Hart Circle

The side lines of a triangle in Feuerbach's theorem can be inverted into three concurrent circles. The circles define an arcual (curvilinear) triangles. Since inversion preserves angles, the tangency is also inherited by the curvilinear case. The incircle in Feuerbach's theorem remains tangent to the three circles. The same holds for the excircles and then also for the 9-point circle. Therefore the following is a generalization of Feuerbach's theorem.

Let there be three mutually intersecting circles that form eight curvilinear triangles (one of which is infinite.) If the circles are c1, c2 and c3, we may consider the points of intersection Ak, A'k of circles ci and cj, where i, j, k are distinct indices that satisfy

  i + j + k = 6,

so that, for example, circles c1 and c3 intersect in points A2 and A'2. The triangles A'1A2A3, A1A'2A3, A1A2A'3 are said to be associated with triangle A1A2A3. The associated triangles all share one circular arc with the base triangle. However, each of the 8 triangles formed by the three circles could be picked as the base triangle.

For any selection of the base triangle there is a circle tangent to the circles inscribed into the base and its associated triangles. The circle is called the Hart circle. The statement itself is known as Hart's theorem. Clearly the Hart circle plays the role of the 9-point circle in the curvilinear case.


This applet requires Sun's Java VM 2 which your browser may perceive as a popup. Which it is not. If you want to see the applet work, visit Sun's website at http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp, download and install Java VM and enjoy the applet.


Buy this applet
What if applet does not run?

In the applet, the three given circles are drawn gray, the incircle of the base triangle green. (Each of these circle is draggable as are its center and a point on the boundary.) The selection of the base triangle is controlled by the drop down box at the bottom of the applet. You can display the incircles of the associated triangles (red), the Hart circle (blue) and the points of tangency where the circles touch each other.

References

  1. J. L. Coolidge, A Treatise On the Circle and the Sphere, AMS - Chelsea Publishing, 1971

Nine Point Circle

|Activities| |Contact| |Front page| |Contents| |Store| |Geometry|

Copyright © 1996-2012 Alexander Bogomolny

 40619398

A math books store at a unique math study site. Shopping at the store helps maintain the site. Thank you.
Sites for teachers
Sites for parents
Terms of use
Awards
Interactive Activities

CTK Exchange
CTK Wiki Math
CTK Insights - a blog
Math Help
Games & Puzzles
What Is What
Arithmetic
Algebra
Geometry
Probability
Outline Mathematics
Make an Identity
Book Reviews
Stories for Young
Eye Opener
Analog Gadgets
Inventor's Paradox
Did you know?...
Proofs
Math as Language
Things Impossible
Visual Illusions
My Logo
Math Poll
Cut The Knot!
MSET99 Talk
Old and nice bookstore
Other Math sites
Front Page
Movie shortcuts
Personal info
Privacy Policy

Guest book
News sites

Recommend this site

Sites for parents

Education & Parenting

Search:
Keywords:

Google
Web CTK
Supported by
3wVentures