing will disappear. However, theyre not gone; they'll reappear when you set the variable to a value consistent with the rest of the drawing.
page 32

Geometry Expressions Manual

Locking
By default, when you drag points in a Geometry Expressions model, it adjusts the variable values to accommodate the drag as best it can. For example, in the model of a four-bar linkage below, dragging point B changes lengths a and b and angle :
C b B a A x ,y 0 0 x 1,y 1 D c

However, you may wish the drag to act as if lines AB, BC, and CD were rigid, and only angle adjustable. To arrange this, lock all the variables except . Locking a variable applies only to its behavior when you drag the drawing. You can still assign it a value by entering it in the input field.

Animation
Geometry Expressions allows you to set a range of values to a variable, then run through the range to animate your drawing, using the familiar video playback interface. To animate a drawing: 1. 2. 3. Select a variable to drive the animation. Assign a range of values to that variable. Press Play.

In the figure below we select to crank the linkage:

page 33

Geometry Expressions Manual

From other interactive geometry applications, you may be familiar with animating points along line segments or curves. Geometry Expressions provides this animation capability as well, using the constraint point proportional along a curve. A point proportion t along a curve is defined thus: for: line segment AB circle locus or envelope definition: point (1-t) A + tB point on the circle that subtends angle t at the center point at variable value t

page 34

Geometry Expressions Manual

For example, in the following drawing, D is defined proportion t along AB, and E is defined proportion t along BC. The curve is the locus of F as t varies between 0 and 1:
B x 1,y 1 t E

F C x 2,y 2

x 0,y 0 X= Y=

x 0-2tx 0+t x 0+tx 1-t x 1+t x 2 1-t+t


2 2 2 2

y 0-2ty 0+t y 0+ty 1-t y 1+t y 2 1-t+t


2

To animate this, we assign t the range 0 to 1, then push Play. The construction of both locus and envelope curves can be defined in terms of any variable. For example, starting with the drawing below:
B

L-t

A (-a,0)

(a,0) C

we create a locus over values of t, keeping other variables constant:


B

L-t

A (-a,0)

(a,0) C

page 35

Geometry Expressions Manual

Importing and Exporting Expressions


You can copy expressions from Geometry Expressions and paste them into an algebra application such as Maple or Mathematica, and you can also copy expressions from such applications and paste them into Geometry Expressions. To enable this, Geometry Expressions uses the standard MathML interchange format. MathML Mathematical Markup Language is an extension of the widely adopted XML protocol, designed for mathematics applications. The official MathML web page and specification is at: www.w3.org/Math/ MathML comes in two varieties: Presentation MathML Content MathML

When copying from a companion application into Geometry Expressions, use Content MathML, which is the variety that Geometry Expressions accepts. As a convenience, Geometry Expressions places expressions you copy on the clipboard as both Presentation MathML and Content MathML. Many applications can accept this dual input and choose the variety they require. Some applications, however, might not be able to accept dual input. If you are having difficulty with an expression copied from Geometry Expressions: 1. 2. Consult the users guide or help system for the target application to determine which variety of MathML it accepts. Use Edit > Copy As to invoke a dialog enabling you to choose between the two varieties. Only the one you choose is placed on the clipboard.
page 36

Geometry Expressions Manual

Performance Tips
Various factors affect the simplicity and readability of the result and also, in some cases, the speed at which it is reached: How clearly have you defined your problem? The fewer unknowns you use, the faster the calculation and the more likely that the resulting expression will be simple and clear. How constrained is the problem? Fully constrained problems produce better results than underconstrained ones, because you control which unknowns are used. Using intermediate variables makes expressions less likely to simplify, but more likely to produce a result. For faster calculations, use lower settings of Intermediate Value Complexity. Use assumptions for simpler results, if your expression has absolute values in it. But check the assumption to make sure its what you intend; if not, change the drawing to reflect your intention more accurately.

page 37

Geometry Expressions Manual

II. Geometry Expressions Tutorials


These tutorials are provided to help you get started using Geometry Expressions. They refer to the ideas discussed in Solving Geometry Problems Using Geometry Expressions, which we recommend you read before proceeding with this tutorial.

Documentation Conventions
You see: Enter Control-Z Enter File > New It means: the Enter key Press Control and Z at the same time. Press Enter (This is usually done as the final step in completing some desired action.) Execute the New command from the File menu.

page 39

Geometry Expressions Manual

Tutorial 1: Define and solve a problem.


In this tutorial, you will: explore the tools, define a simple problem, calculate the solution, resolve a constraint conflict, and add and calculate an expression.

As you work, remember that theres no need to draw lengths and angles accurately. Just draw a sketch. Then, as you enter constraints and constructions, Geometry Expressions will update your sketch accordingly. If you do happen to make a mistake, Geometry Expressions has multiple levels of Edit > Undo (Control-Z) and Edit > Redo (Control-Y) so that you can go back and forth through a sequence of steps.

Explore the user interface.


1. Start Geometry Expressions 2. File > New A new blank page opens with the tool palettes on the right: Draw to create geometry objects, Constrain (Input) to input any constraints, Construct to create common, often used, geometry objects and
page 40

Geometry Expressions Manual

Calculate (Output) to make calculations associated with selected geometry elements.

Below these are palettes that provide ways to: control the way expressions are calculated, insert symbols, and assign variable values.

Enlarge your display size if some of the palettes are obscured.

3. You can hide a palette individually by clicking the X at the upper right corner of the palette box. In this way, you can close palettes that you wont be using. These tutorials wont be using the Symbols palette, so you may close it now, if you wish. To display a hidden toolbox, select View / Tool Panels. The submenu lists the toolboxes and the Main Toolbar (the icon strip at the top of the window). Boxes shown are preceded by a check; those without a check are hidden. You can customize the user interface in various ways. The options available in the View menu control zooming, scaling, axes etc. and the items in Edit > Preferences, address other visual, text and mathematical properties. Under Math, for example, you can set the threshold for Intermediate Variable Complexity. A low threshold tells the application to substitute only simple terms with intermediate variables. The more complicated ones will not be substituted. A progressively higher threshold results in
page 41

Geometry Expressions Manual

the automatic substitution of progressively larger and more complex terms with intermediate variables.

4. In the Draw palette, choose the line segment tool.

5. Starting near the bottom left of the drawing area, click and hold the mouse button down as you draw a line segment going upward and to the right. Now release the mouse button. This will complete the drawing of a line segment. Geometry Expressions places the first point at the beginning of the line (where the cursor is when you first
page 42

Geometry Expressions Manual

press the mouse button) and the second point at the end of the line segment (where you released the mouse button). Another way of drawing a line segment is to click over the start point and move the cursor to the position of the end point and click again. (I.e. its not necessary to hold the mouse button down while positioning the cursor.) The end points are labeled A and B respectively.

6. With the line segment tool still selected, move the mouse around the drawing area, passing over one or both of these points. Geometry Expressions tracks the location of the drawing cursor, snapping it to an existing geometry object when the cursor gets close enough. 7. Try creating other kinds of geometry objects using some of the other drawing tools. When youre ready to go on, undo them all except the line AB. 8. The Output section in Display Properties dialog box is where you see a variety of options for controlling the output answers to your geometrical questions. An output expression will have to be highlighted; otherwise, the Properties option (under Edit or right click menu) will be grayed out.

page 43

Geometry Expressions Manual

Define a problem.
To start, well use the first line segment and add three more to create something like this:
B

C A D

1.

With the line segment tool selected, place the cursor near point B and draw three more line segments. (Remember, theres no need to draw precisely.) To ensure that point D lies along the line AC, move the cursor near to AC until the line becomes selected, D will then snap to this line.

page 44

Geometry Expressions Manual

2. 3.

Change to the selection tool and select line AB by clicking the mouse anywhere along its length. With one object selected, some of the tools in the Constrain (Input) palette are enabled. Click the Distance/Length constraint. If a tool is not available its icon will be grayed.

The constraint appears, along with the default variable name of a, selected and ready to change. Press Enter to accept it. 4. 5. Select line BC and repeat the previous two steps to constrain its length to b. Youve now added two variables to your drawing. Go to the Variables palette to see their names and values. The values displayed in the Variables palette are the current values, as taken from the default coordinate system. Notice that these values will change as you vary the lengths of the sides. Vice versa, if you select a variable and change its value in the Variables palette, the geometry will change accordingly. 6. Select the variable a in the Variables list and, in the input field below, round the value to the nearest whole number. Select both lines AB and BC. (You can select more than one object at a time by making the first selection, then holding down Shift as you make subsequent selections.)
page 45

7.

Geometry Expressions Manual

8.

With two objects selected, youll see a different set of constraint tools enabled. Click the Perpendicular constraint to constrain the angle to 90. ABC is now a right triangle. Notice that point C moved, not point A, though either could have moved to satisfy the constraint. When it can, Geometry Expressions moves the most recently added object.

9.

Theres one last constraint to add. Select both lines BD and AC, and constrain their angle to be perpendicular as well.
B

Calculate output.
Suppose you want to know the length of the line BD: 1. 2. Select BD. The Calculate (Output) palette offers output as both numbers Real and expressions Symbolic. Click on Symbolic, if its not already in front, then click the length icon.

An expression appears, showing the requested length in terms of the two variables, a and b. If you select this expression, you will be able to move it wherever you wish.

page 46

Geometry Expressions Manual


B

b ab a +b
2 2

The double arrow => that appears to the left of the expression indicates that the expression is an output that the application has calculated.

Resolve a constraint conflict.


With the lengths of two sides and the included angle already constrained, the triangle is fully defined; any new constraint you add will conflict with the existing ones. While this may be obvious, you may later encounter conflicts that are less obvious. This task takes you through the steps necessary to resolve such conflicts. 1. Select the line AC and add a length constraint. Youll see this dialog:

page 47

Geometry Expressions Manual

2.

The dialog offers you three choices: Discard the distance. This will close the dialog and put you back in the position you were before you attempted to constrain the length of AC. Calculate the distance from other constraints. This will change your attempt to constrain the length to a request for the length to be calculated for you. Relax other constraints so the distance is independent. This will give you an opportunity to remove one of the conflicting constraints so that the one you were trying to impose will become an independent constraint and no longer depend on existing constraint. You can then choose which constraint to relax.

3.

Click the second radio button, Calculate the distance from the other constraints, and then click the OK button. Youll see the expression appear with the arrow (=>) that indicates its an output. (It may also
page 48

Geometry Expressions Manual

be given a name. This will be the case if the Show Name box is checked in the Output palette. 4. 5. Edit > Undo Try to add the new constraint again. This time, click the third radio button, Relax other constraints so the distance is independent. As soon as you click it, the conflicting constraints highlight in red and the new one in yellow.

page 49

Geometry Expressions Manual

6.

Click on the angle at B. Its highlight changes to indicate its selected; the conflicting constraint highlights vanish, and the new one now highlights in green.

Click OK. Now the figure includes the length constraint c, while the perpendicular angle constraint at B is gone.

page 50

Geometry Expressions Manual

b a a a b b c a b + + 2 2 4c2 2c2 4c2 4


2 2 4 2 2 4 2

D c

7.

Edit > Undo again. Were going to need that perpendicular angle later. Leave the drawing as it was, without length constraint c.

Make your own expression.


Geometry Expressions can calculate output as expressions, but you can also define and add your own expressions to a drawing. 1. 2. 3. 4. Select the two points A and D. Calculate the distance between them as a symbolic output. Select the expression youve just output. In the Output panel, check Show Name. To the left of the arrow, the name zn appears. (Because you may have created one or more of these already while exploring, we cant predict the exact number in the subscript.) This is the symbol the application assigns by default as the name of the expression.
page 51

Geometry Expressions Manual

5.

Select the two points D and C, and repeat the previous three steps to get a second expression, this one named zn+1. (Subscripts increase by one each time the symbol they apply to is reused.) Using these names, you can make an expression of your own to refer to these distances. For example, you can calculate the ratio of the two lengths.

6. 7.

In the Draw palette, choose the Expression tool. Click in the drawing where you want to put the expression. The expression appears as a 0, selected for overwriting. To replace the zero, enter: z[n]/z[n+1] (Square brackets indicate subscripts. Replace the n and n+1 with the subscripts for your own named expressions.)

8.

The expression is calculated and displayed.


B z2 z3 a
2 2

b a ab a +b
2 2

z2

a
2

2 2

a +b

z3

b
2

2 2

a +b

page 52

Geometry Expressions Manual

Tutorial 2: Create and manipulate a curve.


This tutorial lets you try some of the more advanced features of Geometry Expressions. In this tutorial, you will: create a locus, lock a variables value to see the effect it has on the drawing, animate the drawing by setting start and stop values for a variable, calculate two kinds of equations for the locus, reflect the locus in a line, and compare the equations for the locus and its reflection.

Draw a locus.
Were now going to re-create the old exercise of drawing an ellipse using a pencil, two pins, and a piece of string. 1. Turn on the axes by clicking on the grid tool in the toolbar.

2.

Make two line segments, AB and BC. Points A and C are the pins, while B represents the pencil.

page 53

Geometry Expressions Manual


4 B 3

1 A -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 1 2 3 4 C 5

3. 4. 5. 6.

Select point A. Add an input constraint of type Coordinate to set the coordinates of the point. When the constraint highlights, enter (-a,0) Select point C and constrain its coordinates to be at (a,0).
4 B 3

1 A -5 (-a,0) -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 1 2 3 C 4 (a,0) 5

page 54

Geometry Expressions Manual

7.

Maximize Geometry Expressions window, if necessary, to see the value of a in the Variables palette.

8.

Reselect A and drag it to the right a short distance. As you drag, notice: A is now constrained to lie along the X axis; moving it up or down has no effect. When you move A, C also moves. When you move A, the value of the associated variable, a, changes in the Variables list.

9.

Select the line AB and constrain its length to be distance t.

10. Select the line BC and constrain its length to be Lt. L now represents the length of the string.
4 B 3 t 2 L-t

1 A -5 (-a,0) -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 1 2 3 C 4 (a,0) 5

page 55

Geometry Expressions Manual

11. Notice that the two new variables have appeared in the Variables list.

12. Select B. 13. In the Construct palette, select Locus to construct a locus through B.

14. In the resulting dialog, choose t as the parameter to vary, and enter start and end values of 025, guesses that will probably produce a complete curve. The locus appears half of an ellipse, above the X-axis.
4 B 3 t 2 L-t

1 A -6 -5 (-a,0) -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 1 2 3 C 4 (a,0) 5 6

15. Now drag B up and down, the equivalent of changing the length of the string, and notice how the ellipse changes. You can also drag A or C to change the position of the pins.
page 56

Geometry Expressions Manual

Lock a variable.
When you draw an ellipse this way using real pins, pencil, and string, the length of the string cant change. To emulate this real-world behavior, we can lock the value of the variable L. 1. In the Variables list, select L and click the lock icon below the list. A plus sign (+) appears next to the locked variable in the Locked column.

2.

Select points A or C and drag it. With the length of the string constant, the locus will change accordingly.

Animate a variable.
You can also animate the drawing. To do so, we can set start and stop values for the variable t. 1. 2. 3. In the Variables list, select t. The first input field below the video playback interface specifies the start value. Enter 1.5. The middle field specifies the number of seconds for one cycle of the animation. Accept the default value of 4. The input field to its right specifies the stop value. Enter 12.

page 57

Geometry Expressions Manual

4.

To animate the drawing, click the Play button (

).

NOTE: The start and stop values that yield an interesting animation depend to some extent on where youve located objects in your drawing. Experiment to find values that make an interesting animation. Values that do not allow Geometry Expressions to create a construction sequence will cause objects to disappear briefly. Theyll reappear when values make sense again, or when the animation stops.

Calculate parametric and implicit equations.


1. Select the locus. In the Calculate (Output) palette, chose Parametric equation. The resulting expressions are the formulas for x and y as a function of t. Move the expression wherever you wish on the drawing. Select the locus again and, this time, request the Implicit equation. The resulting expression gives the equation of the curve in terms of x and y.

2.

Make the locus reflection.


1. 2. 3. Select the line segment tool again and make a line from A to C. This line lies on the X-axis. Select the curve. In the Construct palette, choose Reflection. The status bar now shows a message prompting you to choose the axis about which to reflect the curve.

page 58

Geometry Expressions Manual

4.

Select the line segment AC. This will reflect the curve about the Xaxis.
6

X= Y=

L(-L+2t) 4a 4a

L-2t+2 a L-2 a L+2 a 4 -L+2t+2 a


3

B L-t

2 1

A
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 -2
B'

C
1 2 3 4

(-a,0)

(a,0)

-3

-L4+4L2Y2+4L2a2+X2 4L2-16a2 =0
-4

B is also reflected, its reflection appearing on the lower curve as B. 5. Select B and drag it; B follows. But, though you can select B, you cant drag it; its locked as the reflection of B.

Compare locus and reflection equations.


1. 2. Select the reflected curve and request its parametric equation (from the Calculate (Output) palette). Compare them side-by-side and youll see that the xparameterizations are the same and the y-parameterizations differ only in sign (which is, of course, as it should be). If you repeat the experiment for the implicit equation, youll see they are identical.
page 59

3.

Geometry Expressions Manual

Explore on your own.


Having completed the introductory tutorials, we hope youll be comfortable exploring on your own. If you wish, further interesting examples can be found on our website, www.geometryexpressions.com.

page 60

Geometry Expressions Manual

III. Examples
We present a few worked examples using Geometry Expressions. Corresponding example files are installed with Geometry Expressions in the Examples folder. Many more examples are available at the website: www.GeometryExpressions.com

page 61

Geometry Expressions Manual

Example 1:

Circumcircle Radius

Measure the area of a triangle with sides length a,b,c, and measure the radius of the circumcircle.
circumcircle radius abc a+b+c a+b-c a-b+c -a+b+c B b triangle area a+b+c a+b-c a-b+c -a+b+c 4

a C A c D

What is their relationship? If a triangle is defined in terms of two sides and the included angle, what is its area? Hence you can derive a formula for the radius of the circumcircle which involves an angle:
B

a +b -2abcos() 2sin() C

a +b -2abcos() D

page 62

Geometry Expressions Manual

Example 2:

Radius of arc offset from line segment

Imagine a piece of drawing software where the user creates an arc by dragging the center of a line segment perpendicular to the segment. The software author might want a formula for the radius of the arc given the length of the segment and the distance the user has dragged the center away from the segment.
B

E h h 2 c
2

8h

page 63

Geometry Expressions Manual

Example 3:

Length of the Angle Bisector of a triangle

Given a triangle with side lengths a,b,c, what is the length of a perpendicular bisector?
B

c D

A b a b a +2ab+b -c a+b
2 2 2

page 64

Geometry Expressions Manual

Example 4:

A Family of Circles

We look at the family generated by two circles of radius a and b inside a circle of radius a+b:
ab(a+b) a +ab+b
2 2

ab(a+b) 4a +ab+b
2 2

ab(a+b) 9a +ab+b
2 2

ab(a+b) 16a +ab+b


2 2

a+b

b a

Clearly the radius of the nth circle is:

ab(a + b) n a 2 + ab + b 2
2

Can you prove this?


page 65

Geometry Expressions Manual

Example 5:

Circle of Apollonius

The Circle of Apollonius is the locus of points the ratio of whose distance from a pair of fixed points is constant:
2Xa-a +X -1+k +Y -1+k =0 B kt t
2 2 2 2 2

(0,0)

C (a,0)

How do we know this is a circle? What is the center and radius? You can always get Geometry Expressions to tell you: draw a circle and set its equation to be the same as the locus equation (copy and paste works fine). You can then read off the center and radius.
2Xa-a +X -1+k +Y -1+k =0 F B kt a k -1+k
2 2 2 2 2 2

-a

E
2

A ,0

(0,0)

C (a,0)

-1+k

2Xa-a +X -1+k +Y -1+k =0

page 66

Geometry Expressions Manual

Example 6:

Caustics in a cup of coffee

The Nephroid curve generated by reflecting a set of parallel rays in a circle, and then taking the envelope of the reflected rays. (An envelope is created in Geometry Expressions as the locus of a line or line segment).
X=t B

C r

(0,0)

64X +192X Y +192X Y +64Y -48X r -96X Y r -48Y r -15X r +12Y r -r =0

4 2

2 2

4 2

2 4

2 4 6

This curve is the caustic which youd observe if you shone a light obliquely into a cup of coffee.

page 67

Geometry Expressions Manual

Example 7:

Two Quadratic Splines

In the diagram below, D and E are located at proportion t along AB and BC respectively. F is the intersection of AE and CD. G is the point proportion t along the line DE. We examine the loci of F and G as t varies from 0 to 1. Observing the parametric form of the curves we see that one is a parametric quadratic, while the other is a rational quadratic. Implicit forms are both conics (and almost, but not quite, identical).
(b,c) B X=2bt+t (a-2b) Y=2ct(1-t)
2 2 2 2 2 2 2

4Yabc+4X c -4Xac +Y a -4ab+4b +XY(4ac-8bc)=0 E t G t D t F Y= X= t(-b-at+bt) -1+t-t c t-t


2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

1-t+t

Yabc+X c -Xac +Y a -ab+b +XY(ac-2bc)=0

A (0,0)

(a,0) C

page 68

Geometry Expressions Manual

What types of conics are they? Extending the curves a little can give a clue:
(b,c) B

G D t F t

A (0,0)

(a,0) C

The upper curve looks like a parabola, the lower certainly does not. Can you show this is generally true from the algebraic equations of the curves?

page 69

Geometry Expressions Manual

IV. User Interface Reference


Need Help?
There are many ways to get help with Geometry Expressions. 1. Your installation comes with Geometry Expressions Manual, in PDF format suitable for creating a hard copy. The manual contains these sections:


2.

Solving Geometry Problems with Geometry Expressions a detailed explanation of the basic concepts (p. 9). Geometry Expressions Tutorials - step by step instructions (p. 39). Examples - several examples chosen to illustrate the power and features of the software (p. 61). Reference - a copy of the embedded Help system. Use the table of contents to get details on using a tool, an icon or a menu. Use the index for help on a particular topic, such as "parametric equations". Use the search tool to find all topics based on a key word, such as "constraints". Browse through help with the up "Previous page" and down . This will step you through the help "Next Page" arrows sub-topics in a logical sequence.

In both the printed manual and the embedded Help system you can:


3.

Inside the Geometry Expressions Help system you can:

4.

You can click on colored text to get more information

Tool Tips:

page 71

Geometry Expressions Manual

When you move the cursor over any icon on the screen, the name of the icon appears briefly below the cursor.

The Display and How It's Organized


Many of the menu items in the drop-down menus at the top of the screen correspond to one of the icons or buttons across the top or down the side of the display window. Icons across the top of the screen comprise the standard Windows File, Edit, View and Help commands. The construction and calculation tools are displayed along the side of the drawing window. These toolboxes can be displayed on the left or right side of the window, or hidden. The Output window can be displayed below the drawing window to show large expressions. The status bar at the bottom of the window displays the following (from left to right): <Menu Help> <Current Mode> <Cursor Coordinates> <Angle Mode>

page 72

Geometry Expressions Manual

The Status Bar


The status bar at the bottom of the screen prompts the following information (from left to right):

Menu Help summary of a selected menu item. Current Mode Each icon in the drawing toolbox represents a mode. Tools requiring additional inputs after clicking the tool will display further prompts in this field. Cursor Coordinates Displays the current coordinates of the cursor in the diagram. Angle Mode Displays the current angle units used (degrees or radians). This can be set in the Edit / Preferences / Math window.

Customizing Your Display


You can arrange the display as it suits you. Arranging Toolboxes - Anchored or floating toolboxes can be placed around the drawing window (p. 74). Hide / Show Toolboxes - You may want to hide toolboxes which you rarely use (p. 75). Saving your configuration - Use the View / Tool Panel Configurations (p. 76). Arranging projects - You can open multiple project files and arrange them in the drawing window using the page tabs (p. 77). In the example below three toolboxes are anchored, two are floating, and one (Symbols) is hidden. Two slightly different locus examples are displayed for comparison.

page 73

Geometry Expressions Manual

Arranging Toolboxes
You can move the toolboxes around the periphery of the drawing window by clicking the title bar and dragging. Click the pushpin on the upper right corner of individual toolboxes to make it a "floating" box that you can drag anyplace on the screen. Floating boxes have a colored title bar -

page 74

Geometry Expressions Manual

To re-anchor the toolbox, drag the box until a blue shadow appears at the position where you want it, then release the mouse button. You may want to readjust the screen size for optimal viewing.

Hiding / Showing Toolboxes


Use the X on the upper right corner of individual toolboxes to hide them.

To display a hidden toolbox, select View / Tool Panels. The submenu lists the toolboxes and the Main Toolbar (the icon strip at the top of the window). Boxes shown are preceded by a check, those without a check are hidden.

Click a toolbox name to change its state.


page 75

Geometry Expressions Manual

Saving the Configuration


After configuring the screen to you preference, you can save this arrangement in case it gets messed up, or perhaps you need the tools arranged differently for different projects. This is easy with the View / Tool Panel Configurations menu selection. You can give a name to an arrangement of the toolbars. Several configurations can be saved in a list and referred to as needed.

Add - to save the current screen configuration. You will be prompted for a name to reference this configuration. Delete - if you no longer will use a certain configuration you can delete it from your list. Set - to change a configuration which you have saved, simply select the configuration name from your list.

Default - reset tool panels back to default configuration.


page 76

Geometry Expressions Manual

Arranging Project Pages


You can open multiple project files for quick reference. By default files are overlaid. Click a page tab to bring a file to the top. Comparing drawings side by side - click the page tab and drag it to one side, top, or bottom of the window. A shadow of the drawing gives you an indication of how the drawings will be arranged before you release the mouse button. Returning to overlaid configuration - drag one tab and position it over the other tab. The shadow will appear only on the title bar, then release the mouse button.

page 77

Geometry Expressions Manual

Adjusting the Default Settings


Select Preferences from the Edit menu to modify the program's defaults. The default settings are grouped by type, listed on the left side of the Preferences dialog. Click the icon to display the desired page. These settings are also available for editing a selected object or group of objects individually without changing the defaults, using the Selection Context Menu.

page 78

Geometry Expressions Manual

set the line color and style for each selection type.

set font related properties for labels; color and size / style for other geometric elements. set font properties for text, the rotation angle and the transparency level of an inserted picture, and the Pinned state for Text and Pictures. Pinned Text and Pictures will not move relative to the Page Boundaries as the result of a Scale operation. set the properties for alphanumeric input and output; mathematical calculation defaults.

set properties of the Major and Minor Grid, the coordinate Axes, and the Page Boundary lines. To see the possible values for each property, click the row. An icon will appear at the right end of the row (except the Point Size selection under the Font property -you can enter the point size directly). Click the icon to display the selection dialog or drop-down menu of choices . Changing a default for a type of drawing entity will apply to all entities of that type except ones whose properties have been individually set, by selecting it and then choosing Edit / Properties or right clicking Properties from the Selection Context menu. Also, text, pictures or

page 79

Geometry Expressions Manual

expressions that were individually pinned

or unpinned

will not be affected by changes to the default Pinned settings.

page 80

Geometry Expressions Manual

File Handling
Geometry Expressions uses standard Windows file Open and Save operations. Save your files regularly with the handy the screen. icon at the top of

The data files generated from your drawings will have the extension ".gx". You may create multiple data files and have them open in a session. Each file is on separate page with the tabs across the top of the drawing window. Click the tab to view the file. Files can also be arranged for comparison viewing.

page 81

Geometry Expressions Manual

Working with Algebra Systems


All mathematical expressions in Geometry Expressions are written in MathML, so you can copy and paste directly to or from any other MathML program. Usually the standard Edit > Copy or control-C command should work. If this doesnt give you the desired result, try the Edit > Copy As command. Select from the submenu of choices appropriate to your application. There is also a general purpose String input which converts the selected math into a text string containing no special characters:

is copied as > (((a)^(2)+(b)^(2)+(cos()*b*a*(-2))))^(1/2). In this section, we describe how to copy mathematics from Geometry Expressions into an algebra system, and from an algebra system into Geometry Expressions. We describe how to do this generically using MathML. We also describe specifically how to share information with Maple and Mathematica.

MathML
There are 3 different ways to export expressions as MathML from Geometry Expressions: In each method, you must first select the measurement to be output. Then either: 1. 2. 3. Copy copies the expression as both content and presentation MathML Copy As > Content MathML copies the expression as Content MathML only. Copy As > Presentation MathML copies the expression as Presentation MathML only.
page 82

Geometry Expressions Manual

Depending on the destination application one of these methods may work better than the others. On import, Geometry Expressions is looking for expressions in Content MathML form.

Special forms of expression


There are a couple of special cases to note:

An expression with assumptions is turned into a list, with the main expression as the head of the list, and the assumptions following. For example:

r+s r-s B | r>s | 2(r-s)>0 H D r s

Becomes
[ r-s r + s , 0 < r - s, 0 < 2 r - 2 s ]

page 83

Geometry Expressions Manual

An expression with intermediate variables is converted into a list, with the main expression as the head of the list and the intermediate variable definitions following.
d3v1 c0 d1= a+b+c a+b-c a-b+c -a+b+c v1= 0= b d3= a D -d1 2a v1(-a-b-c) bc av1 b

B E

A c

Becomes:
v 1 d3 , d1 = f0c -a + b + c a-b+c a+b-c a + b + c , v1 = d1 2a ,f0= (-a - b - c) v 1 cb , d3 = v1 a b

page 84

Geometry Expressions Manual

Working with Maple


Geometry Expressions gives the option of exporting expressions in Maple Input format: use Copy As > Maple Input This is the most reliable way of transferring expressions directly into Maple. When you are using this option, expressions copy in quite a different form when intermediate variables are present and when they are not present. When intermediate variables are present the expression copies as a Maple function, where intermediate variables are locals to the function. When intermediate variables are not present, a single Maple expression is created: For example:
d3v1 c0 d1= a+b+c a+b-c a-b+c -a+b+c v1= 0= b d3= a D -d1 2a v1(-a-b-c) bc av1 b

B E

A c

Becomes:
page 85

Geometry Expressions Manual

proc(a, b, c) local d_1, v_1, phi_0, d_3; d_1 := (-a + b + c)^ (1/2)*(a - b + c)^ (1/2)*(a + b - c)^ (1/2)*(a + b + c)^ (1/2); v_1 := - (d_1)/(2*a); phi_0 := ((-a - b - c)*v_1 )/(c*b); d_3 := (v_1*a)/(b); (v_1*d_3)/(phi_0*c); end proc;

Whereas

B E

a+b-c a-b+c -a+b+c 2 a+b+c

a D

A c

Becomes
-a + b + c 2 a-b+c a+b+c a+b-c

page 86

Geometry Expressions Manual

Working with Mathematica


Geometry Expressions gives the options of exporting expressions in Mathematica Input format use Copy As > Mathematica Input or Send to Mathematica. These are the most reliable ways of transferring expressions directly into Mathematica. When you are using either of these options, expressions copy in quite a different form when intermediate variables are present and when they are not present. When intermediate variables are present the expression copies as a Mathematica Module, where intermediate variables are locals to the module. When intermediate variables are not present, a single Mathematica expression is created: For example,
av1 B
2

bc0 d1= a+b+c a+b-c a-b+c -a+b+c v1= -d1 2a v1(-a-b-c) bc

E a b

0=

A C c

page 87

Geometry Expressions Manual

Copies as: Module[{d$$1,v$$1,$$0},d$$1=((((a*(1))+b+c))^(1/2)*((a+(b*(-1))+c))^(1/2)*((a+b+(c*(1))))^(1/2)*((a+b+c))^(1/2));v$$1=(d$$1*(a)^((-1))*(1/2));$$0=(((a*(-1))+(b*(-1))+(c*(-1)))*v$$1*(c)^((1))*(b)^((-1)));(($$0)^((-1))*(v$$1)^(2)*(c)^((1))*(b)^((-1))*a)]

While:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a + b c a b + c a + b+ c a + b + c

2 Ha b cL

B a+b-c a-b+c -a+b+c 2 a+b+c

E c

a D

A b C

Becomes: ((((a*(-1))+b+c))^(1/2)*((a+(b*(1))+c))^(1/2)*((a+b+(c*(-1))))^(1/2)*((a+b+c))^((1/2))*1/2)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a + b c a b + c a + b + c 2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a+ b+c

When you copy an expression as a module, you can work with the module numerically in Mathematica (by compiling it) without ever having to do a complete symbolic evaluation. This can be a useful feature when dealing with complicated expressions.
page 88

Geometry Expressions Manual

Copying from Mathematica into Geometry Expressions


In order to get Mathematica to create Content MathML, in a form suitable for Geometry Expressions, you should execute the following commands:

SetOptions[XML`MathML`ExpressionToMathML, "NamespacePrefixes" -> {}, "Formats" -> {"ContentMathML"}] SetOptions[XML`MathML`BoxesToMathML, "NamespacePrefixes" -> {}, "Formats" -> {"ContentMathML"}] SetOptions[Export, ConversionOptions -> {"NamespacePrefixes" -> {}, "Formats" -> {"ContentMathML"}}] SetOptions[ExportString, ConversionOptions -> {"NamespacePrefixes" -> {}, "Formats" -> {"ContentMathML"}}]

Working with Other Program


Geometry Expressions also gives options for exporting expressions in other Input formats: use

Copy As > Derive Input to transferring expressions directly into Derive Copy As > Maxima Input to transferring expressions directly into Maxima Copy As > MuPAD Input to transferring expressions directly into MuPAD Copy As > Nspire Input to transferring expressions directly into TINspire

Same as Copy As > Maple Input and Copy As > Mathematica Input, when you are using one of the above options, expressions copy in quite a different form when intermediate variables are present and when they are not present. When intermediate variables are present the expression copies as a function, where intermediate variables are locals to the function. When intermediate variables are not present, a single expression is created.

page 89

Geometry Expressions Manual

Drawing Tools

The Draw toolbox contains the drawing modes and the Selection Arrow. The drawing modes can also be invoked from the Draw menu. Once selected, a mode is active until you change to a different one. You can find the active mode by noting which button is pressed or looking at the mode area in the status bar.

Point

Line Segment Text

Infinite Line

Vector

Polygon

Circle

Picture

Expression

Function

Add a Point

To insert a point in your drawing, follow these steps: 1. 2. 3. Click the Point icon the Draw menu. Move the crosshairs in the Drawing toolbox or select Point from into position.

Click the mouse to place the point under the crosshair.


page 90

Geometry Expressions Manual

When the crosshairs are positioned over some geometry an incidence symbol (bowtie) is displayed around the point and the geometry is highlighted. A click of the mouse will create the point incident to the geometry.
b

The Line Segment Tool

To add line segments to your geometry follow these steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. Click on the Line Segment icon in the Draw toolbox or select Line Segment from the Draw menu. Position the cursor in the drawing window. Click the mouse to place each endpoint. Each line segment is displayed with a letter label for each endpoint.
B

You can change the label from the Select mode

To abort a line segment in the middle of the drawing operation, hit the "esc" key.
page 91

Geometry Expressions Manual

Drawing Lines

Lines are similar to line segments except they have infinite length. 1. 2. 3. Click the Infinite Line icon Line from the Draw menu. in the Draw toolbox or select Infinite

Position the line cursor in the drawing window. Click the cursor to anchor the line at the cursor position. The anchor point will be displayed on the line.

4.

Move the cursor in the drawing window to position the line and click the cursor when you get the line in the desired orientation.

Lines are infinite and do not have points associated with them unless you specifically place one on the line.

Active Axes
The x and y axes have the properties of perpendicular infinite lines. When the crosshairs are positioned over an axis, the incidence symbol (bowtie) is displayed at the intersection and the axis is highlighted. When the cursor is at the origin, both axes are highlighted. Points and End points of line segments can be placed directly on the axes.

page 92

Geometry Expressions Manual

Drawing Vectors

To add vectors to your geometry follow these steps: 1. 2. 3. Click the Vector icon the Draw menu. in the Draw toolbox or select Vector from

Position the cursor in the drawing window. Click the mouse to place each endpoint.

Each vector is displayed with a letter label for each endpoint. Drawing vectors is similar to drawing line segments, but vectors are constrained with coefficients of the form:
B

u0 A v0

The Polygon Tool

You can quickly create a multi-sided figure with these steps: 1. Click the Polygon icon from the Draw menu. in the Draw toolbox or select Polygon

page 93

Geometry Expressions Manual

2. 3.

Position the cursor in the drawing window. Move the cursor and click once to place each vertex.

As you create the sides of the polygon, each vertex is automatically assigned a letter name. You can change the label in Select mode.

When you create the last side of the polygon by clicking on the first vertex, the polygon will be filled. To change the appearance of the polygon, select Geometry tab in the Edit / Preferences menu. it and click the

Drawing Circles

To add a circle to your diagram, follow these steps: 1. 2. 3. Click the Circle icon in the Draw toolbox or select Circle from the Draw menu. Move the cursor in the drawing window to the position of the center of the circle and click once. Move the cursor to draw the circle in the desired size and click again.

Notice the circle is displayed with 2 points, the center and a point on the perimeter.
D E

You can adjust the circle in Select

mode.

page 94

Geometry Expressions Manual

Adding Text to the Drawing

To add titles or other annotation to the drawing follow these steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. From the Draw toolbox click the Text icon the Draw menu. or select Text from

Position the text cursor at the upper left corner where you would like your window of text located. Click and drag to form your text box. Enter and format your text in the Edit Text dialog.

Inserting and Editing Text


In the Edit Text dialog you can enter and format the text that will be displayed in your defined text window.

page 95

Geometry Expressions Manual

Using Picture in the Drawing

Liven up your examples with a picture or two, or use an image for reference points in your drawing. Here's how: 1. Click the Picture icon from the Draw menu. in the Draw toolbox or select Picture

2. Click and drag the cursor to delimit the area where you want to place the picture. 3. Find your image in the Select Image File dialog. Image formats include: .bmp .gif .jpg .pcx .png .tif 4. After entering your images, change to Select another Draw command. mode or choose

page 96

Geometry Expressions Manual

Pictures are always inserted under your drawing objects, so you can add a picture at any time. In Select mode you can move a picture, as with any drawing object.

Adding Expressions to the Drawing

You can type an algebraic expression in the drawing window and Geometry Expressions will solve it with whatever information it has available. Here are the steps: 1. 2. From the Draw toolbox click the Expression icon Expression from the Draw menu. or select

3.

Move the expression cursor to the position where you want it to appear in the drawing window and click to display the data entry box. Enter the expression using numbers, variables, and output expression names. Use the Symbols toolbox to help you enter mathematics.

Adding an expression to the diagram can help you work out relationships in the geometry. Here is an example making use of the Expression tool to see the relationship between similar triangles.

page 97

Geometry Expressions Manual


B

a z1

b ab a +b
2 2

A z0 z0 z1 a
2 2 2

a +b a b

Sides a and b are perpendicular, and AC is perpendicular to BD. We obtained the Output of lengths AD and BD using the Show Name button. The expression to solve is the relationship of the two lengths: z0 / z1. The system immediately tells us => a/b.

Creating Functions

1. 2.

icon in the Draw toolbox or select Function Click the Function from the Draw menu. Click the drop-down list button to select the function type that you want to use in your drawing.

page 98

Geometry Expressions Manual

For details on the functions, see Cartesian function (p. 99) Polar function (p. 102) Parametric function (p. 104)

Cartesian Function
When you select Cartesian from the Function Type dialog, the next line contains a general form of the function in terms of Y.

You can define this function in these ways: Modify the formula directly:

page 99

Geometry Expressions Manual

Modify the function interactively using "handles". In the drawing window, click the function to select it. Click and drag it and a circle appears on the curve. This handle represents one of the variables in the equation. You can click and drag this handle around the drawing. Click and drag another place on the function and another moveable handle appears if there is another variable in the equation. This feature is a wonderful way to understand exactly how the equation represents the function. In the first example, Y=ax2+b, a click gives you the b handle, the y-intercept, and lets you drag the function up and down. Click and drag another place on the curve and you get the a handle to change the shape of the curve.

page 100

Geometry Expressions Manual

Notice the Variable toolbox displays the changing values as you move the handles. Modify the function after it's drawn by double clicking the function tag.

The General Function F(x)


To use the general form of a function, Y=f(X), select Cartesian from the Function Type dialog, enter f(X) in the edit window and click OK:

Click the Functions tab of the Variables toolbox to see the values used in the function. You can define this function in these ways:

Modify the edit line at the bottom for the Functions tab. (Use your keyboard arrow keys to move through the whole function.)
page 101

Geometry Expressions Manual

Modify the function interactively using "handles". In the drawing window, click the function to select it. Click and drag it and a circle appears on the curve. This handle represents one of the variables in the equation. You can click and drag a handle around the drawing to change the curve. Click and drag another place on the curve and another moveable handle appears if there is another function variable in the equation. In the general function in this example we have 5 possible handles: f(a), f(b), f(k), f(u), and f(v).

Polar Function
When you select Polar from the Function Type dialog, the next line contains the general form of the function in terms of the radial coordinate, r and the polar angle, T.

page 102

Geometry Expressions Manual

You can define this function in these ways: Modify the formula and the curve domain directly:

Modify the function interactively using "handles". In the drawing window, click the function to select it. Click and drag it and a circle appears on the curve. This handle represents one of the variables in the equation. You can click and drag this handle around the drawing. Click and drag another place on the function and another moveable handle appears if there is another variable in the equation. This feature is a wonderful way to understand exactly how the equation represents the function. In the example above, r=aT3+b, the second click gives you the a handle; click and drag another place on the curve and you get the b handle to change the shape of the curve.

Notice the Variable toolbox displays the changing values as you move the handles.

Modify the function after it's drawn by double clicking the function tag.
page 103

Geometry Expressions Manual

Modify the domain of the function after it's drawn by double clicking the curve:

Parametric Function
When you select Parametric from the Function Type dialog, the next line contains the general form of the function in terms of X and Y and a parameter, T.

You can define this function in these ways: Modify the formula and its domain directly:

page 104

Geometry Expressions Manual

Modify the function interactively using "handles". In the drawing window, click the function to select it. Click and drag it and a circle appears on the curve. This handle represents one of the variables in the equation. You can click and drag this handle around the drawing. Click and drag another place on the function and another moveable handle appears if there is another variable in the equation. This feature is a wonderful way to understand exactly how the equation represents the function. In the example above, X=T-asin(T), Y=b-cos(T), a click and drag gives you the b handle, and lets you drag the function up and down. Click and drag another place on the curve and you get the a handle to change the shape of the curve.

Notice the Variable toolbox displays the changing values as you move the handles.

Modify the function after it's drawn by double clicking the function tag. Modify the domain of the function after it's drawn by double clicking the curve:

page 105

Geometry Expressions Manual

The Selection Arrow

When you are finished with the drawing functions, click the selection arrow to enable other functions or adjust your drawing. You must first select elements of the drawing in order to enter constraints and constructions and to output calculations. Many of the tools require you to select multiple objects. The Selection arrow is also available form the icon bar at the top of the screen.

Selecting Multiple Objects


Many of the Constrain, Construct, and Calculate tools require that you select more than one object. To select more than one object:

Click the selection arrow

on the tool bar.

Hold down the CTRL or SHIFT key as you click the objects you want to select.

If you click the wrong object while holding down the CTRL key, click it again and it will become unselected.
page 106

Geometry Expressions Manual

If all of the objects you wish to select fall within a rectangular region, you can use the selection box: 1. 2. Click on the selection arrow toolbox. on the tool bar or the Drawing

Draw a rectangle around all of the objects by clicking and dragging.

Adjusting the Drawing


Click the Select arrow , either from the Drawing toolbox or the icon bar, to move, rotate or delete selected object(s) in the drawing. You can also change a constraint value or label by double clicking it, retyping the value or variable and then pressing the enter key.

page 107

Geometry Expressions Manual

Drawing Constraints and How to Use Them

After sketching the geometry of a problem, constrain it with measurements, coordinates and implicit equations in real or symbolic terms. The drawing responds automatically to the assigned input constraints. Geometry Expressions will automatically add any constraints you leave out. Initially, all the constraints in the toolbox are inactive. You must first select the parts for your drawing that will be constrained. Constraint choices are listed below along with the drawing elements that must be preselected. Be careful when selecting geometry objects, if extra things are selected that are not related to the constraint (like other constraints) the constraints will remain inactive. This can happen by mistake, especially when using the selection box tool. Constraint Distance / Length Radius Perpendicular Angle Direction Slope Coordinate Coefficients Preselected Objects Two of any combination of points, lines, line segments, vectors, or polygon sides. A circle Two of any - lines, segments, vectors, or polygon sides. Two of any - lines, segments, vectors, or polygon sides. A line, segment, vector, or polygon side. A line, segment, vector, or polygon side. A point A vector
page 108

Geometry Expressions Manual

Tangent Incident Congruent Parallel Implicit Equation Point Proportional Along Curve

A circle or locus and a line, segment, vector, or polygon side. A point and a line, segment, vector, polygon side, circle or locus. Two or three of any line segment, vector, or polygon side. Two or three of any line segment, vector, or polygon side. A circle, line, segment, vector, or polygon side. A point and a line, segment, vector, polygon side, or locus

Occasionally you may try to add too many constraints to the geometry, causing a conflict. The system will help you correct this problem in the Resolve Constraint Conflict dialog.

System Added Constraints


In Geometry Expressions, you do not need to fully constrain your model. Any parameters you have left unconstrained are filled in by the geometry engine. For example, the following drawing is constrained only modulo a rigid transformation (typical for many geometry problems).
B

C A b

page 109

Geometry Expressions Manual

So if you ask for the coordinates of any of the points, they will be given in terms of system-added variables:
u0+ccos 0 ,v0+csin 0 B

A u0,v0 b u+ 0

a+b+c a+b-c a-b+c -a+b+c sin 0 2c

-a +b + +

Clearly the system has added variables for the location of point A, and for the direction of line AB. To display these variables, check the default setting, Show System Variables, found in the Edit / Preferences menu selection on the Math page (left panel) under Output.

page 110

Geometry Expressions Manual

When the setting is True, you will see the system variables when you select the output:

page 111

Geometry Expressions Manual

Changing a Constraint
To change a constraint, double click it with the selection arrow, the value or variable and press the enter key. retype

page 112

Geometry Expressions Manual

Constraint Conflicts
If you enter a constraint for some geometry which is already constrained by another constrained object you will see a message like the one below.

In this case, the Coordinate constraint was already determined by the other two sides and an angle constraint on the triangle. There are three ways of dealing with this problem: Hit the Cancel button to leave the drawing as it was without the new constraint. Click the first button, "Calculate the coordinates from other constraints" (the default choice). This is similar to the first choice, it eliminates the new constraint, but also calculates the selected geometrys value. In this case, the coordinates of point C would be calculated and displayed. If you choose "Relax other constraints so the coordinate is independent", this will keep the new constraint you just entered and allow you to eliminate one of the red highlighted constraints (figure 1). When you select one of these constraints (in figure 2 below we clicked on ), the highlight changes to gray. After you click Ok, the selected constraint, the angle in this case, is calculated and displayed (figure 3).

page 113

Geometry Expressions Manual

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3
page 114

Geometry Expressions Manual

Distance / Length Constraint

The Distance / Length constraint lets you specify the following dimensions: 1. 2. Length of a line segment, vector, or polygon side Distance between two points or a point and any one of the line types listed above.

To enter a constraint: 1. 2. Select the appropriate drawing object(s). When you make your selection, the Distance / Length icon will light up . Click the icon, enter the constraint value, either real or symbolic, and press enter. You can press enter without typing a value to accept the systems default value.

You can click the constraint and drag it to adjust its placement on the drawing.

Radius Constraint

To specify the radius of a circle: 1. Make sure youre in select mode and click the circle. The circle .

will be highlighted as well as the icon


page 115

Geometry Expressions Manual

2.

Click the Radius icon, enter the constraint value, either real or symbolic, and press enter. You can press enter without typing a value to let the system insert a variable name. You can click the constraint and drag it to adjust its placement on the drawing.

3.

Perpendicular Constraint

Any two of lines, segments, vectors or polygon sides can be constrained to be perpendicular with these steps: 1. 2. Select two from the line types listed above. .

Click the Perpendicular icon

The lines are redrawn and the perpendicular constraint is attached.

Angle Constraint

Any two of lines, segments, vectors or polygon sides can be constrained with an angle value or variable name with these steps: 1. 2. 3. Select two from the line types listed above. .

Click the Angle icon

Enter the constraint, real or symbolic. If you enter a real value, the lines will be adjusted to reflect the constraint.
page 116

Geometry Expressions Manual

Note: The angular units are displayed in the lower right of the screen. Change the default (Degrees or Radians) in the Edit / Preferences menu.

Direction Constraint

Constrain any of the line types; line, line segment, vector, or polygon side, to a direction measured from the horizontal. 1. 2. 3. Select one of the line types listed above. .

Click the Direction icon

Enter the constraint, real or symbolic. If you enter a real value, the line will be adjusted to reflect the constraint.

Note: The angular units are displayed in the lower right of the screen. Change the default (Degrees or Radians) in the Edit / Preferences menu.

Slope Constraint

Specify a slope for any of the line types; line, line segment, vector, or polygon side. 1. 2. 3. Select one of the line types listed above. .

Click the Slope icon

Enter the constraint, real or symbolic. If you enter a real value, the line will be adjusted to reflect the constraint.
page 117

Geometry Expressions Manual

Coordinate Constraint

You can give coordinates to any point in your drawing: 1. 2. 3. Select a point. .

Click the Coordinate icon

Enter the constraint, real or symbolic. If you enter a real value, the line will be adjusted to reflect the constraint, even if the coordinate axes are not displayed.

To change the coordinates shown, double click and type over the highlighted value in the data entry box.

Constraining Vector Coefficients

You can specify coefficients for a vector with the following steps: 1. 2. 3. Select a vector. .

Click the coefficients icon

Enter the coefficients separated by a comma.

Note: Dont forget the parentheses or an error message appears.

page 118

Geometry Expressions Manual

Tangent Constraint

Any of the line types; line, line segment, vector, or polygon side can be made tangent to a circle or locus with these steps: 1. 2. Select a line of the types listed above and the circle or locus.

Click the Tangent icon from the Constrain tool box or select Tangent from the Constrain menu.

The line and curve immediately become tangent.

Incident Constraint

Constrain a point to be incident to any other geometry; line, segment, vector, polygon side, circle or locus with these steps: 1. 2. Select the point and the other geometry listed above.

Click the Incident icon from the Constrain toolbox, or select Incident from the Constrain menu.

The point is moved to meet the line or curve, or the extension of the line. Below is an example of the latter, point D is moved to lie on the extension of line segment AB.

page 119

Geometry Expressions Manual

If you select the point or the line, incidence is indicated by a bowtie around the point:

Congruent Constraint

Constrain two or three of any of these geometry types: line segments, vectors, or polygon sides, to be congruent with these steps: 1. 2. Select two line segments.

Click the Congruent icon from the Constrain toolbox, or select Congruent from the Constrain menu.

You will see matching congruency lines on the selected segments and a length will be adjusted.

page 120

Geometry Expressions Manual

Parallel Constraint

Any two or three of the linear geometry types can be made parallel - line, segment, vector, or polygon side. 1. 2. Select two from the types listed above.

from the Constrain toolbox, or select Click the Parallel icon Parallel from the Constrain menu. appear

The geometry will be adjusted and matching symbols on the selected lines.

Implicit Equation Constraint

You can use symbolic variables to constrain geometry with an implicit equation. Lines, line segments, polygon sides, vectors and circles can all be constrained with implicit equations. 1. 2. Select the geometry.

Click the Implicit Equation icon from the Constrain toolbox, or select Implicit Equation from the Constrain menu.

An input window will open next to the geometry you selected. Highlighted in the window is a generic equation for the selected object; for a line, an equation like XA1+YB1+C1 = 0 might appear. You can edit the equation
page 121

Geometry Expressions Manual

with different variable names or coefficients as you like. You will find these variables added to the variable list in the Variables toolbox.

Constraining a Point Proportionally Along a Curve

A point proportion t along a curve is defined variously for different types of curves as follows:

For a line segment AB, it defines the point (1-t) A + tB For a circle it defines the point on the circle which subtends angle t at the center. For a locus or envelope, it defines the point at parameter value t.

To constrain a point proportionally along a curve, 1. 2. 3. Select a point and one of the curves mentioned above.

Click the Point Proportional icon from the Constrain toolbox, or select Point Proportional from the Constrain menu. Enter the parameter or quantity (symbolic or real) in the data entry box.

For example, in the following diagram, D is defined proportion t along AB, and E is defined proportion t along BC. The curve is the locus of F as t varies between 0 and 1.

page 122

Geometry Expressions Manual


x1,y1

t E F t

A x0,y0 C
2 2 2 2

x2,y2
2 2

z0

x0-2tx0+t x0+tx1-t x1+t x2 y0-2ty0+t y0+ty1-t y1+t y2 , 2 2 1-t+t 1-t+t

In the following example, the curve is the locus of the point (x,x2). Tangents are created at points with parameter values x0 and x1 on this curve.
3

x1

2
2

x0

x,x

-3

-2

-1 -1 -2 D

1 x 0+x 1 2

,x 0x 1

page 123

Geometry Expressions Manual

Creating Constructions

After sketching and constraining your drawing there are a whole set of constructions that can be applied to the geometry. First you must select the geometry elements which pertain to the construction. When you select the geometry the appropriate constructions will be highlighted. The following table lists the Constructions, their icons, and which elements must be preselected to activate the constructions. Be careful when selecting geometry objects, if extra things are selected that are not related to the construction, the construction icons will remain inactive. This can happen by mistake, especially when using the selection box tool. Construction Midpoint Intersection Perpendicular Bisector Angle Bisector Parallel Perpendicular Tangent Polygon Preselected Objects A line segment, vector, or polygon side. Two of: a line, segment, vector, or polygon side. A line segment, vector, or polygon side. Two of: a line, segment, vector, or polygon side. A point and one of: a line, segment, vector, or polygon side. A point and one of: a line, segment, vector, or polygon side. A circle or constructed locus Three or more line segments connected to form a polygon.
page 124

Geometry Expressions Manual

Reflection Translation Rotation Dilation Locus

One or more objects One or more objects One or more objects One or more objects A point that will vary with a parameter

Constructing a Midpoint

You can construct a midpoint on any line segment, vector, polygon side, or between two points by: 1. 2. Select two from the geometry types listed above. , or select Midpoint from the Construct

Click the Midpoint tool menu.

A point will appear in the middle of the selected line.

Intersections

You can construct a point of intersection between any of the line types in your geometry: line, segment, vector, polygon side or circle. 1. Select two from the line types listed above.

page 125

Geometry Expressions Manual

2.

Click the Intersection tool Construct menu.

or select Intersection from the

A new point and label will appear at the intersection. If the lines are segments that do not intersect, a point will be created at the extension of the lines as with line segments AB and CD below.
B

A C E

If the geometry will never intersect, the selected objects are moved to form the intersection. In the example below, the infinite line and circle become tangent at the newly created point, H.

page 126

Geometry Expressions Manual

Perpendicular Bisector

You can construct a perpendicular bisector on any line, segment, vector, or polygon side with these steps: 1. 2. Select any of the line types listed above. or select Perpendicular

Click the Perpendicular Bisector tool Bisector from the Construct menu.

An infinite line will appear at right angles to the selected line.

Angle Bisector

You can bisect the angle between any combination of line types; line, segment, vector, or polygon side with these steps: 1. 2. Select two of any of the line types listed above. or select Angle Bisector from the

Click the Angle Bisector tool Construct menu.

An infinite line will appear between the two selected lines. You can use the Calculate / Angle tool to get the value of the bisected angle.

page 127

Geometry Expressions Manual

Parallel Constructions

You can construct a line, through a point, and parallel to another line, segment, polygon side or vector with these steps: 1. 2. Select a point and a line of one of the types listed above. or select Parallel from the Construct

Click the Parallel tool menu.

A line is constructed which is parallel to the selected line and passes through the selected point

Perpendicular Constructions

You can construct a line, through a point, which is perpendicular to another line, segment, polygon side or vector with these steps: 1. 2. Select a point and a line of one of the types listed above. or select Perpendicular from the

Click the Perpendicular tool Construct menu.

A line is constructed which is perpendicular to the selected line and passes through the selected point

page 128

Geometry Expressions Manual

Tangents

You can construct a line that is tangent to a circle or locus with these steps: 1. 2. Select the circle or locus. or select Tangent from the Construct

Click the Tangent tool menu.

A line tangent to the selected curve will appear at the point where you selected the circle or curve.

Polygon Construction

If you created a polygon with the line segment tool, or your polygon was not shaded for some reason, (e.g. the drawing of the sides was interrupted or out of order) you can make joined line segments into a polygon that can be selected with a single click using this construction. 1. 2. Select the line segments that make up the polygon.

Click the Polygon tool in the Construct toolbox, or select Polygon from the Construct menu.

The polygon will be filled and you can now select the entire polygon with a single click.

page 129

Geometry Expressions Manual

Reflection

You can reflect any subset of your diagram about a line with these steps: 1. 2. 3. Select one or more geometry objects to reflect.

in the Construct toolbox, or select Click the Reflection tool Reflection from the Construct menu. Either click the cursor to place the reflection line on the screen, adjust the angle and click again, or select an existing line as the reflection line.

A copy of your selected geometry will appear on the other side of the reflection line. Notice all points on the reflected geometry are written as "prime", i.e. A becomes A. If you reflect the geometry again, A becomes A".

Translation

You can translate any subset of your diagram with a translation vector. Here are the steps: 1. 2. Select the geometry to be translated.

Click the Translation tool in the Construct toolbox, or select Translation from the Construct menu.

page 130

Geometry Expressions Manual

3.

Click the cursor to draw the end point of your translation vector and move the cursor to establish the length and angle of the translation. Click again to finish the vector.

The translated geometry appears. You can adjust the position of the translation by clicking and dragging the tip of the vector. Notice all points on the translated geometry are written as "prime", i.e. A becomes A'. If you translate this geometry again, A' becomes A".

Rotation

You can rotate any subset of your diagram about a point. Here are the steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. Select the geometry to be rotated.

Click the Rotation tool in the Construct toolbox, or select Rotation from the Construct menu. Click the screen to place your rotation point. In the data entry box presented, enter the angle of rotation.

The rotation of the selected geometry appears. Notice all points on the rotated geometry are written as "prime", i.e. A becomes A. If you rotate this geometry again, A becomes A".

page 131

Geometry Expressions Manual

Dilation

You can dilate any subset of your diagram from a point. Here are the steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. Select the geometry to be dilated.

Click the Dilation tool in the Construct toolbox, or select Dilation from the Construct menu. Click the screen to place your dilation point. In the data entry box presented, enter the dilation factor.

The dilated geometry appears. Notice all points on the dilated geometry are written as "prime", i.e. A becomes A. If you dilate this geometry again, A becomes A".

Locus of Points / Envelope

You can construct a locus of points or envelope from a selected point or line, by defining a range for some constraint in the drawing. Just follow these easy steps: 1. Select the point on the drawing that will form the locus (point B in the example below); select a line, line segment, or vector to form an envelope. When you click the Locus icon , the Edit Locus dialog pops up.

2.

page 132

Geometry Expressions Manual

Simply fill in the values for the appropriate variable. Click the arrow key to the right of the Parametric Variable window to select from a list of all variables in the drawing. (If you entered the constraint in real terms, change it to a variable by double-clicking the constraint.)

Click the Ok button and the locus will appear.


4 3 t 2 1 (a,0) A -1 (0,0) -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 C 8 kt B

Note: The locus only works if the figures position is fixed - i.e. a point in a triangle will not work as a locus unless the locations of the other two points are fixed with coordinate constraints.
page 133

Geometry Expressions Manual

The following example shows an envelope of the line DE. We use the Point proportional along curve constraint and the parameter t to position the points D and E (D is (1-t) along line AC and E is t along line AB). In the Edit Locus dialog, we create the envelope from parameter t as it ranges from 0 to 1.

You can replay the creation of the envelope with the Animation tools. Select variable t and click the Play button.

page 134

Geometry Expressions Manual

Output Calculations

Geometry Expressions will make calculations in the geometry based on any constraints or constructions you have specified, or just from the sketch. Calculations can be output in Real or Symbolic terms by choosing the appropriate tab. If you havent supplied all of the necessary input constraints, the system inserts any missing variables automatically or, for real calculations, bases the value on the sketch. Some calculations may take longer than you expected. If the calculation isnt immediate, you can stop it and restart it with these buttons on the tool bar. Stop calculations Restart calculations. You may want to reconsider the problem, add constraints, or just let it continue with the calculation. The Stop calculations and Start calculations can be found under Calculate (Output) menu and under general context menu (p. 169). The table below lists all the available calculations and geometry elements which must be preselected. Be careful when selecting geometry objects, if extra things are selected that are not related to the calculation (like other calculations) the calculations will remain inactive. This can happen by mistake, especially when using the selection box tool.
page 135

Geometry Expressions Manual

Calculation Distance / Length

Preselected Object(s) A line segment, vector, or polygon side, or a point and one of these line types (perpendicular distance), or two points. Circle Two of any line, segment, vector, or polygon side. A line, segment, vector, or polygon side. A line, segment, vector, or polygon side. Point Circle or polygon Circle or polygon Vector A line, segment, vector, polygon side, circle, or a constructed locus. A line, segment, vector, polygon side, circle, or a constructed locus.

Radius Angle Direction Slope Coordinates Area Perimeter Coefficients Parametric Equation Implicit Equation

Distance / Length Calculation

Length calculations may be obtained for any line segment, polygon side or vector. Distance calculations are available between two points, or the perpendicular distance between a point and a line, segment, polygon side, or vector. Use these steps:
page 136

Geometry Expressions Manual

1. 2. 3.

Select the line segment, or point and line, or pair of points as described above. Click the tab to switch from Real to Symbolic output or vice versa. Click the Distance / Length tool in the Calculate toolbox or select Distance / Length from the Calculate menu.

Geometry Expressions displays the length, using any relevant parameters you may have specified.

Radius Calculation

Geometry Expressions will calculate the radius of any circle. Use these steps to find the radius: 1. 2. 3. Select a circle.

Click the tab to switch from Real to Symbolic output or vice versa. Click the Radius tool in the Calculate toolbox or select Radius from the Calculate menu.

The equation with real or symbolic terms appears in the diagram.

Angle Calculation

page 137

Geometry Expressions Manual

Geometry Expressions will calculate any angle between lines in the geometry. Use these steps to find the angle: 1. 2. 3. Select two line types.

Click the tab to switch from Real to Symbolic output or vice versa. Click the Angle tool in the Calculate toolbox or select Angle from the Calculate menu.

The equation with real or symbolic terms appears in the diagram. You can obtain the angles supplement by dragging the angle symbol.

Supplementary Angles
If its unclear whether a calculation is requested for the angle or its supplement, you can drag the angle symbol to the correct position. Here are some examples of playing around with supplementary angles, both inputs and outputs:

page 138

Geometry Expressions Manual

Direction Calculation

Geometry Expressions will calculate the direction of lines, segments, polygon sides, or vectors with these steps: 1. 2. 3. Select a line type.

Click the tab to switch from Real to Symbolic output or vice versa. Click the Direction tool in the Calculate toolbox or select Direction from the Calculate menu.

The direction measurement appears in real or symbolic terms.

page 139

Geometry Expressions Manual

Slope Calculation

Geometry Expressions will calculate the slope of lines, segments, polygon sides, or vectors with these steps: 1. 2. 3. Select a line type.

Click the tab to switch from Real to Symbolic output or vice versa. Click the Slope tool in the Calculate toolbox or select Slope from the Calculate menu.

The equation for the slope with real or symbolic terms appears in the diagram.

Calculate Coordinates

You can calculate the coordinates of any point in your diagram with these steps: 1. 2. 3. Select a point.

Click the tab to switch from Real to Symbolic output or vice versa. Click the Coordinates tool in the Calculate toolbox or select Coordinates from the Calculate menu.

page 140

Geometry Expressions Manual

The real or symbolic coordinates appear by the point.

Area Calculation

You can obtain the area of any polygon or circle in your diagram. Note: If your polygon is not filled it is just a group of line segments. To convert them to a polygon, use the Polygon Construction tool, then proceed with these steps: 1. 2. 3. Select a circle or polygon.

Click the tab to switch from Real to Symbolic output or vice versa. Click the Area tool in the Calculate toolbox or select Area from the Calculate menu.

The area is displayed in real or symbolic terms.

Perimeter Calculation

You can obtain the perimeter of any polygon or circle in your diagram. Note: If your polygon is not filled it is just a group of line segments. To convert them to a polygon, use the Polygon Construction tool, then proceed with these steps:
page 141

Geometry Expressions Manual

1. 2. 3.

Select

a circle or polygon.

Click the tab to switch from Real to Symbolic output or vice versa. Click the Perimeter tool in the Calculate toolbox or select Perimeter from the Calculate menu.

The perimeter is displayed in real or symbolic terms.

Calculate Coefficients

Use this tool to calculate the coefficients of a vector in the diagram with these steps: 1. 2. 3. Select a vector.

Click the tab to switch from Real to Symbolic output or vice versa. Click the Coefficients tool in the Calculate toolbox or select Coefficients from the Calculate menu.

The real or symbolic coefficients appear by the point.

Calculating Parametric Equations

page 142

Geometry Expressions Manual

Computes parametric equations for a locus or envelope, based on the parameter defining the curve. You can also calculate parametric equations for a circle or line. Use these steps: 1. 2. 3. Select any geometry object described above.

Click the tab to switch from Real to Symbolic output or vice versa. Click the Parametric Equation tool in the Calculate toolbox or select Parametric Equation from the Calculate menu.

The real or symbolic equations for x and y appear by the geometry.

Calculating Implicit Equations

Calculates the implicit equation for the selected circle or a line. Geometry Expressions will also attempt to calculate the equation of a locus or envelope curve. 1. 2. 3. Select any geometry object described above.

Click the tab to switch from Real to Symbolic output or vice versa. Click the Implicit Equation tool in the Calculate toolbox or select Implicit Equation from the Calculate menu.

The real or symbolic equation appears by the geometry.

page 143

Geometry Expressions Manual

Viewing the Output


The Output settings apply to Symbolic Calculations. The general default Output settings are found in the Edit / Preferences menu selection,

Math tab

Individual outputs can be adjusted in the Display Properties dialog. Select the output(s), then invoke the dialog in one of two ways:

right click the mouse and select Properties from the Selection context menu

from the menu bar, select Edit / Properties

page 144

Geometry Expressions Manual

The Output selections specify how the calculations are made and how the output is displayed. Use Assumptions - applies to equations containing absolute values (p. 145). Use Intermediate Variables - can sometimes simplify the output (p. 146). The "Show" check boxes control where the output is displayed (p. 147). Click the Output selection, and then the drop-down arrow the desired state - True or False. to select

Assumptions
With the Use Assumptions check box, Geometry Expressions eliminates the absolute value from expressions and determines from the diagram whether the value is positive or negative. Try it with these steps: 1. 2. 3. Select an output calculation.

Click the Use Assumptions check box. Click the box again to change back to the previous form.
page 145

Geometry Expressions Manual

Obviously, this tool only has an effect when the expression selected contains an absolute value.

Intermediate Variables
Substituting intermediate variables can sometimes simplify expressions calculated by the program. Try this option to see how it affects your output: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. select one or more output calculations

right click the mouse and select Properties from the Selection context menu click anywhere on the Use Intermediate Variables line in the Output box click the drop-down arrow select False or True

If Use Intermediate Variables is False, the Show Intermediate Variables is inactive. Note: Intermediate variables are not always used in calculations, in which case this box will have no effect.

page 146

Geometry Expressions Manual

Show Output Check Boxes

After you generate an output expression: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. click the output right click the mouse and select Properties from the Selection context menu click one of the Output / Show. . . rows click the drop-down arrow select False or True

Show Intermediate Variables - if the system uses intermediate variables, their definitions are displayed in the output window. Show Name - is a term assigned by the system to the output. This name is zn where n is the sequential number of the output.

page 147

Geometry Expressions Manual

Show On Diagram - puts the output expression on the diagram when True. Show in Output Window - puts the output expression in the Output Window when True. If this value is True, then Show Name becomes True. Too Big for Diagram - the output expression is moved to the output window when True (Show in Output Window becomes True, Show On Diagram becomes False).

page 148

Geometry Expressions Manual

The Symbols Toolbox

The Symbols toolbox lets you easily insert Greek letters into your expressions and constraints. Click the tab to choose from lower case or upper case Greek letters. The bottom row of buttons in the toolbox lets you insert commonly used math operations.

Inserting Greek Letters


To insert Greek letters into any variable name or expression, click the appropriate tab, Greek Upper (upper case letters) or Greek Lower ( lower case letters), and click the letters to be inserted into the data entry box.

Multiplication and Division Editing Tools


The Multiplication button inserts a multiplication symbol into the expression. The Division button makes expressions easier to enter and read.
page 149

Geometry Expressions Manual

From the data entry box, enter the numerator of the expression,

highlight it, and then click Division. The cursor is then positioned in the denominator.

If you click the Division button first, be sure to place the cursor in the appropriate place before typing the expression.

Square Root Editing Tool


You can enter square roots in one of two ways: 1. 2. From the data entry box, enter the expression you want inside the square root, highlight the terms, and click the Square Root button. From the data entry box, click the Square Root button, then highlight the 0 and type the terms.

Subscript / Superscript Editor


You can enter superscripts or subscripts for variables in one of these ways: From the data entry box, enter the expression you want sub/superscripted, highlight the terms and click the Subscript or Superscript button.

From the data entry box, click the Sub/Superscript button and type the values into the grey boxes.

Note: Make sure the cursor is positioned at the left side of the gray box before typing the sub/superscript.

Another way to make a subscript is to use square brackets A[1] = A1


page 150

Geometry Expressions Manual

Parentheses and Absolute Value Notation


You can add parentheses or an absolute value sign to a term in one of two ways: 1. From the data input box, type the term(s), highlight it, then click the Parentheses or Absolute Value button.

2.

From the data entry box, click the Parentheses Value button and enter the terms.

or Absolute

The Variables Toolbox

page 151

Geometry Expressions Manual

The Variables toolbox reports all the variables you have used in the diagram and lets you manipulate their values. For details on the sections of the toolbox, see:

Variables list box (p. 153) Variable edit window (p. 156) Animation console (p. 158) Animation mode buttons (p. 158) Animation values and duration (p. 158)

page 152

Geometry Expressions Manual

Variable List

This list contains the names of all variables used in your diagram. For every variable name, the system shows:

the current value these values can be ones that you have explicitly specified, or just taken from the way you sketched the geometry. lock status if the variable is locked (+) its value will not change if you move the geometry or add additional constraints; the unlocked (-) variable is free to change as the geometry moves or changes.

page 153

Geometry Expressions Manual

Function List
When using the Function command (see p. 98) to draw a function of the form Y=f(X) + g(X), the Functions tab in the Variables toolbox lists the functions f and g and their values. Use the edit line at the bottom of the box to modify the functions.

Using the Lock Tool


By default, when you drag points in a Geometry Expressions model, it will adjust the numerical sample values used in the various parameters of the model to accommodate the drag, as best it can.

page 154

Geometry Expressions Manual

For example, in the model of a 4 bar linkage below, dragging point B will cause lengths a and b and angle to be adjusted appropriately.
C b B c a A x 0,y 0 x 1,y 1 D

However, you may want the drag to act as if the members AB and BC were rigid, and only angle theta adjustable. To do this you can lock parameters for dragging:

The value of a, for example, can still be set from the Variables panel, but it will not change when the model is dragged.
page 155

Geometry Expressions Manual

Changing and Locking the Variable Value

To make a change to the variable list, first click anyplace in the row of the variable you want to change. That row will be highlighted. To change the value: highlight the value in the edit window and type the new value. To change the lock status: just click the button to unlock a locked variable to lock an open variable

page 156

Geometry Expressions Manual

Animation
Your geometry comes to life with the Animation tools. You simply need to select the parameter that drives the animation, give it a range, then Play. In the diagram below we select for the crank of this linkage.

Animation console works like a video player. Animation modes indicates how the range for the animation is stepped through. Animation values and duration where you specify the speed and the range for the driving parameter.

page 157

Geometry Expressions Manual

Users of numeric interactive geometry systems may be familiar with the concept of animation based on points animated along line segments or curves. This type of animation can be conveniently modeled in Geometry Expressions using the point proportional along a curve constraint along with parameter based animation.

Animation Console
The Animation console works like a standard video console with the Play, Pause, and Stop buttons as well as advance to the Beginning and End buttons.

Animation Modes
The animation modes can be changed with the up/down arrow buttons. The modes are: Runs the animation one time through the specified range. Runs the animation continuously from the beginning to the end of the range. Runs the animation one time forward and then backward through the specified range. Runs the animation continuously forward and then backward through the specified range.

Animation Values and Duration

These animation buttons help you adjust the range and speed of the animation.

Click and drag the slider along the bar to manually animate the drawing.

page 158

Geometry Expressions Manual

In the two data entry windows at the bottom right and left of the toolbox, specify the range of the animation. The Duration box in the center lets you specify how long the animation takes to play one time through. Values are between 1 and 60 seconds.

Animation and the Locus Tool


Both the construction of the locus and envelope curves, and the animation of the diagram in Geometry Expressions can be defined in terms of any variable. For example in the model below, we can create a locus over values of the variable t (other variables will be kept constant).

B L-t t

A (-a,0)

C (a,0)

B L-t t

A (-a,0)

C (a,0)

page 159

Geometry Expressions Manual

File Menu
The File menu contains the standard Windows file handling operations with options for copying and exporting to other programs. Several of the options are also available from the icon bar. Menu Option New Open. . . Close Function Creates a new project. Brings up the Open File dialog box so you can open a project. Closes the current file or, if multiple files are open, the file on top Saves the file. If you have not yet saved the current work to a file, the Save File As dialog box lets you specify where to save the project file. Brings up the Save File As dialog box so you can specify where to save the project file or change the file name Export the file as Windows Metafile (.emf) (Windows version only), as Encapsulated PostScript (.eps) file, or an image file. Displays the page set-up dialog box for choosing a printer and print options Displays the printout by pages Displays the standard system Print dialog Click to display a list of the most recently used files. Selecting one opens it. Exits the program, after prompting for save

Save

Save As . . .

Export

Page Setup. . .

Print Preview Print. . . Recent files Exit

page 160

Geometry Expressions Manual

Exporting a Drawing

To export your drawing to another program, choose File > Export. You can export the drawing as a Windows Enhanced Metafile, as an Encapsulated PostScript (.eps) file, or in one of several standard image formats. File > Export > Image File displays the Image Export dialog.

Click the right hand arrow .bmp .png

to select one of the following formats: .jpg .xpm .tiff

Set the resolution in the File DPI box - click the down arrow and select the appropriate setting, or enter a custom setting. Enter the Filename or click the folder icon to select the appropriate folder and file. Click OK to save or Cancel to abort the save.
page 161

Geometry Expressions Manual

Edit Menu
The Edit menu contains the standard Windows editing operations as well as ways of dealing with constraint conflicts and all of the program settings. Several of the options are also available from the icon bar. Menu Option Undo Redo Function Reverses actions starting with the last one. Reinstates actions starting with the last one that was undone. When checked, the select mode is active When Available After any action has been taken. After using Undo

Select

Select mode is always active except when using a Drawing tool or moving or panning the drawing. Always An object is selected

Select All

Selects everything in the drawing window Deletes an object, but saves it so it can be pasted somewhere else. Does not delete the object, but saves is so it can be pasted somewhere else. Displays a submenu of choices for copying mathematics into other programs Copies everything in the drawing window as an Enhanced Metafile (.emf) Puts whatever has been cut or copied into the current document
page 162

Cut

Copy Copy As

An object is selected

An expression or formula is selected

Copy Drawing

Always

Paste

Object(s) cut or copied

Geometry Expressions Manual

Delete Send to Mathematica

Deletes whatever is selected, without saving it. Transfers expression directly to Mathematica

One or more object(s) selected Windows version only An input constraint or an output expression is selected An output expression is selected

Convert to Constraint

Tries to convert a selected output [2] to an input constraint if there is no conflict with other constraints Converts the selected constraint into a measurement (output) Lets you edit the display properties of the selected object(s) Lets you edit the domain of a polar or parametric function Sets the default appearance and properties for the projects drawing, text and mathematics

Convert to Measurement Properties. . .

An input constraint is selected One or more objects of the same type are selected A polar or parametric function is selected Always

Edit Curve Domain. . . Preferences. . .

NOTE: For the Mac version, Preferences is listed under Geometry Expressions menu.

page 163

Geometry Expressions Manual

View Menu
The View menu has Zoom operations pertaining to the screen view, and Scale operations pertaining to the page view. The table below lists the complete summary of View functions. Menu Option Hide Show all Zoom In Function Hides a selection Displays any entities that were hidden Makes the drawing details larger without affecting the size on the printed page. (The text gets larger on the screen.) Makes the drawing details smaller without affecting the size on the printed page. (The text gets smaller on the screen.) Lets you make a selection and adjusts it to fit the drawing window. (The text gets larger on the screen.) The entire diagram is displayed in the drawing window. (The text size changes with the geometry.) The whole page is displayed in the drawing window. (The text size changes with the geometry.)
page 164

When Available One or more element(s) are selected. One or more element(s) are hidden. Always available (most useful when there is something in the drawing window). Always available (most useful when there is something in the drawing window). Always available (most useful when there is something in the drawing window). Always available (most useful when there is something in the drawing window). Always available (most useful when there is something in the drawing window).

Zoom Out

Zoom To Selection

Zoom To Fit

Zoom To Page

Geometry Expressions Manual

Pan View

Allows you to move the contents of the drawing window without changing its position on the page. Enlarges only the geometry. (The text size on the screen doesnt change.) Shrinks only the geometry. (The text size on the screen doesnt change.) Lets you select a portion of the geometry and adjusts it to fit the drawing window (The text size on the screen doesnt change.) Adjusts all geometry to fit in the drawing window. (The text size on the screen doesnt change.) Adjusts all geometry to fit inside the specified page boundaries. (The text size doesnt change relative to the page.) When checked, click and drag to move the drawing contents with respect to the page boundaries. When checked, the axes are displayed. When checked, the grid is displayed.

Always available (most useful when there is something in the drawing window). Always

Scale Geometry Up Scale Geometry Down Scale Geometry To Selection

Always

Always

Scale Geometry To Fit

Always

Scale Geometry To Page

Always

Move Geometry

Always. (Make sure Page Boundaries is checked to see the results.) Always Always

Axes Grid

page 165

Geometry Expressions Manual

Page Boundaries Tools

When checked, the page boundaries are displayed. When checked, the toolboxes are displayed to the side of the drawing window. When checked, the output window is displayed. The current version of Geometry Expressions can be displayed in English, French, German, Polish, Russian, or Spanish. Choose one and restart the program.

Always Always

Output Language

Always Always

Checked menu options are toggles:

Checked indicates the option / mode is active or displayed. Unchecked indicates the option / mode is inactive or hidden.

Click the selection to change its state.

page 166

Geometry Expressions Manual

Toolbox Menus
The menus with the same name as the toolboxes at the side of the screen just give another way of accessing the same functions. Menu Option Draw (p. 90) Selection Point Line Segment Infinite Line Vector Constrain (p. 108) Distance / Length Radius Perpendicular Angle Equation Construct (p. 124) Midpoint Intersection Perpendicular Bisector Angle Bisector Locus Calculate (p. 135) Distance / Length Direction Radius Coordinates Coefficients Area Slope Angle Perimeter Polygon Circle Text Picture Direction Slope Coordinate Coefficients Proportional Parallel Perpendicular Tangent to Curve Polygon Reflection Translation Rotation Dilation Tangent Incident Congruent Parallel Expression Function

page 167

Geometry Expressions Manual

Help Menu
The Help menu lets you access this help system, check for updates, change the programs language, and gives you information about the programs license and version. The menu selections are always available. Menu Option Dynamic Help Contents. . . Index. . . Search. . . License. . . Check for Updates. . . About. . . Function Invokes the Help system Look in the Table of Contents; add new or refer to saved bookmarks. Look in the Help index. There is also a facility to Search index headings. Search the Help topics for keywords. Displays information about your license. Prompts you to save your work, checks for new versions of Geometry Expressions, then restarts the program. Contains the current version of the program, the copyright notice, and the link to Geometry Expressions website.

NOTE: For the Mac version, About is listed under Geometry Expressions menu.

page 168

Geometry Expressions Manual

Context Menus
Context Menus pop up when you right-click with the cursor positioned anywhere in the drawing window.

The general context menu appears when you right click and nothing is selected. The selection context menu appears when one or more elements in the drawing window are selected. Some menu entries my be inactive, depending on which elements are selected.

The General Context Menu


Right-click anywhere in the Drawing Window to display a context menu. If nothing in the window is selected, the menu choices are the following: Menu Option Close Save Save As. . . Select All Copy Drawing Function Closes the current file Updates a file that already exists Saves a file for the first time and prompt for the filename and path Selects everything in the drawing window Copies everything in the drawing window as an Enhanced Metafile (.emf) Puts whatever has been cut or copied into the current document Displays any entities that were hidden Stop current calculations Restart any stopped calculations When Available Always The file has been saved Always Always Always

Paste Show All Stop calculations Start calculations

Object(s) cut or copied One or more element(s) are hidden A calculation isn't finished A calculation is stopped by users

page 169

Geometry Expressions Manual

Selection Context Menu


Menu Option Cut Copy Function Deletes an object, but saves it so it can be pasted somewhere else. Does not delete the object, but saves is so it can be pasted somewhere else. Displays a submenu of choices for copying mathematics into other programs Puts whatever has been cut or copied into the current document Deletes whatever is selected, without saving it. Transfers expression directly to Mathematica When Available An object is selected An object is selected

Copy As

An expression or formula is selected Object(s) cut or copied One or more object(s) selected An input constraint or an output expression is selected A geometry object is selected A geometry object is selected A geometry object is selected One or more object(s) selected A polar or parametric function is selected

Paste Delete Send to Mathematica

Constrain (Input) Construct

Displays a submenu identical to the one in the same drop-down menu on the Menu Bar Displays a submenu identical to the one in the same drop-down menu on the Menu Bar Displays a submenu identical to the one in the same drop-down menu on the Menu Bar Hides one or more selections Lets you edit the domain of a polar or parametric function

Calculate (Output) Hide Edit Curve Domain

page 170

Geometry Expressions Manual

Properties. . .

Lets you edit the display properties of the selected object(s) Deletes the selected constraint and calculates the equivalent output Changes the calculation to an input constraint

One or several similar objects are selected Only displayed when a constraint is selected Only displayed when an output expression is selected

[Convert to Calculation (Output)] [Convert to Constraint (Input)]

page 171

Geometry Expressions Manual

V. Whats New in Geometry Expressions?


The User Interface has changed in Geometry Expressions v1.1. You can move the toolboxes around the periphery of the drawing window by clicking the title bar and dragging. You can still float a toolbox by clicking the pushpin on the upper right corner of individual toolboxes. You can hide a toolbox by clicking the X on the upper right corner of individual toolboxes. To display a hidden toolbox, select View / Tool Panels and then click a toolbox name that is not preceded by a check. With the new UI, after rearranging toolboxes to your preference, you can save the configuration in case it gets messed up, or perhaps to arrange the tools differently for different projects. This is easy with the View / Tool Panel Configurations menu selection. Give a name to the window arrangement for future reference. Several configurations can be saved in a list and selected when needed. New Copy options let you easily move expressions or functions from Geometry Expressions to TI-Nspire CAS and vice versa. Last but not least, you can now set the transparency property for bitmaps

page 173

Geometry Expressions Manual

VI. Where is the Geometry Expressions Website?


Information on upgrades, additional technical support and loads of great examples can be found on the Geometry Expressions website at: www.GeometryExpressions.com.

page 175

Geometry Expressions Manual

Index
.emf ................................................... 161 .xmp .................................................. 161 Absolute Value Notation ................... 151 Absolute Values.................................. 27 Active Axes ......................................... 92 adjusting the drawing........................ 107 ambiguities.......................................... 15 Ambiguity Resolving......................................... 19 angle ................................. 116, 127, 138 bisector .......................................... 127 calculate ........................................ 138 supplement .................................... 138 Angle Bisector..................................... 64 animation ..............33, 57, 157, 158, 159 console .......................................... 158 duration.......................................... 158 modes............................................ 158 parameter based ........................... 159 values ............................................ 159 with Locus tool............................... 159 annotation ........................................... 95 Apollonius Circle ............................................... 66 Application-added Variables............... 17 area..................................................... 62 area calculation................................. 141 assumptions................................ 27, 145 bisector ............................................. 127 angle.............................................. 127 perpendicular ................................ 127 calculations...... 135, 136, 137, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143 angle.............................................. 137 area ............................................... 141 coordinates.................................... 140 direction......................................... 139 distance / length ............................ 136 implicit equations........................... 143 parametric equations..................... 143 perimeter ............................... 141, 142 radius............................................. 137 slope.............................................. 140 vector coefficients ......................... 142 Caustic................................................ 67 circles ................................................. 94 Circumcircle........................................ 62 congruence....................................... 120 conics ................................................. 68 Constraint-based Drawing.................. 11 constraints ..... 10, 17, 21, 108, 109, 113, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122 angle.............................................. 116 conflicts ............................. 20, 47, 113 congruent line segments ............... 120 coordinate...................................... 118 direction......................................... 117 distance ......................................... 115 equation......................................... 121 incident .......................................... 119

page 177

Geometry Expressions Manual length............................................. 115 parallel line segments.................... 121 perpendicular................................. 116 point proportional along curve ....... 122 radius............................................. 115 slope .............................................. 117 system added .......................... 17, 109 tangents......................................... 119 vector coefficients.......................... 118 Construction Sequence ...................... 15 Construction-based Drawing .............. 12 constructions......10, 124, 125, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132 angle bisector ................................ 127 dilation ........................................... 132 intersection ............................ 125, 126 locus of points................................ 132 midpoints ....................................... 125 parallel ........................................... 128 perpendicular bisector ................... 127 perpendicular lines ........................ 128 reflection ........................................ 130 rotation........................................... 131 tangent........................................... 129 translation ...................................... 130 Context Menus.................................. 169 coordinates ....................... 118, 140, 141 calculation...................................... 140 Copy As Content MathML .............................. 82 Maple Input...................................... 85 Mathematica Input........................... 87 Other programs ............................... 89 Presentation MathML ...................... 83 String ............................................... 82 dilation .............................................. 132 direction .................................... 117, 139 calculate ........................................ 139 constraint....................................... 117 display .......................................... 72, 76 configuration.................................... 76 distance ............................ 115, 136, 137 calculation ..................................... 136 constraint....................................... 115 drawing .. 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 107, 108 adjusting ........................................ 107 circles .............................................. 94 constraints ..................................... 108 expressions ..................................... 97 line segments .................................. 91 lines ................................................. 92 points............................................... 90 polygons .......................................... 93 text................................................... 95 tools................................................. 90 vectors............................................. 93 Edit Menu ......................................... 162 ellipse ................................................. 53 envelope ............................. 67, 132, 134 Equations.................................. 121, 143 constraint....................................... 121 implicit ........................................... 121 calculating ................................. 143 exporting drawings ........................... 161 expressions ........................................ 97 File Menu.................................. 160, 161 Export ............................................ 161

page 178

Geometry Expressions Manual Function Cartesian ................................. 98, 101 domain...........103, 104, 105, 163, 170 f(X)................................................. 101 handles ....30, 100, 101, 102, 103, 105 Parametric ............................... 99, 104 Polar ........................................ 99, 102 Greek letters ..................................... 149 help ..................................................... 71 using the Help system ..................... 71 Help Menu ........................................ 168 image export ..................................... 161 incidence........................................... 120 Intermediate Variables........................ 29 intersections...................................... 125 length ................................ 115, 136, 137 calculation...................................... 136 constraint ....................................... 115 line ........................91, 92, 125, 126, 128 infinite .............................................. 92 intersections .................................. 125 parallel construction ...................... 128 segments ......................................... 91 Locking Variables ....................... 33, 154 Using the lock .......................... 33, 154 Locus .................................................. 53 locus of points........................... 132, 159 curves and animation .................... 159 Maple .................................................. 85 Mathematica ....................................... 87 MathML............................................... 82 Menus ............................................... 169 Context .................................. 169, 170 Edit Menu ...................................... 162 File Menu....................................... 160 Help Menu ..................................... 168 Toolbox Menu ............................... 167 View Menu..................................... 164 Metafile ............................................. 161 midpoints .......................................... 125 New Features ................................... 173 output........................................ 135, 145 assumptions .................................. 145 check boxes .................................. 147 specifications................................. 144 output calculations ..................................... 27 page tabs............................................ 77 arranging ......................................... 77 parabola.............................................. 69 parallel ...................................... 121, 128 construction................................... 128 parametric equations output ............................................ 143 Parentheses for Math Notation......... 151 perimeter calculation ........................ 141 perpendicular.................... 116, 127, 128 bisector.......................................... 127 constraint....................................... 116 construction................................... 128 Picture .................................. 90, 96, 167 points .......................................... 90, 123 constrained along curve ................ 122 polygons ..................................... 93, 129 construction................................... 129 drawing............................................ 93 radius........................................ 115, 137 calculate ........................................ 137

page 179

Geometry Expressions Manual constraint ....................................... 116 Reflection.............................. 58, 67, 130 rotation.............................................. 131 screen layout ...................................... 72 selecting............................................ 106 geometry........................................ 106 multiple objects.............................. 106 show output ...................................... 147 slope ......................................... 117, 140 calculate ........................................ 140 Spline.................................................. 68 square root editing tool ..................... 150 status bar ............................................ 73 subscript / superscript....................... 150 Supplemetary Angles........................ 138 symbols............................. 149, 150, 151 division........................................... 150 Greek letters .................................. 149 Parentheses & Absolute Value...... 151 square root .................................... 150 subscript / superscript ................... 150 tangents .................................... 119, 129 text...................................................... 95 Edit Text dialog ............................... 95 Toolbox Menus ................................. 167 toolboxes ...................................... 74, 76 arranging ......................................... 74 configuration.................................... 76 floating / anchored........................... 74 translation ................................. 130, 131 variables ........................... 152, 153, 156 list .................................................. 153 locking ........................................... 156 value.............................................. 156 Variables Assignment ..................................... 32 Controlling ....................................... 32 vectors ................................ 93, 118, 142 calculate coefficients ..................... 142 constraints coefficients ................................ 118 drawing............................................ 93 View Menu........................................ 164 website ................................. 60, 61, 175

page 180

You might also like