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For a set of measured points, we describe a linear-programming model that enables us to find concentric circumscribed and inscribed circles whose annulus encompasses all the points and whose width tends to be minimum in a Chebychev minmax sense. We illustrate the process using the data of Rorres and Romano (SIAM Rev. 39: 745–754, 1997) that is taken from an ancient Greek stadium in Corinth. The stadium’s racecourse had an unusual circular arc starting line, and measurements along this arc form the basic data sets of Rorres and Romano (SIAM Rev. 39: 745–754, 1997). Here we are interested in finding the center and radius of the circle that defined the starting line arc. We contrast our results with those found in Rorres and Romano (SIAM Rev. 39: 745–754, 1997). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on early Greek trigonometry. Evidence for Greek use of the scale of radius; Models used by astronomer Hipparchus to analyze a trio of eclipses; Summary of the geometrical solution of the lunar eclipse trio problem.