Konstantine Zelator

Heron isosceles Triangles with integral external radii , ,

Department of Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, Mail stop 942 The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606-3390 e-mails: konstantine-zelator@yahoo.com konstantine.zelator@utoledo.edu

April 26, 2007

1 Introduction
For each triangle on a Euclidean plane, there exist three characteristic exterior circles. Each of these circles is tangent to one of the triangles sides; and also tangential to the two straight lines containing the other two sides, but not the sides themselves. Each of the three circle centers is the point of intersection between two of the triangles external angle bisectors as well as one internal angle bisector (figure 1). In a recently published paper by Amy Bell ([1]), a number of properties of the radii, , , respectively say, for such circles, are explored. There is also the work of Hansen ([2]) in which results pertaining to these radii in the case of right angled triangles are obtained. Throughout this paper we will denote by , , the three side lengths of a triangle ABC . The purpose of this work is two-fold. The first objective is to present an alternative simple derivation of the formulas for the radii , , ; in terms of triangle ABC s side lengths , , . We achieve this in Section 3. To do so, we employ the Law of Cosines and two simple trigonometric identities. For a geometric proof (rather than one which involves trigonometric functions), the reader may refer to [6]. For related material see [7], [8], [9]. In Section 4, we state the well known parametric formulas which describe the entire family of Pythagorean triangles or triples. In Section 5, we combine the formulas from Sections 3 and 4. This we do, in order to give formulas for the radii , , , for triangles which are Pythagorean. In Section 6, we examine the family of all isosceles triangles with integer side lengths and integral area. This is the main or primary goal of this work; to parametrically describe (in terms of three integer-valued parameters) the set of all Heron (see below) isosceles triangles which have integral radii , , . We interject here a note on terminology. Note that, typically, a triangle whose side lengths and area are integers is referred to as a Heron triangle. At times we will be using this terminology. Also note that an isosceles Heron triangle must obviously

be non equilateral; if = = is the integer side length of an equilateral triangle its area E is given by E =
2 3
4 , an irrational number.

References for Heron triangles can be found in [10] and [11]. In the section 6, we use an auxiliary proposition, Proposition 1, in order to establish Proposition 2, which provides us with a parametric description of all Heron isosceles triangles. Furthermore, in Theorem 1, we parametrically describe a subset S of all Heron isosceles triangles, namely, those Heron isosceles triangles for which , , are also integers. In the last section, Section 7, we present numerical examples of such triangles by means of two tables.

2 The Law of Cosines and two trigonometric identities

With reference to Figure 1, denotes the interior angle A of triangle ABC and according to the Law of Cosines, 2 = 2 + 2 2 cos . Thus,
cos =

2 + 2 2 2

(1) Moreover, which gives

cos = 2 cos 2 ( ) 1 = 1 2 sin 2 ( ); 2 2

1 cos tan = 1 + cos 2

(2)

AB = BC = AC =

Figure-1 Throughout this paper, s will stand for the triangle ABC s half or semi perimeter: 2s = + + s =
+ +
2

.
+ +
2

If we combine (1) with (2) and use s =

tan = 2

we find that

( s )( s ) s(s )

(3)

3 Formulas for the external radii

In the picture (Figure 1) we have the following:

, ,

AB = , BC = , AC = , O T1 = = O T3

; T1 , T2 , T3

are the points of

tangency. We put x = BT1 = BT2 and y = T2C = CT3 . Since AT1 = AT3 , it follows that + x = + y ; or equivalently
x y =

(4) (5)

But also

BT2 + T2C = BC ;

x+ y =

From (4) and (5) it follows that,

x=

+
2

,y=

+
2

(6)

and from the right angle O T1 A we have

= AT1 . tan

But AT1 = + x =

+ +
2

(7)

= s; and also (7) gives

= s tan 2

(8)

Combining (8) with (3) leads to the formula

=
s ( s )( s ) (s )

(9)

If E is the area of a triangle ABC , the E = s( s )( s )( s ) . This formula for the area E in terms of the side lengths , , is known in the literature as Herons formula. If we use Herons Formula and (9), we easily obtain the formula
=
E , s

and by cyclic interchange we also have

E E and = s s Note that when the triangle AB is a right-angled one with =90; then (8) easily implies = s = semi perimeter.

We also have 2 + 2 = 2 and area E =

= +
2

. We invite the reader

+
2

to do the necessary algebra in order to show that,

and =

(10)

The converse is also true: if = s , then =90. For a proof of the fact that = s if, and only if, =90. The reader may refer to Amy Bells paper (see [1]).

4 When ABC is a Pythagorean triangle

A Pythagorean triangle is a right-angled Heron triangle. Basic material on Pythagorean triangles can be found in [5] and [12]. When ABC is Pythagorean, then , , are positive integers such that 2 = 2 + 2 .This in turn implies that =90 and also,
= (2mn) , = (m 2 n 2 ) , = (m 2 + n 2 )

(11)

Or alternatively = (m 2 n 2 ) , = (2mn) ; for some positive integers m, n, such that m > n, ( m, n) = 1 (i.e., m and n are relatively prime) and m + n 1(mod 2) (One of m , n is odd; the other even). That the above parametric formulas describe the entire family of Pythagorean triples is well known. For historical information regarding Pythagorean triangles the reader may refer to [3]. Another classic book on the subject is [4] and for information on the subject from an elementary number theory view point see [5].

5 The External radii

, ,

of a Pythagorean

triangle
When ABC is a Pythagorean triangle it may be shown from (10) and (11) that
= m( n + m), = n( m + n), = m(m n)

(12)

6 The case of Heron isosceles triangles

In this section, we examine Herons isosceles triangles. These are triangles with = being integers and the area E also being an integer. To be able to describe all such triangles, we make use of Proposition 1, proved below. To establish Proposition 1, we need the following result from number theory Result 1: A positive integer i is the l th ( l a positive integer) power of a positive rational number r if and only if, r is an integer. Equivalently, the l th root of a positive integer i is either an integer or an irrational number. In particular, the square root i is either an integer or otherwise irrational.

Figure-2 For more information and a proof of result 1, refer to [4] or [5]. Proposition 1: Let ABC be an isosceles triangle with side lengths

 = AB = = AC = BC . Suppose that and (= ) are both (positive)

integers and the area E is also an integer. Also, let h be the height from the vertex A to the side BC . Then must be an even integer and h an integer.
h. 2E , it follows that h is a rational number h= 2 M since both E and are integers. We put h = , where M and N are N

Proof: From area E =

relatively prime positive integers. From either of the two congruent right triangles ABM and AMC (Figure 2) it also follows that
M h + = 2 + = 2 ; or equivalently, 2 N 2
2 2 2 2

4M 2 + 2 N 2 = 4 N 2 2

(13)

Obviously, (13) shows that 4 must divide 2 N 2 = ( N ) 2 , hence 2 must divide N . In other words, N must be an integer, which means that at least one of and N must be even. If N is even, N = 2 N1 , for some positive integer N1 . Then by (13) (14) M 2 + 2 N 12 = 4 N 12 2 Since M and N are relatively prime and N is even, it follows that M must be odd. But then, (14) easily implies that the integer 2 N 12 = ( N1 ) 2 must also be odd, which in turn implies that N 1 must be odd as well. Now, the square of any odd integer is congruent to 1 modulo 4 (in fact, 1 modulo 8, but we do not need that). Thus,
M 2 (N1 ) 1(mod 4) M 2 + 2 N12 2(mod 4) ,
2

and thus not a multiple of 4, therefore contradicting (14). Thus, N cannot be even, and since N is even, it follows that is even. Since is even
= 21 , for some positive integer 1 . From h + = 2 we obtain 2 2 2 2 h = 1 , a positive integer. Since h is rational, it follows by Result 1, that in fact h must be an integer.
2 2

The proof is complete. The following proposition essentially describes the family of all heron isosceles triangles. In effect, proposition 2 shows that each Heron

isosceles triangle can be obtained by glueing together two congruent Pythagorean triangles (so that they share a common leg). Proposition be an isosceles triangle with = AB = = AC = BC , the side lengths , , being integers and with the 2:
ABC

Let

area E also an integer. Also, let h be the height from the vertex A to the side BC . Then, Or alternatively = 2 (m 2 n 2 ), h = (2mn), = = (m 2 + n 2 ) ; 2 2 2 2 = 4mn, h = (m n ), = = (m + n ) , for some positive integers , m, n n are relatively prime) and such that m > n, (m, n) = 1 ( i.e., m and m + n 1(mod 2) (i.e., one of m, n is odd; the other even). Conversely, if the side lengths , , of a triangle AB satisfy either set of formulas above for some positive integers , m, n , such that m > n ; then h = (2mn ) or h = (m 2 n 2 ) respectively, and E is an integer. Note: The conditions (m, n) = 1 and m + n 1(mod 2) are not really necessary for the converse statement. Proof: The converse part is straight forward computation and is left to the reader. Since ABC is a Heron isosceles triangle with = . It follows from Proposition 1 that is even and h is an integer. Thus since

is an integer, both congruent right angled triangles ABM and AMC in

Figure 2 are Pythagorean with hypotenuse length = . Therefore, according to (11) we must have
= 2 (m 2 n 2 ), h = (2mn), = = (m 2 + n 2 ) ; or alternatively = 4mn, h = (m 2 n 2 ), = = (m 2 + n 2 ) ,

The proof is complete. Now that we have a complete parametric description of the set of all Heron isosceles triangles, let us identify among such triangles, those for which the external radii , , are also integers. This is done in Theorem 1 below. To do so, however, we need another result from number theory as follows: Result 2: let a, b, c be integers. If c is a divisor of the product a.b and c is relatively prime to a , then c must be a divisor of b . Result 2 and a proof of it can be found, for example, in [4] or [5].
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Theorem 1: Let S be the set of all Heron isosceles triangles; namely, the set of al triangles ABC such that = AB = = AC = BC , with the side lengths , , being integers and with the area E also an integer; and with the added property that the three external radii , , are also integers. Then S is the union of the following two families:
F1 : = = Kn(m 2 + n 2 ), = 2 Kn(m 2 n 2 ) ; in this family the radii are given by = Km(m 2 n 2 ), = = 2 Kmn 2 F2 : = = L(m n)(m 2 + n 2 ), = 4 L(m n)mn ; = 2 Lmn(m + n), = = L(m + n)(m n) 2

and

with

Where K and L are arbitrary positive integers; and m, n can be any two relatively prime integers of different parities ( one even, the other odd), and with m > n . Proof: From the definition of the set S and the parametric formulas that define the family F1 and F2 , it is apparent that if a Heron triangle belongs in F1 or F2 , it must belong in S . Below we prove the converse. That is, if a triangle is a member of S , it must be in F1 or F2 . By Proposition 2, we know that if ABC is a Heron isosceles triangle with = ; we must have = 2 (m 2 n 2 ), h = (2mn), = = (m 2 + n 2 ) (15a) Or alternatively
= 4 mn., h = (m 2 n 2 ), = = (m 2 + n 2 ) ,

(15b)

where m, n are positive integers such that ( m, n) = 1 , m + n 1(mod 2) , and m > n . Also by (10) we know that
E E and = = since (= ) s s 2 + Since E = h and s = = + , it follows that 2 2 2

10

h and = = h 2

(16)

If (15a) holds, (16) and a straight forward calculation yield

= (m 2 n 2 )m
n and = = h = (2mn)

(17)

Since m and n are relatively prime, it follows that n must be relatively prime to the product {(m 2 n 2 )m} ; this is left to the reader to verify. (Note that ( m, n) = 1 alone implies (n, (m2 n 2 )m) = 1 ; the condition m + n 1(mod 2) is not needed for this). On the other hand, as (16) clearly shows, will be an integer if, and only if, n is a divisor of the product (m 2 n 2 )m . Therefore since n is relatively prime to (m 2 n 2 )m , then by result 2, n must be a divisor of ; = Kn , for some positive integer K . Substituting for = Kn in (15a) and (17) produces
= 2 Kn(m 2 n 2 ), = = kn(m 2 + n 2 ) , = Km ( m n 2 ) ,and

= = h = 2 Kmn 2

If on the other hand, possibility (15b) holds, then again combining (15b) with (16) gives,
= (2mn)(m + n)
mn

and = = h = (m 2 n 2 )

(18)

Applying the same reasoning as before, we see that in order for to be an integer, it is necessary and sufficient that ( m n) be a divisor of . This follows from Result 2 and the fact that the positive integer ( m n) is relatively prime to the product 2mn(m + n) . This last inference, in turn, follows from the conditions (m, n) = 1 and m + n 1(mod 2) . We see that in this case, it is not enough that m and n are relatively prime; the fact that one of m, n is even, while the other is odd, is also needed. We set = L(m n) , where L is a positive integer. Combining (15b) with (18) yields

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 = = L(m n)(m 2 + n 2 ), = 4 L(m n)mn ,and = 2 Lmn(m + n), = = L(m + n)(m n) 2 = h

The proof is complete.

7 Numerical examples
We present those Heron isosceles triangles with integral , , , under the parameter constraints 1 n < m 6, L = K = 1 , (m, n) =1, and m + n 1(mod 2) , Family F1 K=1, n=1, m=2 K=1, n=1, m=4 K=1, n=1, m=6 K=1, n=2, m=3 K=1, n=2, m=5 K=1, n=3, m=4 K=1, n=4, m=5 K=1, n=5, m=6 6 30 70 20 84 42 72 110 = 5 17 37 26 58 75 164 305
=

4 8 12 24 40 72 160 300

6 60 210 15 105 28 45 66

Family F2 K=1, n=1, m=2 K=1, n=1, m=4 K=1, n=1, m=6 K=1, n=2, m=3 K=1, n=2, m=5 8 48 120 24 120
12

= 5 51 185 13 87

3 45 175 5 63

12 40 84 60 140

K=1, n=3, m=4 K=1, n=4, m=5 K=1, n=5, m=6

48 80 120

25 41 61

7 9 11

168 360 660

References
Bell, Amy, Hansens right Triangle Theorem, Its converse and a generalization, forum Geometricorum, 6 (2006), 335-342 ( an electronic journal). [2] Hansen, D. W., On inscribed and escribed circles of right triangles, circumscribed triangles, and the four-square, three-square problem, Mathematics teacher, 96 (2003), 358-364. [3] Dickson, L. E. History of the Theory of Numbers, AMS Chelsea Publishing, Providence, Rhode Island, 1992, 803 pp. [4] Sierpinski, W., Elementary Theory of Numbers, Warsaw, Poland, 1964. [5] Rose, Kenneth H., Elementary Number Theory and its Applications, Third Edition, 1993, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. [6] www.cut-the-knot.org/triangle/InExCircles.shtml [7] P.Yiu, Introduction to the Geometry of the triangle, Florida Atlantic University Lecture Notes, 2001. [8] R.A.Johnson, Advanced Euclidean Geometry, Dover reprint, 1960. [9] J.Casey, A Sequel to the First Six Books of the Elements of Euclid, 6th edition,1888. [10] K.R.S.Sastry, Heron Triangles: A Gergonne-Cevian-and-Median Perspective, Forum Geometricorum, Volume 1(2001), 17-24. [11] Al Cuoco, www.edc.org/cme/showcase/heron.pdf [12] Beiler, A.H., Recreations in the Theory of Numbers, Dover Publications, Inc., New York, 1966. [1]

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