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Subject: "Three Right Triangle Construction Problems"     Previous Topic | Next Topic
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Bui Quang Tuan
Member since Jun-23-07
Aug-19-10, 06:41 AM (EST)
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"Three Right Triangle Construction Problems"
 
   Dear All My Friends,
To construct triangle ABC right at C such that altitude length from C is maximal, in three cases:
1. Given a + b
2. Given b + c
3. Given a + b + c
(as normally a = BC, b = CA, c = AB)

Best regards,
Bui Quang Tuan


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mpdlc
guest
Aug-20-10, 07:59 AM (EST)
 
1. "RE: Three Right Triangle Construction Problems"
In response to message #0
 
   If I am not wrong it is an easy task

The first case will give us the clue for the whole solution.

Since the sum of sides a+b must be equal to a given quantity, that means that vertex C is on an ellipse with foci A an B, on the other hand, since C is the vertex of the right angle, the hypotenuse c of our triangle must be on a semi-circumference of diameter AB what yield that point C is the point of tangent between both, so sides a,b and the altitude lengths are equal, obviously side c must be equal to the sum of sides a+b

Established the above, for the second and third cases this ratio among sides and hypotenuse it must be preserved.

Algebraically It can be also proved, but I believe it is less intuitive


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Bui Quang Tuan
Member since Jun-23-07
Aug-20-10, 05:03 PM (EST)
Click to EMail Bui%20Quang%20Tuan Click to send private message to Bui%20Quang%20Tuan Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list  
2. "RE: Three Right Triangle Construction Problems"
In response to message #1
 
   I don't understand two matters:

>what yield that point C is the point of tangent between both
Why that? C can be also cutting point.

>obviously side c must be equal to the sum of sides a+b
It is can be happend when ABC is right triangle at C?

Best regards,
Bui Quang Tuan


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mpdlc
guest
Aug-21-10, 05:41 AM (EST)
 
4. "RE: Three Right Triangle Construction Problems"
In response to message #2
 
   Many thank you for your comments I must apologize for the errors and for being too quickie, below is a more detailed exposition of my reasoning.

We can take on the plane two arbitrary points A and B provided that its distance between them being less than the sum a+b, so vertex C is on the ellipse focii A and B. By stretching or shortening the segment AB but keeping the condition to be less than a+b we get a family of ellipses.

Simultaneously since C is the vertex of the straight angle of our sought triangle must belong to a circumference diameter c, unknown. So by making c equal to the distance AB we have four possible locations in the ellipse for point C the intersections of both curves. Now we can narrow the distance between focii till the two upper and the two lower points coincide, in other words the circumference being tangent to the ellipse. Then the diameter of the circumference equals to the minor axis of the ellipse and to the focal distance, which means sides a ad b are equal, the altitude h = c/2 = a/sqrt(2), what I stated that wrong before.

Another even quicker approach is considering a rectangle formed with two triangles perimeter equal 2(a+b) and diagonals c, the biggest area for this rectangle which also render the biggest altitude is when diagonals are perpendicular which means our rectangle is a square.


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mpdlc
guest
Aug-20-10, 05:03 PM (EST)
 
3. "RE: Three Right Triangle Construction Problems"
In response to message #1
 
   I must correct myself the length of hypotenuse c is twice the altitude which is the square root of one the side a or b


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