Discussion Topic 4 Resp
In 1603, German astronomer Christoph Scheiner began to copy and scale diagrams
using an instrument that came to be known as the pantograph. By moving a pencil
attached to a linkage, Scheiner was able to produce a second image that was enlarged.
Do some brief research on Scheiner's invention. Describe how the pantograph works
and how it is able to produce an enlarged image.
How does the operation of the pantograph relate to dilations and similarity? How can
you use similar triangles to describe why the pantograph works as it does? Write an
abbreviated paragraph proof using similar triangles to explain the design. In many
instances, the pantograph has been replaced by other means for enlarging images.
What has the pantograph been replaced by? Explain.