Cross-ratio conventions differ by permutations. Use the following ordering, which gives the signs requested in part (c):
Values involving infinity are defined by limits. This is the cross-ratio with second point mapped to zero: the Möbius transformation
sends to and sends to .
For , , the identity
shows that all factors cancel in the cross-ratio. This proves Möbius invariance of the cross-ratio, with the cases involving infinity following by limits. Algebraic subtraction also gives
The latter expression is another common ordering for the cross-ratio; keeping the convention explicit prevents an incorrect reciprocal or sign.
Ptolemy's theorem 2026-10-06
For four vertices in cyclic order on a circle, the product of the diagonal lengths is the sum of the products of opposite side lengths. One proof uses the cross-ratio with second point mapped to zero: its negative sign gives , which becomes the displayed length relation.