Define the cross-ratio [a0,a1,a2,z] of four points a0,a1,a2,z in C∪{∞}, with a0,a1,a2 distinct.
Let a0,a1,a2 be three distinct points. Show that, for every value w∈C∪{∞}, there is a unique point z∈C∪{∞} with [a0,a1,a2,z]=w. Let S be the set of points z for which the cross-ratio [a0,a1,a2,z] is in R∪{∞}. Show that S is either a circle or else a straight line together with ∞.
A map J:C∪{∞}→C∪{∞} satisfies
[a0,a1,a2,J(z)]=[a0,a1,a2,z]
for each value of z. Show that this gives a well-defined map J with J2 equal to the identity.
When the three points a0,a1,a2 all lie on the real line, show that J must be the conjugation map J:z↦zˉ. Deduce from this that, for any three distinct points a0,a1,a2, the map J depends only on the circle (or straight line) through a0,a1,a2 and not on their particular values.