410 ON PTOLEMYS THEOREM OVED SHISHA Department of Mathematics The University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI 02881-0816 (Received September 11, 1990) The above theorem is: Let a, b, c, d be (distinct, finite) points in the complex plane, lying, in this order, on a circle or a straizht line. Then (In the case of a circle, the theorem states that in a quadrilateral inscribed in a circle, the sum of the products of lengths of opposite sides equals the product of lengths of the diagonals.) We note here that (1) follows very easily from the elementary theory of fractional linear transformations. that Indeed let f be such a transformation, mapping the circle or straight line onto the real axis, so f(a) o, f(b) O, f(c) 1. The f(d) > 1. Hence for the cross ratios below we have: I(a,d,b,c) (oo, f(d),O, 1) [f(d)- l]/f(d), I(a,b,d,c) I(oo, O,f(d),l)l 1If(d), I(a-b)(c-d)(a-c)- l(b-d)- + I(a-d)(b-c)(a-c)- l(b- d)- I(a,d,b,c)[ + I(a,b,d,c) which implies (1). Submit your manuscripts at http://www.hindawi.com Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 Mathematics Journal of Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 Mathematical Problems in Engineering Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Dierential Equations International Journal of Volume 2014 Applied Mathematics Journal of Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 Probability and Statistics Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 Journal of Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 Mathematical Physics Advances in Complex Analysis Journal of Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 Optimization Journal of Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 Combinatorics Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 International Journal of Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 Operations Research Advances in Journal of Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 Function Spaces Abstract and Applied Analysis Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 International Journal of Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 The Scientifc World Journal Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 Algebra Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 Decision Sciences Advances in Discrete Mathematics Journal of Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 Hindawi Publishing Corporation http://www.hindawi.com Volume 2014 Stochastic Analysis International Journal of