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Copyright © 1996-2008 Alexander Bogomolny
Thébault's Problem IIThe applet suggests the following theorem (Victor Thébault, 1937):
Proof 1Consider, for example, the case where E and F are located outside the square ABCD. First of all, triangles CDE and and CBF are equal. Indeed, Next, Proof 2Let's make a use of complex variables. Assume the origin is at C and let u and v be two complex numbers corresponding to B and D, respectively. In fact, u = ir, v = r, for some positive real number r. Let a be the counterclockwise rotation through 60o. E corresponds to the complex number u + av, F corresponds to v + u/a = (av + u)/a. The ratio of the two numbers is a, which exactly means that the length of CE and CF are equal (this is because The area of the equilateral triangle of side x equals We just found that the side of the equilateral triangle CEF that was constructed outwardly equals Since |a| = |1/a| = 1, we obtain
which means that the total area of two triangles CEF (one constructed outwardly, the other inwardly) equals twice the combined area of triangles ABF and ADE. Proof 3
Let K be the point of intersection of the diagonals AC and BD, L and M the midpoints of AE and AF. Consider ΔKLM. Its vertex K is midway between vertices D and B of triangles AED and AFB, vertex L is midway between E and A (in ΔAFB), and vertex M is midway between A (in ΔAED) and F. According to a Three Similar Triangles theorem, ΔKLM is similar to both ΔAED and ΔAFB and, hence, is equilateral. However, triangles KLM and CEF having pairwise parallel sides are similar. Therefore ΔCEF is equilateral. Proof 4Proof 3 works for an unexpected generalization of Thébault's problem, which also has independent proofs. Thébault's problem is then obtained as a specific case.
Copyright © 1996-2008 Alexander Bogomolny
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