Another_synthetic_proof_of_Lesters_theor
Another_synthetic_proof_of_Lesters_theor
Fermat points
Ngo Quang Duong
Hanoi, Vietnam
Abstract
This paper introduces another synthetic proof of Lester’s theorem by showing that the two Fermat points
are also the isodynamic points of the orthocentroidal triangle.
1 Introduction
In 1996, Professor June A. Lester discovered the following unexpected result:
Theorem 1.1 (Lester’s theorem, [1]). In every scalene triangle, the two Fermat points, the circumcenter and
the nine-point center are concyclic.
Most proofs of this theorem are computer-based or coordinate-based, including Lester’s, which used complex
coordinates. So far, there is only one published and synthetic proof for this theorem, which is given by Nikolai
Ivanov Beluhov [2].
Besides the lemma, the key idea in the proof given by N. I. Beluhov is that two Fermat points are inverses with
respect to the “orthocentroidal circle” − The circle whose diameter is the line segment joining the orthocenter
and centroid. To prove that, I will use a different approach. I will prove a stronger result: the two Fermat
points are the isodynamic points of the orthocentroidal triangle − The triangle whose vertices are the orthogonal
projections of centroid onto three altitudes.
But at first, we need to establish some properties of the Apollonius circles of the orthocentroidal triangle.
Besides, for consistency, throughout this paper, we name the points as follow:
• Let ABC be a scalene triangle and F1 , F2 be its first Fermat point, second Fermat point.
• H, G, O, N are the orthocenter, centroid, circumcenter, nine-point center of triangle ABC, respectively.
• B1 CA, B2 CA are equilateral triangles such that: B and B2 are on the same side of CA, B and B1 are
on opposite sides of CA.
• C1 AB, C2 AB are equilateral triangles such that: C and C2 are on the same side of AB, C and C1 are on
opposite sides of AB.
• X1 , X2 , Y1 , Y2 , Z1 , Z2 are the centroids of triangles A1 BC, A2 BC, AB1 C, AB2 C, ABC1 , ABC2 respec-
tively.
1
A
Hb A
Hc D
H
Y Z Y Z
X G G
X
B Ha Ma C B H a Ma C
Figure 1
then triangles Ma BD and Ma AB are inversely similar, triangles Ma CD and Ma AC are inversely similar
(angle-angle). From these results and the concyclicity of X, Y , Z, G, H, D, we can do angle chasing.
(Y Z, Y D) ≡ (GZ, GD) ≡ (AB, AMa ) ≡ (BMa , BD) ≡ (BC, BD) (mod π),
(Y Z, DZ) ≡ (GY, GD) ≡ (AC, AMa ) ≡ (CMa , CD) ≡ (BC, DC) (mod π).
Therefore, triangles DY Z and DBC are directly similar (angle-angle). Due to the pairs of similar triangles:
DY DB DB AB AC BMa AB AMa AB XY
≡ ≡ · · = · · = = .
DZ DC AB AC DC AMa AC CMa AC XZ
So D lies on the X-Apollonius circle of triangle XY Z.
In conclusion, A and D lie on the X-Apollonius circle of triangle XY Z.
2
A
A2 A2
F2
A≡D
G X2 X2
X
U2
D X G
H
B Ha Ma C B Ha Ma C
F2
U2
Figure 2
If ∠BAC is non-right angle, we can construct the X-Apollonius circle of triangle XY Z as the circumcircle
of triangle ADX since these three points are pairwise distinct. In the edge case, ∠BAC is right angle, the
X-Apollonius circle of triangle XY Z is the circle that passes through A, X and tangent to AMa at A. We will
use these remarks to prove the following result.
Theorem 2.2. F1 and F2 lies on the X-Apollonius circle of triangle XY Z.
3
Back to Theorem 1.1.
A
H
Y
M Z
F1 N
X G
F2 O
B C
Figure 3
Proof of Theorem 1.1. From Theorem 2.1 and Theorem 2.2, we obtain that F1 , F2 lie on three Apollonius circles
of triangle XY Z. It follows that F1 , F2 are the isodynamic points of triangle XY Z. Since the orthocentroidal
circle is also the circumcircle of triangle XY Z, F1 , F2 are inverses with respect to the orthocentroidal circle.
Let M be the midpoint of HG. Then:
1
M F1 · M F2 = M G 2 = M G · 2M G = M N · M O.
2
From this, we conclude that F1 , F2 , N , O are concyclic.
3 Fermat triangle
When the measure of ∠BAC is other than π3 , 2π 3 , then three points A, F1 , F2 are pairwise distinct. Let’s call
triangle AF1 F2 the A-Fermat triangle (or Fermat triangle).
Previously, we proved that X-Apollonius circle of triangle XY Z passes through D (which is also known as
the A-Humpty point) and two Fermat points. Equivalently, D, X lies on the circumcircle of triangle AF1 F2 .
In this section, I introduce and re-introduce some other properties of this triangle.
Theorem 3.1 (N. I. Beluhov [3]). Euler line of triangle AF1 F2 passes through the centroid of triangle ABC.
In [3], the original theorem was: “Euler lines of 10 triangles with vertices chosen from A, B, C, F1 , F2 are
concurrent at the centroid of triangle ABC”. Beluhov divided ten triangles into three types:
Type I. ABC,
Type II. F1 BC, F2 BC, AF1 C, AF2 C, ABF1 , ABF2 ,
Type III. AF1 F2 , BF1 F2 , CF1 F2 ,
where Type III seems to be the hardest. I will re-produce and improve (with directed angles) Beluhov proof.
The main idea is showing G, the centroid and the circumcenter of triangle AF1 F2 are collinear by Playfair’s
axiom.
4
A
A2
Y1
Oa
Z1
Ga
Z2 F2
F0
G
Y2
X2
F1
B Ma C
X1 F1′
A1
Figure 4
The congruence implies that the intersection of BB1 and CC1 lies on the circumcircle of triangle
A1 BC, which means F1 , A1 , B, C are concyclic.
Analogously, F1 also lies on the circumcircles of triangles AB1 C and ABC1 .
Result 2. The circumcircles of triangles A2 BC, AB2 C, ABC2 pass through F2 .
Similar to Result 1.
Result 3. X1 Y1 Z1 and X2 Y2 Z2 are equilateral triangles. G is the centroid of these two triangles.
Since A1 BC, AB1 C, ABC1 are equilateral triangles, then X1 , Y1 , Z1 are their circumcenters, respec-
tively.
According to Result 1
5
Similarly
GX1 GY1 GZ1 1
= = = .
AA1 BB1 CC1 3
On the other hand, the following pairs of triangles are directly congruent (side-angle-side)
• ABB1 and AC1 C.
• BCC1 and BA1 A.
• CAA1 and CB1 B.
Therefore, AA1 = BB1 = CC1 .
Hence, GX1 = GY1 = GZ1 , so G is the circumcenter of triangle X1 Y1 Z1 .
Analogously, triangles X2 Y2 Z2 and A2 CB are directly similar, then X2 Y2 Z2 is an equilateral triangle.
Furthermore, G is also the circumcenter of triangle X2 Y2 Z2 .
Result 4. X1 Y1 Z1 and X2 Y2 Z2 have opposite orientations. According to the proof of Result 3, triangles
X1 Y1 Z1 and A1 CB are directly similar, triangles X2 Y2 Z2 and A2 CB are directly similar.
On the other hand, triangle A1 CB and A2 CB are inversely similar.
Therefore, triangles X1 Y1 Z1 and X2 Y2 Z2 are inversely similar, which implies that they have opposite
orientations.
(Y1 Oa , Y1 G) ≡ (Y1 Z1 , Y1 G)
≡ −(Y2 Z2 , Y2 G)
≡ (Y2 Z2 , GZ2 )
(GY2 Z2 is an isosceles triangle)
≡ (Z2 Oa , Z2 G) (mod π).
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Two isoceles triangles Z2 AB and Y1 AC are directly similar (side-angle-side). Therefore, triangles ABC
and AZ2 Y1 are directly similar. It follows that
π
(GOa , F2 F1′ ) ≡ + (AF1 , CF1 ) + (AB, AZ2 ) (mod π).
2
Since F1 , A, B1 , C are concyclic, and AZ2 is perpendicular to BC2 , then
Two equilateral triangles AB1 C and ABC2 have opposite orientations, therefore
Hence (GOa , F2 F1′ ) ≡ 0 (mod π), which implies that GOa and F2 F1′ are parallel/coincident.
According to Playfair’s axiom, G, Ga , Oa are collinear. Equivalently, the Euler line of triangle AF1 F2 passes
through G.
I used Theorem 3.1 as another approach to the following.
Theorem 3.2 (Telv Cohl [4]). X is the Euler reflection point of triangle AF1 F2 . The Parry reflection point of
triangle AF1 F2 lies on BC.
The idea is a classic property of Wallace-Simson/Steiner line1 .
Lemma 3.3. Let O be the circumcenter of triangle ABC. Denote the Wallace-Simson/Steiner line of P with
respect to triangle ABC by s(ABC, P ). Then
1
(s(ABC, P ), s(ABC, Q)) ≡ (OP, OQ) (mod π).2
2
Proof of Lemma 3.3. I will prove that
1
(s(ABC, P ), s(ABC, A)) ≡ − (OP, OA) (mod π)
2
to derive the desire result.
line is called the Wallace line (or Wallace-Simson line) of that point with respect to the triangle. Whilst the Steiner line passes
through the reflections of that point in the sidelines of the triangle.
2 For those who aren’t familiar with bold notation: AB is the notation of vector AB, and (OP, OQ) (mod 2π) is directed
7
Case 3. P coincides with C. Similar to the previous case
(s(ABC, P ), s(ABC, C)) ≡ (AB, CB)
1
≡ (OA, OC)
2
1
≡ (OA, OP)
2
1
≡ − (OP, OA) (mod π).
2
Case 4. P does not coincide with A, B, or C. Let D, E, F be the orthogonal projections of P on BC, CA,
AB, respectively.
(s(ABC, P ), s(ABC, A)) ≡ (DE, P D)
≡ (CE, CP ) (C, P , D, E are concyclic)
≡ (CA, CP )
1
≡ (OA, OP)
2
1
≡ − (OP, OA) (mod π).
2
Hence
(s(ABC, P ), s(ABC, Q)) ≡ (s(ABC, P ), s(ABC, A)) + (s(ABC, A), s(ABC, Q))
1 1
≡ − (OP, OA) − (OA, OQ)
2 2
1
≡ − (OP, OQ) (mod π).
2
A2
Y1
Oa
Z1
Ga F2
Z2
G
X Y
2
X2
F1
B Ma C
X1 F1′
A1
Figure 5
Proof. (i) To prove X is the Euler reflection point is to prove GOa is the Steiner line of X with respect to
triangle AF1 F2 .
8
According to Lemma 3.3 and inscribed angle theorem
On the other hand, F1 F1′ and A1 A2 share the same midpoint. Therefore, A1 F1 and A2 F1′ are paral-
lel/coincident, then
Meanwhile, according to Theorem 3.1, F2 F1′ and GOa are parallel/coincident; F2 X1 and Y2 Z2 are paral-
lel/coincident since they are perpendicular to AF2 .
Therefore
Since s(AF1 F2 , F1 ) and Y2 Z2 are parallel/coincident, then s(AF1 F2 , X) and GOa are parallel/coincident.
GOa is the Euler line of triangle AF1 F2 , then X is the Euler reflection point of triangle AF1 F2 .
(ii) The circumcenter of triangle AF1 F2 lies on the perpendicular bisector of AX.
Oa
Ga
F2
X G
F1
P B Ha Ma C
Figure 6
Inspired by Theorem 3.2, I wonder if D is also a triangle center of triangle AF1 F2 . I don’t have an answer
yet. However, I found and managed to prove the following property of D.
Theorem 3.4. Steiner line of D with respect to triangle AF1 F2 passes through the orthocenter of triangle ABC.
9
A
Oa
Ga
F2
Ka
X G
F1
D
H
B Ma C
Figure 7
1
(Ka A, Ka G) ≡ (s(AF1 F2 , A), s(AF1 F2 , X)) ≡ − (Oa A, Oa X) (mod π).
2
By inscribed angle theorem
1
(s(AF1 F2 , D), s(AF1 F2 , X)) ≡ − (Oa D, Oa X)
2
≡ (AX, AD)
≡ (AH, AG)
≡ (HKa , GKa ) (mod π).
Since s(AF1 F2 , X) and GKa are parallel/coincident, then s(AF1 F2 , D) and HKa are parallel/coincident.
Thus, the Steiner line of D with respect to triangle AF1 F2 passes through H.
4 Conclusion
So, in this paper, I provide another proof for the Lester’s theorem by some properties of the so-called Fermat
triangle and digging a little more into it. There are other properties of this Fermat triangle, for example: the
isodynamic points of triangle AF1 F2 lie on AB, AC. However, I pause here for now. Readers might want to check
out more properties in this post: https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c6h1329709p7205788.
References
[1] J. A. Lester, Triangles III: Complex triangle functions. Aequationes Mathematicae 53 (1997), 4–35.
[2] N. I. Beluhov, An elementary proof of Lester’s theorem. Journal of Classical Geometry 1 (2012), 53–56.
[3] N. I. Beluhov, Ten concurrent Euler lines. Forum Geometricorum 9 (2009), 271–274.
[4] TelvCohl, Small problem on Parry reflection point, https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c6h1
396744p7801781
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