Forum Geometricorum

Volume 16 (2016) 249–256.

FORUM GEOM
ISSN 1534-1178

Some Collinearities in the Heptagonal Triangle

Abdilkadir Altintaş

Abstract. With the methods of barycentric coordinates, we establish several

collinearities in the heptagonal triangle, formed by a side and two diagonals of
different lengths of a regular heptagon.

1. The regular heptagon

Consider a regular heptagon AA′ C ′ A′′ BCB ′ inscribed in a circle, each side of
length a. The diagonals are of two kinds. Those with 3 vertices on the defining
minor arc have the same length b, and those with 4 vertices on the defining minor
arc have the same length c. There are seven of each kind. The lengths a, b, c satisfy
some simple relations.
Lemma 1. (a) a2 = c(c − b),
(b) b2 = a(c + a),
(c) c2 = b(a + b),
(d) a1 = 1b + 1c .

A′ A′ A′ A′
′ ′ ′ ′
C A C A C A C A

O
O O
O
A′′ B ′ A′′ B ′ A′′ B ′ A′′ B′

B C B C B C B C

Figure 1(a) Figure 1(b) Figure 1(c) Figure 1(d)

Proof. Applying Ptolemy’s theorem to the quadrilaterals

(a) A′′ B ′ AC ′ , we obtain c2 = a2 + bc =⇒ a2 = c(c − b);
(b) BCB ′ A′′ , we obtain b2 = a(c + a);
(c) BCAC ′ , we obtain c2 = b(a + b);
(d) BCB ′ A′ , we obtain bc = ca + ab =⇒ a1 = 1b + 1c . 
Corollary 2. The roots of the cubic polynomial t3 − 2t2 − t + 1 are − cb , ac , and ab .
(a) b3 + 2b2 c − bc2 − c3 = 0,
(b) c3 − 2c2 a − ca2 + a3 = 0,
(c) a3 − 2a2 b − ab2 + b3 = 0.
Publication Date: June 8, 2016. Communicating Editor: Paul Yiu.
250 A. Altintaş

2. The heptagonal triangle

Consider the triangle ABC imbedded in the regular heptagon AA′ C ′ A′′ BCB ′ .
We call this the heptagonal triangle. It has angles A = π7 , B = 2π 4π
7 , C = 7 , and
sidelengths BC = a, CA = b, AB = c satisfying the relations given in Lemma
1. Basic properties of the heptagonal triangle can be found in [1]. We establish
several collinearity relations in the triangle ABC by the method of barycentric co-
ordinates. A basic reference is [2]. The paper [3] contains results on the heptagonal
triangle obtained by complex number coordinates.
In the heptagonal triangle ABC, let
(i) AX, BY , CZ be the angle bisectors, concurrent at the incenter I,
(ii) AD, BE, CF be the medians, concurrent at the centroid G, and
(iii) AD′ , BE ′ , CF ′ be symmedians, concurrent at the symmedian point K.
In homogeneous barycentric coordinates with reference to the heptagonal trian-
gle ABC,
X = (0 : b : c), Y = (a : 0 : c), Z = (a : b : 0), I = (a : b : c);
D = (0 : 1 : 1) E = (1 : 0 : 1), F = (1 : 1 : 0), G = (1 : 1 : 1);
D′ = (0 : b2 : c2 ), E ′ = (a2 : 0 : c2 ), F ′ = (a2 : b2 : 0), K = (a2 : b2 : c2 ).
Proposition 3. (a) Y , Z, G are collinear.
(b) E ′ , F ′ , I are collinear.
(c) G, I, D′ are collinear.
(d) E, X, K are collinear.

A′

A
C′

F
E
A′′ B
G
Z
Y
F′ I
E′

B X D′ C

Figure 2
Some collinearities in the heptagonal triangle 251

Proof. (a) The equation of the line Y Z is

 
x y z   x y z
 
0 = a 0 c  = −bcx + cay + abz = abc − + + .
 a b 0 a b c

This is clearly satisfied if (x : y : z) = (1 : 1 : 1) by Lemma 1(d). Therefore, the

line Y Z contains the centroid G of triangle ABC.
(b) The equation of the line E ′ F ′ is
 
x y z  x y z
0 c2  = −b2 c2 x + c2 a2 y + a2 b2 z = a2 b2 c2 − 2 + 2 + 2 .
 2 
0 = a
 a 2 b2 0  a b c

By Lemma 1 (d) again, this is clearly satisfied if (x : y : z) = (a : b : c).

Therefore, the line E ′ F ′ contains the incenter I of triangle ABC.
(c) The equation of the line GI is
 
x y z 
 
0 =  1 1 1 = (b − c)x + (c − a)y + (a − b)z.
a b c 
With (x, y, z) = (0, b2 , c2 ), we have (c−a)b2 +(a−b)c2 = (b−c)(bc−ca−ab) = 0
by Lemma 1 (d). Therefore, G, I, D ′ are collinear.
(d) The equation of the line EX is
 
x y z 
 
0 =  0 b c  = bx + cy − bz.
 1 0 1
With (x, y, z) = (a2 , b2 , c2 ), we have
bx + cy − bz = a2 b + b2 c − bc2 = b(a2 − c(c − b)) = 0
by Lemma 1(a). Therefore, E, X, K are collinear. 
Proposition 4. (a) O, Z, D are collinear.
(b) O, F , Y are collinear.
(c) Let the median BE intersect the bisector CZ at T .
(i) The points F ′ , T , Y are collinear
(ii) The points O, T , K are collinear.

Proof. (a) Since ∠ZCB = ∠ZBC = 2π 7 , ZB = ZC. Clearly, OB = OC.

Therefore, the line OZ is the perpendicular bisector of BC, and passes through its
midpoint D (see Figure 3).
(b) The equation of the line F Y is
 
x y z 
 
0 =  1 1 0 = −cx + cy + az.
a 0 c 
With (x, y, z) = (a2 (b2 + c2 − a2 ), b2 (C 2 + a2 − b2 ), c2 (a2 + b2 − c2 )), we have
−cx + cy + az = c(a2 + b2 − c2 )(a(c + a) − b2 ) = 0
252 A. Altintaş

A′

A
C′

F
E
A ′′ B
G
Z
Y
′
F T
I
E′

B D C

Figure 3

by Lemma 1 (b). Therefore, the points O, F , Y are collinear.

(c) The intersection of the median BE and the bisector CZ is T = (a : b : a).
(i) The equation of Y F ′ is
 
 x y z
0 =  a 0 c  = −b2 cx + a2 cy + ab2 z.
 
 a 2 b2 0 
With the coordinates of T , we have
−b2 ca + a2 cb + ab2 a = ab(−bc + ca + ab) = 0
by Lemma 1 (a). Therefore, Y , T , F ′ are collinear.
(ii) The equation of the Brocard axis OK is
b2 − c 2 c 2 − a2 a 2 − b2
x + y + z = 0,
a2 b2 c2
(see [2, p. 111]). With (x, y, z) = (a, b, a), the left hand side becomes
b2 − c2 c2 − a2 a(a2 − b2 ) −ab bc a · (−ca) c(c − b) − a2
+ + = + + = =0
a b c2 a b c2 c
by Lemma 1. Therefore, the points O, T , K are collinear. 
Some collinearities in the heptagonal triangle 253
 
a2
Let the line AI intersect the circumcircle at J. This is the point J = − b+c : b: c =
(−a2 : b(b + c) : c(b + c)).
Proposition 5. Let H and N be the orthocenter and nine-point center of the hep-
tagonal triangle ABC.
(a) B, J, H are collinear.
(b) E ′ , Z, N are collinear.

A′

A
C′

F
E
A′′ B
G
Z
Y
T
F′ I N
E′

B C
J
H

Figure 4

Proof. (a) The line BJ has equation

 
 x y z 
0  = c(b + c)x + a2 z.

0 =  0 1
−a2 b(b + c) c(b + c)
If (x : y : z) are the homogeneous barycentric coordinates of H, then x : z =
a2 + b2 − c2 : b2 + c2 − a2 . Since
c(b + c)(a2 + b2 − c2 ) + a2 (b2 + c2 − a2 )
= − a4 + a2 (b2 + bc + 2c2 ) − c(b + c)(c2 − b2 )
= − (a4 − a2 ((b + c)2 + c(c − b)) + c(c − b)(b + c)2 )
= − (a2 − (b + c)2 )(a2 − c(c − b))
=0
254 A. Altintaş

by Lemma 1 (a). Therefore, B, J, H are collinear.

(b) The line E ′ Z has equation
 
x y z
0 = a 0 c2  = −bc2 x + ac2 y + a2 bz.
 2 
a b 0
The nine-point center N has coordinates
(a2 (b2 + c2 ) − (b2 − c2 )2 : b2 (c2 + a2 ) − (c2 − a2 )2 : c2 (a2 + b2 ) − (a2 − b2 )2 ).
Substituting these into −bc2 x + ac2 y + a2 bz, we obtain
(c2 − a2 )b5 − 2(c2 − a2 )(c2 + a2 )b3 + c2 a(c2 + a2 )b2 + (c2 − a2 )(c4 + a4 )b
− c2 a(c2 − a2 )2
= (c2 − a2 ) b5 − 2(c2 + a2 )b3 + (c4 + a4 )b − c2 a(c2 − a2 ) + ab2 c2 (c2 + a2 )
 

= bc b5 − 2(c2 + a2 )b3 + (c4 + a4 )b − c2 a(bc) + abc(c2 + a2 )

 

= bc b5 − 2(c2 + a2 )b3 + (c2 + a2 )2 b − 2a2 bc2 + abc · a2 )

 

= b3 c (c2 + a2 − b2 )2 − a2 c(2c − a)
 

= b2 c (c2 + a2 − a(c + a))2 − a2 c(2c − a)

 

= b2 c c2 (c − a)2 − a2 c(2c − a)
 

= b2 c2 c(c − a)2 − a2 (2c − a)

 

= b2 c2 c3 − 2c2 a − ca2 + a3
 

=0
by Corollary 2 (b). Therefore, E ′ , Z and N are collinear. 
The Jerabek hyperbola
a (b2 −c2 )(b2 +c2 −a2 )yz +b2 (c2 −a2 )(c2 +a2 −b2 )zx+c2 (a2 −b2 )(a2 +b2 −c2 )xy = 0
2

of a triangle ABC is the circum-rectangular hyperbola through the circumcenter

O and the orthocenter H (see [2, p.110]). It also contains the symmedian point K.
Consider the intersections P and Q of the hyperbola with the median CF and the
bisector CZ respectively. These are the points

P = (2a2 b2 − c2 (a2 + b2 − c2 ) : 2a2 b2 − c2 (a2 + b2 − c2 ) : c2 (a2 + b2 − c2 )), (1)

Q = (a(a3 b + a2 (2b2 − c2 ) + ab(b2 − c2 ) − c2 (b2 − c2 ))
: b(a3 b + a2 (2b2 − c2 ) + ab(b2 − c2 ) − c2 (b2 − c2 ))
: (a + b)c2 (a2 + b2 − c2 )). (2)

Figure 5 shows the Jerabek hyperbola of the heptagonal triangle.

Some collinearities in the heptagonal triangle 255

A′

A
C′

Q
O
P

F E
A′′ B
Z
G

Z1

E′

B D′ C

Y1
H

Figure 5

Proposition 6. Let BY1 and CZ1 be altitudes of the heptagonal triangle ABC.
(a) H, E ′ , P are collinear.
(b) O, E, Q are collinear.
(c) K, Y1 , Q are collinear.
(d) D′ , Z1 , Q are collinear.
Proof. (a) The equation of the line E ′ H is
c2 (a2 + b2 − c2 )(b2 + c2 − a2 )x + (c2 − a2 )(c2 + a2 − b2 )2 y
− a2 (a2 + b2 − c2 )(b2 + c2 − a2 )z = 0.
With the coordinates of P given in (1), we have
− 2(c2 − a2 )(c2 + a2 − b2 )(a2 b2 (b2 − a2 ) + (a4 − a2 b2 − b4 )c2 + (b2 − a2 )c4 )
= −2(c2 − a2 )(c2 + a2 − b2 ) · ab(a + b)(a3 − 2a2 b − ab2 + b3 )
= 0
by Lemma 1 (c) and Corollary 2(c). Therefore, the points H, E ′ , P are collinear.
(b) The equation of the line OE is
−b2 x + (c2 − a2 )y + b2 z = 0.
256 A. Altintaş

With the coordinates of Q given in (2), we have

b(c2 − a2 )(a + b + c)(a + b − c)(b(a + b) − c2 ) = 0
by Lemma 1 (c). Therefore, O, E, Q are collinear.
In homogeneous barycentric coordinates,
Y1 = (a2 + b2 − c2 : 0 : b2 + c2 − a2 ),
Z1 = (c2 + a2 − b2 : b2 + c2 − a2 : 0).
(c) The equation of the line KY1 is
b2 (b2 + c2 − a2 )x + (c2 − a2 )(c2 + a2 − b2 )y − b2 (a2 + b2 − c2 )z = 0.
With the coordinates of Q given in (2), we have
b(c2 − a2 )(b2 + c2 − a2 )(c2 + a2 − b2 )(b(a + b) − c2 ) = 0
by Lemma 1 (c). Therefore, K, Y1 , Q are collinear.
(d) The equation of the line D′ Z1 is
c2 (b2 + c2 − a2 )x − c2 (c2 + a2 − b2 )y + b2 (c2 + a2 − b2 )z = 0.
With the coordinates of Q given in (2), we have
c2 (b(a + b) − c2 )(b2 + c2 − a2 )((b − a)c2 + a3 + a2 b + ab2 − b3 ) = 0
by Lemma 1 (c) again. Therefore, D′ , Z1 , Q are collinear.


References
[1] L. Bankoff and J. Garfunkel, The heptagonal triangle, Math. Mag., 46 (1973) 7–19.
[2] P. Yiu, Introduction to the Geometry of the Triangle, Florida Atlantic University Lecture Notes,
2001; with corrections, 2013, http://math.fau.edu/Yiu/Geometry.html
[3] P. Yiu, Heptagonal triangles and their companions, Forum Geom., 9 (2009) 125–148.

Abdilkadir Altintaş: Emirdag Anadolu Lisesi, 03600 Emirdag Afyon - Turkey

E-mail address: [email protected]