Proportions of circle portions in nested and intersecting circles
Rosette figures dividing doubled, tripled and quadrupled circles
A geometry page demonstrating how the portions ('porzioni') of nested circles relate by number and by area. Leonardo shows that when two concentric circles stand in double, triple or quadruple proportion, the six greatest portions of the outer circle form an aliquot part of the more numerous portions of the inner, 6 against 12, 18 or 24. Rosette figures of intersecting arcs illustrate each case, one demonstration pointedly marked 'False'. A final pair of notes proves that two circles are equal when the circumference of each passes through the other's centre; small cube, hexagon and intersecting-circle diagrams accompany the text.
On this page
Six greatest portions as an aliquot part of twelve
The 12 portions of the enclosed half-sized circle are worth the 6 portions of the enclosing circle, because the two circles are one double the other and the number of portions grows as their figures shrink. Leonardo requires that the number of the 6 greatest portions always be an aliquot part of the portions to be divided: 6 enters twice into 12, three times into 18, four times into 24, and so on infinitely.
Portions in triple and quadruple proportion
The second figure sets the six greatest portions as an aliquot, or multiplicative, part of 18 portions, because the two circles stand in triple proportion; the third does the same with 24 portions in quadruple proportion. In each case removing the six great portions from the outer circle accomplishes as much as removing the many small portions from the inner.
A demonstration marked 'False'
Four equal portions built on the portions of two circles and on their semidiameters lead to the paradox that one and the same portion sits at once on the semidiameter of one circle and the circumference of another. Leonardo labels this figure 'False'.
Portions on the sixth part of the circumference
In two equal intersecting circles, four equal portions are each built on the sixth part of the circumference and on a semidiameter; from this they are equal to one another, each lying on the semidiameter of one circle and the circumference of the other.
Equal circles whose circumferences cross the centres
Two circles are equal when each circumference passes over the other's centre, since the semidiameter joining the two centres is common to both and equals every other semidiameter. A related note treats two circles intersecting so that each circumference reciprocally passes over the other's centre.
