Chapter 7

Inversion

Goal: In this chapter we define inversion, give constructions for inverses of

points both inside and outside the circle of inversion, and show how inversion could
be done using Geometers Sketchpad. A cartesian coordinate representation and a
number of fascinating applications of inversion are also presented.
Definition 7.0.1 Let O be the center of a fixed circle of radius r in the Euclidean
plane. Let P be any point in the plane other than O. An inversion in circle
C(O, r), I(O, r), is a function such that if I(O,r) (P ) = P 0 then P 0 OP and
(OP )(OP 0 ) = r2 . Here P 0 is called the inverse of P , O is called the center of
inversion, and r is called the radius of inversion, and r 2 is called its power.
It follows from the above definition that to each point P of the plane, other
than O, there corresponds a unique inverse point P 0 . To make the inversion a
transformation of the plane, we add to the plane a single ideal point defined to
be the inverse of the center of inversion. The point is considered to lie on every
line in the plane.

7.1

Constructing The Inverse of a Point:

Given the circle of inversion C(O,r) and a point P , how do you construct the inverse
of P ?

If P is inside the circle of inversion: (See Figure 7.1)

Draw the ray OP .
Draw a perpendicular to OP at P . This intersects the circle of inversion
in two points, label one of them Q.
Connect the center of the circle O to Q.
Draw a perpendicular to OQ from Q. The intersection of this perpendicular with OP is P 0 , the inverse of P .

52

Q
.......
..... ..... ..........
.....
... ..
.....
... ...
.....
..... ....
.....
...
...
.....
.....
...
....
.....
...
....
...
...
O
P0
P ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
.

Figure 7.1: Inverse of a Point Inside the Circle of Inversion

Note that OP Q OQP 0 . Hence

(OQ)2 = r2 .

OQ
OP

OP 0
.
OQ

Therefore, OP OP 0 =

If P is outside the circle of inversion: (See Figure 7.2)

Let M be the midpoint of the segment OP .
Construct a circle centered at M of radius M O. It intersects the circle of
inversion C(O,r) in two points, Q and R and goes through O and P .
Construct the segment QR. The intersection of QR and OP is the point
P 0 , the inverse of P .

Q.
............
.. . .... ...................
.
..
....
.. ....
.... .............
.......
....
.. . ....
.......
....
.
...P
....
.. . ..... P 0
.....
.
O
M
.....
.
...
.....
.
...
...
R

Figure 7.2: Inverse of a point Outside the Circle of Inversion

Note that OP Q OQP 0 . Hence

(OQ)2 = r2 .

53

OQ
OP

OP 0
.
OQ

Therefore, OP OP 0 =

Using Sketchpad:
Inverting a Line: To invert a straight line in the circle of inversion C(O,r)
follow the following steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Construct the circle of inversion C and the line l.

Construct an arbitrary point P on the line l.
Construct the ray OP .
Construct the intersection of OP and the circle, call it Q.
Construct the segment OP .
Mark O as the center of dilation.
r
Mark the ratio OP
.
r
Dilate Q by the ratio OP
centered at O. The image of Q is P 0 the inverse
image of P .
9. Hide everything except the circle, its center, the point determining its
radius, P 0 and the straight line l and the two point determining it.
10. Select everything and create a tool and call it invcirc.
11. Apply the tool a few times and use arc through three points to determine
the image of the line.
Inverting a Circle: To invert a circle C1 in the circle of inversion C(O,r) ,
replace l by C1 in the steps above.

7.2

Inversion Using Coordinates:

Theorem 7.2.1 An inversion about x2 + y 2 = r2 is given by

(x, y) (x0 , y 0 ) = (

xr2
yr2
,
)
x2 + y 2 x2 + y 2
0

Proof. Since (x, y), (x0 , y 0 ) and (0, 0) are collinear, we have xy 0 = xy . Now

d((0, 0), (x, y))d((0, 0), (x0 , y 0 )) = r2 , hence x2 + y 2 x02 + y 02 = r2 and (x2 +y 2 )
2
r4 y 02 (x2 + y 2 ) r4 x02 xy 2 (x2 + y 2 )
r4
02
02
02
02
02
4
y and x =
=
(x +y ) = r . Hence x = 2
x + y2
x2 + y 2
x2 + y 2
4
2 02
2 02
4
02 2
2
4
r
y x
y x
r
x (x + y )
r
= 2
2 . Hence x02 + 2 = 2
and
= 2
. Hence
2
2
2
x +y
x
x
x +y
x
x + y2
r 4 x2
r2 x
r2 y
0
0
x02 = 2
and
x
=
.
Similarly,
we
can
show
that
y
=
.
(x + y 2 )2
x2 + y 2
x2 + y 2

Exercise 1: What is the image of (x 1)2 + y 2 = 1 under an inversion in

x2 + y 2 = 1?

54

Y
6

-X

Figure 7.3: Inverse of (x 1)2 + y 2 = 1 in x2 + y 2 = 1

y
x
1
x
0
0
Answer. Well, x0 = x2 +y
2 and y = x2 +y 2 . Hence x = x2 +1(x1)2 = 2 and
y
y 0 = 2x
. Hence the image of a circle going through the center of the circle of
inversion is a line going through the points of intersection of the two circles.

Exercise 2: What is the image of x = 12 under an inversion in x2 + y 2 = 1?

Y
6
6
-X

Figure 7.4: Inverse of x =

1
2

in x2 + y 2 = 1

Answer: (x 1)2 + y 2 = 1

Exercise: What is the image of x = 1 under an inversion in x2 + y 2 = 1?

Answer: (x 1/2)2 + y 2 = 1/4.

Exercise 3: What is the image of x2 +2x+y 2 = 0 under an inversion in x2 +y 2 = 1?

Answer: x = 1/2.

55

Theorem 7.2.2 If two circles are orthogonal, (their tangents at the points of intersection are perpendicular), and if a diameter AB of one circle meets the other
circle in the points C and D, then OP 2 = OC OD.
P
C

O0

Figure 7.5: Orthogonal Circles are Inverses

Proof. OP O 0 is a right triangle, hence (OP )2 + (P O 0 )2 = (OO0 )2 . But OO0 =

OC + CO 0 = OC + P O 0 , hence (OP )2 + (P O 0 )2 = (OC + P O 0 )2 . Hence (OP )2 =
(OC)2 + 2 OC P O 0 , which implies that (OP )2 = OC (OC + 2P O 0 ). Hence
(OP )2 = OC OD.
Theorem 7.2.3 A circle orthogonal to the circle of inversion inverts into itself,
and, a circle through a pair of inverse points is orthogonal to the circle of inversion.
1
T

P0

P
O

Figure 7.6: Orthogonal Circles are Inverses

Proof. Given the circle of inversion C(O,r) and an orthogonal circle centered at
A. Let T be one of the points of intersection of the two circles. Now if a line
through O meets this orthogonal circle at P and P 0 then OP OP 0 = OT 2 = R2 .
Hence P and P 0 are inverse points.
Theorem 7.2.4 If P P 0 and Q, Q0 are pairs of inverse points with respect to some
2
circle C(O,r) , Then P 0 Q0 = P Q OPr OQ .
Proof. If O, P , Q are noncollinear then,
hence OP Q OQ0 P 0 . Hence

P 0 Q0
PQ

OQ0
OP

56

OP 0
OQ

OQ0
OP
0 0

and 6 P OQ = 6 Q0 OP 0 ,

. Hence P Q = OQ0 POPQ OQ

=
OQ

r2 P Q
.
OP OQ


0

Q.
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
...
...
..
.
P0

Q.
...
...
O
P

Figure 7.7:

7.3

P 0 Q0
PQ

r2
OP OQ

Applications of Inversion:

Given three non-coaxial concurrent circles, construct a circle C tangent to all

three circles.

Figure 7.8: A Circle Tangent To Three Non-Coaxial Circles

Solution: Invert the circles about a unit circle centered at the point of concurrency of the circles creating a triangle. Now construct the inscribed circle and
invert this circle in the circle of inversion to create the required circle.
Ptolemys Theorem: In a cyclic convex quadrilateral, the product of the diagonals is equal to the sum of the products of the two pairs of opposite sides.
Proof: Invert the circle and the convex quadrilateral about a circle centered
at one of the vertices of the quadrilateral, say A. Now B 0 D0 = B 0 C 0 + C 0 D0 .
Hence,
r2
r2
r2
BC
+ CD
= BD
AB AC
AC AD
AB AD
57

60
B
B

C0

D0
?

Figure 7.9: Ptolemys Theorem

Hence, BC AD + CD AB = BD AC.

Homework 7.3.1

1. Find the image of the objects below under the specified

inversion. (See Figures 7.10 and 7.11 )

2. Prove that the inverse of the circumcircle Cc of a triangle ABC with respect
to the incircle Ci , as a circle of inversion, is the nine point circle of the triangle
XY Z determined by the points of contact of Ci with the sides of ABC.

58

Figure 7.10: Inversion - HW

59


?

Figure 7.11: Inversion - HW

60