Some Definitions
A hexagon has the Pascal Property
if the intersections of opposite sides are collinear.
A hexagon has the Brianchon Property
if the diagonals (i.e. lines joining opposite vertices) are concurrent.
The Converse of Pascal's Theorem states that the vertices of
a hexagon with Pascal's Property lie on a conic.
Brianchon's Theorem states that a hexagon
circumscribed round a conic has Brianchon's Property.
The Dual Conic Theorem
Suppose that C and D are conics.
Then the dual of D with respect to C is a conic.
Proof
Let A,B,C,D and E be distinct points on D, fixed once for all.
Let F be any other point on D, and
By Brianchon's Theorem, the hexagon H has the Brianchon Property,
Thus, by the Converse of Pascal's Theorem,
The vertices of H' correspond to A .. F (being the duals of the tangents to D at these points).
As F varies on D, the locus of the dual of the tangent at F will be the conic E.
Throughout the proof duality means duality with respect to C.
Then D is the unique conic determined by A .. E.
let H be the hexagon composed of the tangents to D at these six points.
and so the dual hexagon H' has the Pascal Property.
the vertices of H' lie on a conic E.
Since A .. E are fixed, so is the conic throught the vertices of H'.
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