Monge's Theorem: A Geometric Perspective on External Circle Tangents
The Logic of Alignment: At the centres of Similitude and Monge’s work Monge’s Theorem, named after the French mathematician Gaspard Monge, applies to any set of 3 circles in a plane that do not completely contain each other. The theorem focuses on the external tangents that are to the exterior of the circles, which do not cross the line connecting their centres. For the case where the radii of the 2 circles are not equal, these 2 external tangents will meet at one point known as the external centre of similitude, or external centre of homothety. In the arrangement of 3 circles, we have 3 different sets of 2 circles, and so 3 of these intersection points. Also, very much to the surprise of many, the theorem states that these 3 external centres of similitude will be in a straight line. Using an interactive physical math kit that allows for variable adjustment is a great way to prove this fact in any modern math lab. These kits provide the students with the chance to see the abstrac...