THREE MEDIAN INEQUALITIES

LEONARD GIUGIUC AND ABDILKADIR ALTINTAS

Abstract. In this work we present some triangle inequalities using normalized barycentric
coordinates.
Keywords. Barycentric Coordinates, Triangle, Inequality

1. Introduction
In this work a, b, c is usual notations for side lengths of a triangle.s, r, R are semi
perimeter, inradius and circumradius respectively.
The coordinates (u : v : w) are often normalized such that the values sum to 1,
that is u + v + w = 1 in order to provide easier calculations. To normalize coordinates
1
(u : v : w), simply multiply each value by u+v+w . Therefore, the normalized coordinates
of P (u : v : w) are [3]:
 
u v w
, ,
u+v+w u+v+w u+v+w
Let displacement vector of P Q = (x, y, z) in normalized barycentric coordinates
than,
(1) P Q2 = −a2 yz − b2 zx − c2 xy
The normalized barycentric coordinate of centroid is G = 13 , 31 , 31 . Let D, E, F


be midpoints of BC,
AC and
AB respectively. D, E, F have normalized barycentric
coordinates 0, 12 , 21 , 12 , 0, 21 , 12 , 12 , 0 .

2. Inequalities

Problem 2.1. Let a, b, c, ma , mb , mc be usual notations for side lengths and medians of
ABC. Prove;
am2a + bm2b + cm2c > 9Rrs

Proof. If we use displacement vector of AD and distance formula (1) we have;

1
m2a = −a2 + 2b2 + 2c2


4
Similarly mb = 4 2a − b + 2c and m2c = 14 2a2 + 2b2 − c2 .
2 1 2 2 2

1
1
1
am2a + bm2b + cm2c = c 2a2 + 2b2 − c2 + b 2a2 − b2 + 2c2 + a −a2 + 2b2 + 2c2


4 4 4
If we substitue for R, r and s;
1
am2a + bm2b + cm2c = s s2 + 5r2 + 2rR


2
Date: Wednesday 26th April, 2017.
1
2 LEONARD GIUGIUC AND ABDILKADIR ALTINTAS

By the well-known inequality;

s2 + 5r2 > 16Rr
We get the desired result. 

Problem 2.2. Let a, b, c, ma , mb , mc be usual notations for side lengths and medians of
ABC. Prove;
(b + c)m2a + (c + a)m2b + (a + b)m2c > 9rs(3R − 2r)

Proof. (b + c)m2a + (c + a)m2b + (a + b)m2c is equal to;

1
4a3 + a2 b + ab2 + 4b3 + a2 c + b2 c + ac2 + bc2 + 4c3


4
If we substitue for R, r and s it is equal to;
1
s 5s2 − 11r2 − 26rR


2
By the well-known inequality;
s2 + 5r2 > 16Rr
5s2 + 25r2 > 80Rr
1
1
s 5s2 − 11r2 − 26rR = s 5s2 + 25r2 − 36r2 − 26rR


2 2
1 1
s 5s − 11r − 26rR >) s 54rR − 36r2
2 2



2 2
Finally;
(b + c)m2a + (c + a)m2b + (a + b)m2c > 9rs(3R − 2r)


Problem 2.3. Let a, b, c, ma , mb , mc be usual notations for side lengths and medians of
ABC. Prove;
(b + c − a)m2a + (c + a − b)m2b + (a + b − c)m2c > 18rs(R − r)

Proof. By the previous problem we have the values m2a , m2b , cm2c . So (b + c − a)m2a +
(c + a − b)m2b + (a + b − c)m2c is equal to;
1
5a3 − a2 b − ab2 + 5b3 − a2 c − b2 c − ac2 − bc2 + 5c3


4
If we substitue for R, r and s it is equal to;

2s s2 − 4r2 − 7rR

By the well-known inequality;

s2 > 16Rr − 5r2
We get the desired result.
2s s2 − 4r2 − 7rR > 2s 16Rr − 5r2 − 4r2 − 7rR = 18rs(R − r)


 THREE MEDIAN INEQUALITIES 3

References
[1] Francisco Javier Garcia Capitan, http://garciacapitan.esy.es/baricentricas/
[2] http://faculty.evansville.edu/ck6/encyclopedia/ETC.html
[3] http://koblbauermath.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/1/9/13192946/barycentric coordinates.pdf
[4] Evan Chen, Barycentric Coordinates in Olympiad Geometry, 2012.
[5] Romanian Mathematical Magazine, http://www.ssmrmh.ro/.

National College, Traian- Drobeta Turnu Severin, Romania

E-mail address: leonardgiugiuc@yahoo.comm

Afyonkarahisar, Emirdag, Turkey

E-mail address: kadiraltintas1977@gmail.com