A Triangle of Antreas Hatzipolakis

 

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 ΔABC, D, E, F are the midpoints of sides BC, AC, and AB, while X, Y, Z are the points of tangency of the incircle with those sides. Let M be the foot of the perpendicular from A to BI and N the foot of the perpendicular from A to CI. Then

  1. Points M, N, E, F are collinear,
  2. Points X, Y, M are collinear, as are the points X, Z, N.

Proof

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

Copyright © 1996-2012 Alexander Bogomolny

 

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?

By the construction, ΔABM is right with ∠AMB = 90°, implying

  AF = BF = FM.

It follows that ΔBFM is isosceles and ∠FBM = ∠FMB. Thus the sum of these angles equals ∠AFM. On the other hand, since BI bisects ∠ABC, the sum of equal angles FBM and CBM equals ∠ABC. We see that

  ∠AFM = ∠ABC

so that FM||BC and, since F is the midpoint of AB, FM is a midline in ΔABC and passes through another midpoint, viz., E. This shows that M lies on EF. By symmetry the same holds for N.

Further

 EM= FM - EF
  = AF - EF
  = AB/2 - BC/2
  = (AB - BC)/2
  = (AZ - CX)/2
  = (AY - CY)/2
  = (AC - 2·CY)/2
  = (2·EC - 2·CY)/2
  = EC - CY
  = EY,

implying that ΔMEY is isosceles: EM = EY. In addition, ∠XCE = ∠CEM wherefrom ∠XYC = ∠EYM making therm vertical and XYM a straight line. XZN is treated similarly.

Michel Cabart came up with a different proof:

Consider point D of intersection of lines AM and BC. Then

  1. M is middle of AD thus belongs to EF
  2. by symmetry XD = ZA = YA thus XC&midpoint;YA&midpoint;MD = XD&midpoint;YC&midpoint;MA and M belongs to line XY by Menelaus' theorem applied to triangle ACD.

(Triangle AMN along with two other triangles similarly constructed at vertices B and C have several engaging properties first observed by Antreas Hatzipolakis which explains the attribution in the title.)

References

  1. Jan Vonk, On the Nagel Line and a Prolific Polar Triangle, Forum Geometricorum Volume 8 (2008) 183–196

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

Copyright © 1996-2012 Alexander Bogomolny

 40619961

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