An Area Inequality for Ellipses Inscribed in Quadrilaterals

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

An Area Inequality for Ellipses Inscribed in Quadrilaterals 1 Introduction It is well known(see [CH], [K], or [MP]) that there is a unique ellipse in- scribed in a given triangle, T , tangent to the sides of T at their respective midpoints. This is often called the midpoint or Steiner inellipse, and it can be characterized as the inscribed ellipse having maximum area. In addition, one has the following inequality. If E denotes any ellipse inscribed in T , then Area (E) π , (trineq) Area (T ) ≤ 3√3 with equality if and only if E is the midpoint ellipse. In [MP] the authors also discuss a connection between the Steiner ellipse and the orthogonal least squares line for the vertices of T . Definition: The line, £, is called a line of best fit for n given points z1, ..., zn n 2 in C, if £ minimizes d (zj ,l) among all lines l in the plane. Here d (zj,l) j=1 denotes the distance(Euclidean)P from zj to l. In [MP] the authors prove the following results, some of which are also proven in 1 n Theorem A: Suppose zj are points in C,g = zj is the centroid, and n j=1 n n 2 2 2 P Z = (zj g) = zj ng . j=1 − j=1 − (a)P If Z = 0, thenP every line through g is a line of best fit for the points z1, ..., zn. (b) If Z = 0, then the line, £, thru g that is parallel to the vector from 6 (0, 0) to √Z is the unique line of best fit for z1, ..., zn. Theorem B: If z1,z2, and z3 are the vertices of a nonequilateral triangle, 3 2 T , and £ minimizes d (zk,l) among all lines l in the plane, then the major k=1 axis of the Steiner ellipseP lies on £. A proof of Theorem B goes all the way back to Coolidge in 1913(see [MP]). The purpose of this paper is to attempt to generalize (trineq) and Theorem B to ellipses inscribed in convex quadrilaterals. Many of the results in this arXiv:0907.1647v1 [math.CA] 9 Jul 2009 paper use results from two earlier papers of the author about ellipses inscribed in quadrilaterals. In particular, in [H1] we proved the following results. Theorem C: Let D be a convex quadrilateral in the xy plane and let M1 and M2 be the midpoints of the diagonals of D. Let Z be the open line segment connecting M1 and M2. If(h, k) Z then there is a unique ellipse with center (h, k) inscribed in D. ∈ Theorem D: Let D be a convex quadrilateral in the xy plane. Then there is a unique ellipse of maximal area inscribed in D. The following general result about ellipses is essentially what appears in [W], except that the cases with A = B were added by the author. 1 Lemma E: Let E be an ellipse with equation Ax2 + By2 +2Cxy + Dx + Ey + F = 0, and let φ denote the counterclockwise angle of rotation from the line thru the center parallel to the x axis to the major axis of E. Then 0 if C = 0 and A<B π if C = 0 and A>B 2 1 −1 A B cot − if C = 0 and A<B 2 2C 6 φ = π 1 −1 A B + cot − if C = 0 and A>B 2 2 2C 6 π if C < 0 and A = B 4 3π if C > 0 and A = B 4 In [H2], we also derived the following results about ellipses inscribed in parallelograms. Lemma F: Let Z be the rectangle with vertices (0, 0), (l, 0), (0, k),and (l, k), where l,k > 0. (A) The general equation of an ellipse, E, inscribed in Z is given by k2x2 + l2y2 2l (k 2v) xy 2lkvx 2l2vy + l2v2 =0, 0 < v < k. − − − − (B) The corresponding points of tangency of Ψ are lv l , 0 , (0, v), (k v) , k , and (l, k v). k k − − (C) If a and b denote the lengths of the semi–major and semi–minor axes, respectively, of E, then 2 2 2l (k v) v a = − and k2 + l2 (k2 + l2)2 16l2 (k v) v − 2 − − 2 2l (k v) v b = p − . k2 + l2 + (k2 + l2)2 16l2 (k v) v − − Proposition G: Let P be thep parallelogram with vertices O = (0, 0), P = (l, 0),Q = (d, k), and R = (d + l, k), where l,k > 0, d 0. The general equation of an ellipse, E, inscribed in P is given by ≥ 3 2 2 2 k x + k(d + l) 4dlv y 2k (k(d + l) 2lv) xy 2 − − 2 2 − 2k lvx +2klv (d l) y + kl v =0, 0 < v < k. − − Of course, any two triangles are affine equivalent, while the same is not true of quadrilaterals–thus it is not surprising that not all of the results about ellipse inscribed in triangles extend nicely to quadrilaterals. For example, there is not necessarily an ellipse inscribed in a given quadrilateral, D, which is tangent to 2 the sides of D at their respective midpoints. There is such an ellipse, which we call the midpoint ellipse, when D is a parallelogram(see Proposition 2.2). We are able to prove an inequality(see Theorem 2.1), similar to (trineq), which holds for all convex quadrilaterals. If E is any ellipse inscribed in a quadrilateral, D, Area (E) π then , and equality holds if and only if D is a parallelogram and Area(D) ≤ 4 E is the midpoint ellipse. Not suprisingly, Theorem B also does not extend in general to ellipses in- scribed in convex quadrilaterals. However, such a characterization does hold again when D is a parallelogram. We prove in Theorem 3.1 that the foci of the unique ellipse of maximal area inscribed in a parallelogram, D, lie on the orthogonal least squares line for the vertices of D. It is also well known that if p(z) is a cubic polynomial with roots at the vertices of a triangle, then the roots of p′(z) are the foci of the Steiner inellipse. A proof of this fact goes all the way back to Siebeck in 1864(see [MP]) and is known in the literature as Marden’s Theorem. Now it is easy to show that the orthogonal least squares line, £, from Theorem A is identical to the line through the roots of p′(z). Thus Marden’s Theorem implies Theorem B and hence is a stronger statement than Theorem B. There is an obvious way to try to generalize such a result to convex quadrilaterals, D. If p(z) is a quartic polynomial with roots at the vertices of D, must the foci of the unique ellipse of maximal area inscribed in D equal the roots of p′′(z) ? We give an example in section 3 that shows that such a stronger statement does not hold for parallelograms, or even for rectangles. 2 An Area Inequality Theorem 2.1: Let E be any ellipse inscribed in a convex quadrilateral, D. Area (E) π Then , and equality holds if and only if D is a parallelogram and Area(D) ≤ 4 E is tangent to the sides of D at the midpoints. Before proving Theorem 2.1, we need the following lemma. Lemma 2.2: Suppose that s and t are positive real numbers with s + t> 1 and s =1 = t. Let 6 16 1 h = st + t 2s 1+ (t 1)2 + s2(t2 t + 1) s(t2 3t + 2) . a 6 t 1 − − − − − − − 1 1 Then h I = the open interval withp endpoints and s. a ∈ 2 2 Proof of Lemma 1: 1 st 2 (s + t 1)+ (t 1)2 + s2(t2 t + 1) s(t2 3t + 2) ha = − − − − − − , and − 2 p 6 (t 1) − (1) 1 1 h s = (t 1)2 + s2(t2 t + 1) s(t2 3t + 2) (2st (s + t 1)) . a−2 6 (t 1) − − − − − − − − p (2) 3 There are four cases to consider: s,t > 1, s< 1 <t, t< 1 <s, and s,t < 1. We prove the first two cases, the proof of the other two being similar. 1 1 Case 1: s,t > 1, which implies that I = , s 2 2 1 By (1), h > 0 a − 2 ⇐⇒ (t 1)2 + s2(t2 t + 1) s(t2 3t + 2) > 2 (s + t 1) st, which always holds since− − − − − − p 2 2 2 2 2 (t 1) +s (t t+1) s(t 3t+2) (2 (s + t 1) st) = 3 (t 1) (s 1) (s + t 1) > 0 − − − − − − − − − − 1 By (2), h s< 0 a − 2 ⇐⇒ (t 1)2 + s2(t2 t + 1) s(t2 3t + 2) < 2st (s + t 1), which always holds since− − − − − − p 2 2 2 2 2 (2st (s + t 1)) (t 1) + s (t t + 1) s(t 3t + 2) =3st (t 1) (s 1) > 0 − − − − − − − − − 1 1 Case 2: s< 1 <t, which implies that I = s, 2 2 1 By (1), h < 0 a − 2 ⇐⇒ (t 1)2 + s2(t2 t + 1) s(t2 3t + 2) < 2 (s + t 1) st, which always holds since− − − − − − p 2 2 2 2 2 (2 (s + t 1) st) (t 1) + s (t t + 1) s(t 3t + 2) = 3 (t 1)(1 s) (s + t 1) > 0 − − − − − − − − − − 1 By (2), h s> 0 a − 2 ⇐⇒ (t 1)2 + s2(t2 t + 1) s(t2 3t + 2) > 2st (s + t 1), which always holds since− − − − − − p 2 2 2 2 2 (t 1) + s (t t + 1) s(t 3t + 2) (2st (s + t 1)) =3st (t 1)(1 s) > 0 − − − − − − − − − Proof of Theorem 2.1: We shall prove Theorem 2.1 when D is not a trapezoid, though it certainly holds in that case as well.
Recommended publications
  • Self-Inverse Gemini Triangles
    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOMETRY Vol. 9 (2020), No. 1, 25 - 39 SELF-INVERSE GEMINI TRIANGLES CLARK KIMBERLING and PETER MOSES Abstract. In the plane of a triangle ABC, every triangle center U = u : v : w (barycentric coordinates) is associated with a central triangle having A-vertex AU = −u : v + w : v + w. The triangle AU BU CU is a self-inverse Gemini triangle. Let mU (X) be the image of a point X under the collineation that maps A; B; C; G respectively onto AU ;BU ;CU ;G, where G is the centroid of ABC. Then mU (mU (X)) = X: Properties of the self-inverse mapping mU are presented, with attention to associated conics (e.g., Jerabek, Kiepert, Feuerbach, Nagel, Steiner), as well as cubics of the types pK(Y; Y ) and pK(U ∗ Y; Y ). 1. Introduction The term Gemini triangle, introduced in the Encyclopedia of Triangle Centers (ETC [7], just before X(24537)), applies to certain triangles defined by barycentric coordinates. In keeping with the meaning of gemini, these triangles tend to occur in pairs. Specifically, for a given reference triangle ABC with sidelengths a; b; c, a Germini triangle A0B0C0 is a cen- tral triangle ([6], pp. 53-56) with A-vertex given by (1.1) A0 = f(a; b; c): g(b; c; a): g(b; a; c); where f and g are center functions ([6], p. 46). Because A0B0C0 is a central triangle, the vertices B0 and C0 can be read from (1.1) as B0 = g(c; b; a): f(b; c; a): g(c; a; b) C0 = g(a; b; c): g(a; c; b): f(c; a; b): Now suppose that U = u : v : w is a triangle center, and let 0 −u v + w v + w 1 MU = @ w + u −v w + u A : u + v u + v −w Keywords and phrases Triangle, Gemini triangle, barycentric coordinates, collineation, conic, cubic, circumcircle, Jerabek, Kiepert, Feuerbach, Nagel, Steiner (2010)Mathematics Subject Classification: 51N15, 51N20 Received: 13.10.2019.
    [Show full text]
  • A Geometric Proof of the Siebeck–Marden Theorem Beniamin Bogosel
    A Geometric Proof of the Siebeck–Marden Theorem Beniamin Bogosel Abstract. The Siebeck–Marden theorem relates the roots of a third degree polynomial and the roots of its derivative in a geometrical way. A few geometric arguments imply that every inellipse for a triangle is uniquely related to a certain logarithmic potential via its focal points. This fact provides a new direct proof of a general form of the result of Siebeck and Marden. Given three noncollinear points a, b, c ∈ C, we can consider the cubic polynomial P(z) = (z − a)(z − b)(z − c), whose derivative P (z) has two roots f1, f2. The Gauss–Lucas theorem is a well-known result which states that given a polynomial Q with roots z1,...,zn, the roots of its derivative Q are in the convex hull of z1,...,zn. In the simple case where we have only three roots, there is a more precise result. The roots f1, f2 of the derivative polynomial are situated in the interior of the triangle abc and they have an interesting geometric property: f1 and f2 are the focal points of the unique ellipse that is tangent to the sides of the triangle abc at its midpoints. This ellipse is called the Steiner inellipse associated to the triangle abc. In the rest of this note, we use the term inellipse to denote an ellipse situated in a triangle that is tangent to all three of its sides. This geometric connection between the roots of P and the roots of P was first observed by Siebeck (1864) [12] and was reproved by Marden (1945) [8].
    [Show full text]
  • Permutation Ellipses
    Journal for Geometry and Graphics Volume 24 (2020), No. 2, 233–247 Permutation Ellipses Clark Kimberling1, Peter J. C. Moses2 1Department of Mathematics, University of Evansville, Evansville, Indiana 47722, USA [email protected] 2Engineering Division, Moparmatic Co., Astwood Bank, Nr. Redditch, Worcestershire, B96 6DT, UK [email protected] Abstract. We use homogeneous coordinates in the plane of a triangle to define a family of ellipses having the centroid of the triangle as center. The family, which includes the Steiner circumscribed and inscribed ellipses, is closed under many operations, including permutation of coordinates, complements and anticomple- ments, duality, and inversion. Key Words: barycentric coordinates, Steiner circumellipse, Steiner inellipse, com- plement and anticomplement, dual conic, inversion in ellipse, Frégier ellipse MSC 2020: 51N20, 51N15 1 Introduction In 1827, something revolutionary happened in triangle geometry. A descendant of Martin Luther named Möbius introduced barycentric coordinates. Suddenly, points and lines in the plane of a triangle ABC with sidelengths a, b, c had a new kind of representation, and traditional geometric relationships found new algebraic kinds of expression. The lengths a, b, c came to be regarded as variables or indeterminates, and a criterion for collinearity of three points became the zeroness of a determinant, as did the concurrence of three lines. More recently, algebraic concepts have been imposed on the objects of triangle geometry. You can make up a suitable function f(a, b, c) and say “Let P be the point with barycentric coordinates f(a, b, c): f(b, c, a): f(c, a, b)” and then use algebra to find geometrically notable properties of P .
    [Show full text]
  • Steiner's Hat: a Constant-Area Deltoid Associated with the Ellipse
    KoG•24–2020 R. Garcia, D. Reznik, H. Stachel, M. Helman: Steiner’s Hat: a Constant-Area Deltoid ... https://doi.org/10.31896/k.24.2 RONALDO GARCIA, DAN REZNIK Original scientific paper HELLMUTH STACHEL, MARK HELMAN Accepted 5. 10. 2020. Steiner's Hat: a Constant-Area Deltoid Associated with the Ellipse Steiner's Hat: a Constant-Area Deltoid Associ- Steinerova krivulja: deltoide konstantne povrˇsine ated with the Ellipse pridruˇzene elipsi ABSTRACT SAZETAKˇ The Negative Pedal Curve (NPC) of the Ellipse with re- Negativno noˇziˇsnakrivulja elipse s obzirom na neku nje- spect to a boundary point M is a 3-cusp closed-curve which zinu toˇcku M je zatvorena krivulja s tri ˇsiljka koja je afina is the affine image of the Steiner Deltoid. Over all M the slika Steinerove deltoide. Za sve toˇcke M na elipsi krivulje family has invariant area and displays an array of interesting dobivene familije imaju istu povrˇsinui niz zanimljivih svoj- properties. stava. Key words: curve, envelope, ellipse, pedal, evolute, deltoid, Poncelet, osculating, orthologic Kljuˇcnerijeˇci: krivulja, envelopa, elipsa, noˇziˇsnakrivulja, evoluta, deltoida, Poncelet, oskulacija, ortologija MSC2010: 51M04 51N20 65D18 1 Introduction Main Results: 0 0 Given an ellipse E with non-zero semi-axes a;b centered • The triangle T defined by the 3 cusps Pi has invariant at O, let M be a point in the plane. The Negative Pedal area over M, Figure 7. Curve (NPC) of E with respect to M is the envelope of • The triangle T defined by the pre-images Pi of the 3 lines passing through points P(t) on the boundary of E cusps has invariant area over M, Figure 7.
    [Show full text]
  • An Elementary Proof of Marden's Theorem
    An Elementary Proof of Marden’s Theorem Dan Kalman What I call Marden’s Theorem is one of my favorite results in mathematics. It es- tablishes a fantastic relation between the geometry of plane figures and the relative positions of roots of a polynomial and its derivative. Although it has a much more general statement, here is the version that I like best: Marden’s Theorem. Let p(z) be a third-degree polynomial with complex coefficients, and whose roots z1,z2, and z3 are noncollinear points in the complex plane. Let T be the triangle with vertices at z1,z2, and z3. There is a unique ellipse inscribed in T and tangent to the sides at their midpoints. The foci of this ellipse are the roots of p(z). I call this Marden’s Theorem because I first read it in M. Marden’s wonderful book [6]. But this material appeared previously in Marden’s earlier paper [5]. In both sources Marden attributes the theorem to Siebeck, citing a paper from 1864 [8]. In- deed, Marden reports appearances of various versions of the theorem in nine papers spanning the period from 1864 to 1928. Of particular interest in what follows below is an 1892 paper by Maxime Bocherˆ [1]. In his presentation Marden states the theorem in a more general form than given m1 above, corresponding to the logarithmic derivative of a product (z − z1) (z − m2 m3 z2) (z − z3) where the only restriction on the exponents m j is that they be nonzero, and with a general conic section taking the place of the ellipse.
    [Show full text]
  • Mixed Intersection of Cevians and Perspective Triangles
    15TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GEOMETRY AND GRAPHICS ©2012 ISGG 1–5 AUGUST, 2012, MONTREAL, CANADA MIXED INTERSECTION OF CEVIANS AND PERSPECTIVE TRIANGLES Boris ODEHNAL Dresden University of Technology, Germany ABSTRACT: Any point P in the plane of a triangle ∆ = (A,B,C) can be considered as the intersection of certain Cevians, whether P is a triangle center or not. Taking two centers, say Y and Z, we find six Cevians with a total of 11 points of intersection, among them ∆’s vertices and Y and Z. The remaining six points form two triangles ∆1 and ∆2 which are both perspective to the base triangle ∆ and to each other. The three centers of perspectivity are triangle centers of ∆ and collinear, independent of the choice of Y and Z. Furthermore any pair out of ∆, ∆1, and ∆2 has the same perspectrix which yields a closed chain of Desargues’ (103,103) configurations. Then special affine appearances of Desargues’ configurations can be obtained by a suitable choice of Y and Z. Any choice of a fixed center Y leads to exactly one center Z as the fourth point of intersection of two conic sections circumscribed to ∆ such that the perspectors P1, P2, and consequently P12 are points at infinity. For fixed center Y we obtain a quadratic transformation in ∆’s plane which transforms central lines to central conic sections. Keywords: triangle, Cevian, perspective triangles, Desargues configuration, triangle center, cross- point 1. INTRODUCTION C Many triangle centers appear as the intersection of certain Cevians. For example the incenter X1 X4 is the intersection of the interior angle bisectors h of a triangle ∆ with vertices A, B, C.
    [Show full text]
  • 104.08 Finding Triangles with Given Circum-Medial Triangle
    The Mathematical Gazette March 2020 104.08 Finding triangles with given circum-medial triangle Let △A1B1C1 be an arbitrary triangle and P an arbitrary point not on its circumcircle Σ. The ‘other’ intersection points of the ‘cevians’ A1PB,,1P C1P with Σ, the points AB,,,C make the so-called circumcevian triangle of △A1B1C1 with respect to PP. If is the centroid of △A1B1C1 then △ABC is called * the circum-medial triangle of △A1B1C1 (see Figure 1: P = centroid G1). C1 A B1 B G1 A1 C FIGURE 1: How to reverse the process of constructing the circum-medial triangle? A recent paper [1] was concerned with iterating the construction of the circum-medial triangle (it turned out that the shape of the triangles converges to equilaterality). Here, we reverse the process. Specifically, given △ABC we look for △A1B1C1 such that △ABC is the circum-medial triangle of △A1B1C1. It turns out that there are in general two solutions, namely, the circumcevian triangles of △ABC with respect to the foci of the Steiner inellipse of △ABC. Theorem 1: Given △ABCGand a point 1 not on its circumcircle Σ, let △A1B1C1 be its circumcevian triangle with respect to G1. Then G1 is the centroid of △A1B1C1 if, and only if, it is a focus of the Steiner inellipse of △ABC. Remark: Since an ellipse has two foci, this yields the two mentioned solutions (see Figure 2), except in the case where △ABC is equilateral, when * Unfortunately, not every language has such short and precise terms for the corresponding triangles. For instance in German there is no such term, one would have to describe the whole process with many words.
    [Show full text]
  • Dao Thanh Oai, Generalizations of Some Famous Classical Euclidean
    International Journal of Computer Discovered Mathematics (IJCDM) ISSN 2367-7775 c IJCDM September 2016, Volume 1, No.3, pp.13-20. Received 15 July 2016. Published on-line 22 July 2016 web: http://www.journal-1.eu/ c The Author(s) This article is published with open access1. Generalizations of some famous classical Euclidean geometry theorems Dao Thanh Oai Cao Mai Doai, Quang Trung, Kien Xuong, Thai Binh, Vietnam e-mail: [email protected] Abstract. In this note, we introduce generalizations of some famous classical Euclidean geometry theorems. We use problems in order to state the theorems. Keywords. Euclidean geometry, Triangle geometry. Mathematics Subject Classification (2010). 51-04, 68T01, 68T99. Problem 1 ([1],[2], A generalization the Lester circle theorem associated with the Neuberg cubic). Let P be a point on the Neuberg cubic. Let PA be the reflection of P in line BC, and define PB and PC cyclically. It is known that the lines APA, BPB, CPC concur. Let Q(P ) be the point of concurrence. Then two Fermat points, P , Q(P ) lie on a circle. Remark: Let P is the circumcenter, it is well-know that Q(P ) is the Nine point center, the conjucture becomes Lester circle theorem, you can see the Lester circle theorem in([3],[4]). Problem 2 ([5],[6], A generalization of the Parry circle theorem associated with two isogonal conjugate points). Let a rectangular circumhyperbola of ABC, let L be the isogonal conjugate line of the hyperbola. The tangent line to the hyperbola at X(4) meets L at point K.
    [Show full text]
  • An Area Inequality for Ellipses Inscribed in Quadrilaterals
    Journal of Mathematical Inequalities Volume 4, Number 3 (2010), 431–443 AN AREA INEQUALITY FOR ELLIPSES INSCRIBED IN QUADRILATERALS ALAN HORWITZ (Communicated by S. S. Gomis) Area(E) Abstract. If E is any ellipse inscribed in a convex quadrilateral, –D, then we prove that Area(–D) π , and equality holds if and only if –D is a parallelogram and E is tangent to the sides of –D 4 at the midpoints. We also prove that the foci of the unique ellipse of maximal area inscribed in a parallelogram, –D, lie on the orthogonal least squares line for the vertices of –D. This does not hold in general for convex quadrilaterals. 1. Introduction It is well known (see [1], [4], or [5]) that there is a unique ellipse inscribed in a given triangle, T , tangent to the sides of T at their respective midpoints. This is often called the midpoint or Steiner inellipse, and it can be characterized as the inscribed ellipse having maximum area. In addition, one has the following inequality. If E denotes any ellipse inscribed in T ,then Area(E) π √ , (1) Area(T) 3 3 with equality if and only if E is the midpoint ellipse. In [5] the authors also discuss a connection between the Steiner ellipse and the orthogonal least squares line for the vertices of T . DEFINITION 1. The line, £, is called a line of best fitforn given points z1,...,zn n 2 in C,if£ minimizes ∑ d (z j,l) among all lines l in the plane. Here d (z j,l) denotes j=1 the distance(Euclidean) from z j to l .
    [Show full text]
  • Perspective Fields-Part2 Size
    Part 2 – Algebraic Approach and Theory © Chris van Tienhoven [email protected] There is a most special application for Perspective Fields. Because points are generated structurally in Perspective Fields this also can be seen in the formulas of the points. All points in the field we described earlier (defined by X13, X2, X15, X6) have the same algebraic structure in the formulas of their barycentric coordinates: f (a,b,c) = i a2 SA + j SB SC + k a2∆ Where: ∆ = Area of Reference Triangle a,b,c are lenghts of sides Reference Triangle SA = (-a2 + b2 + c2 ) / 2 SB = ( a2 - b2 + c2 ) / 2 SC = ( a2 + b2 - c2 ) / 2 i, j, k are variables uniquely defining the points in a Perspective Field So every point in the field can be defined as a triple (i : j : k). Because only the ratios of variables i, j, k are of importance the triple can be considered as alternate homogeneous coordinates for fieldpoints. The importance of this is that a fieldpoint now is: independant of sides and angles of the referencetriangle and uniquely defined just by 3 numbers. Look at next picture to see what structure comes out. 2 Homogeneous Coordinates (i : j : k) with respect to barycentric coordinates f (a,b,c) = i a2 SA + j SB SC + k a2∆ Note that for all Fieldpoints: . on X4-X6-Line 1st coordinate = 0 . on BrocardAxis 2nd coordinate = 0 . on Euler Line 3rd coordinate = 0 Note that this formula-structure is only valid for Fieldpoints. Non-fieldpoints will have a different formula-structure. 3 Point of departure: .
    [Show full text]
  • The Siebeck–Marden–Northshield Theorem and the Real Roots
    The Siebeck–Marden–Northshield Theorem and the Real Roots of the Symbolic Cubic Equation Emil M. Prodanov School of Mathematical Sciences, Technological University Dublin, Park House, Grangegorman, 191 North Circular Road, Dublin D07 EWV4, Ireland, e-mail: [email protected] Abstract The isolation intervals of the real roots of the symbolic monic cubic polynomial x3 ax2 bx c are determined, in terms of the coefficients of the polynomial, by` solving` the Siebeck–Marden–Northshield` triangle — the equilateral triangle that projects onto the three real roots of the cubic polynomial and whose inscribed circle projects onto an interval with endpoints equal to stationary points of the polynomial. Mathematics Subject Classification Codes (2020): 26C10, 12D10, 11D25. Keywords: Polynomials; Cubic equation; Siebeck–Marden–Northshield theorem; Roots; Isolation intervals; Root bounds. arXiv:2107.01847v1 [math.GM] 5 Jul 2021 1 1 Introduction The elegant theorem of Siebeck and Marden (often referred to as Marden’s theorem) [1]–[5] relates geometrically the complex non-collinear roots of a cubic polynomial with complex coefficients to a triangle whose vertices project onto them, on one hand, and, on the other, the critical points of the polynomial to the projections of the foci of the inellipse of this triangle. This ellipse is unique and is called Steiner inellipse [6]. It is inscribed in the triangle in such way that it is tangent to the sides of the triangle at their midpoints. The real version of the Siebeck–Marden Theorem, as given by Northshield [7], states that the three real roots (not all of which are equal) of a cubic polynomial are projections of the vertices of some equilateral triangle in the plane.
    [Show full text]
  • 38 Finding the Steiner Inellipse Using Complex Numbers [35 Marks]. 1
    38 Finding the Steiner inellipse using complex numbers [35 marks]. 1. [Maximum marks: 35] The Steiner inellipse (pictured above) is the unique ellipse, which is tangent to the 3 midpoints of a triangle. We will explore a method of finding the equation of this ellipse using Marden’s theorem. (a) We start with a cubic equation: ! ! = !! − !! + ! − 1. Write this in the form ! ! = (! − !)(!! + !" + !) where !"ℝ. Hence find the 3 roots of ! ! . [7] (b) Draw a sketch of these 3 roots on an Argand diagram. Join these 3 roots to make a triangle. Label this triangle with points F,G,H. Find the coordinates of the midpoints of the sides of this triangle. Label these as C, D, E on the sketch. [3] (c) Solve !′ ! = 0. Sketch these coordinates A, B on the Argand diagram. [6] We now treat our diagram as the real Cartesian x,y plane. Marden’s theorem states that the coordinates A and B form the foci of the unique ellipse tangent to the triangle FGH at its midpoints C,D,E. This is illustrated at the top of the page. When A and B have coordinates (ℎ, ±!) we have the following equation for our ellipse: (! − ℎ)! !! + = 1 !! !! Where: !! − !! = !!. (d) Find ! !"# ! and hence find the equation for this ellipse. [7] Copyright Andrew Chambers 2020. Licensed for non-commercial use only. Visit ibmathsresources.com to download the full worked mark-scheme and for 300 exploration ideas. 39 (e) Show that the equation of the ellipse tangent to the midpoints of the triangle with vertices (0,2), (0,-2), (2,0) is given by: 4 2 ! !! = − 3 ! − 3 3 [8] (f) Find the gradient of the ellipse at (1,1) and (1,-1).
    [Show full text]