Difference between revisions of "Nine point circle"
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The center of the nine point circle is the [[nine-point center]] and is usually denoted <math>N</math>. | The center of the nine point circle is the [[nine-point center]] and is usually denoted <math>N</math>. | ||
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| + | ==Proof of the Nine-Point circle== | ||
| + | Since <math>O_c</math> is the midpoint of <math>AB</math> and <math>E_b</math> is the midpoint of <math>BH</math>, <math>O_cE_b</math> is parallel to <math>AH</math>. Using similar logic, we see that <math>O_bE_c</math> is also parallel to <math>AH</math>. Since <math>E_b</math> is the midpoint of <math>HB</math> and <math>E_c</math> is the midpoint of <math>BC</math>, <math>E_bE_c</math> is parallel to <math>BC</math>, which is perpendicular to <math>AH</math>. Similar logic gives us that <math>O_bO_c</math> is perpendicular to <math>AH</math> as well. Therefore <math>O_bO_cE_bE_c</math> is a rectangle, which is a cyclic figure. The diagonals <math>O_bE_b</math> and <math>O_cE_c</math> are diagonals of the circumcircle. Similar logic to the above gives us that <math>O_aO_cE_aE_c</math> is a rectangle with a common diagonal to <math>O_bO_cE_bE_c</math>. Therefore the circumcircles of the two rectangles are identical. We can also gain that rectangle <math>O_aO_bE_aE_b</math> is also on the circle. | ||
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| + | We now have a circle with the points <math>O_a</math>, <math>O_b</math>, <math>O_c</math>, <math>E_a</math>, <math>E_b</math>, and <math>E_c</math> on it, with diameters <math>O_aE_A</math>, <math>O_bE_b</math>, and <math>O_cE_c</math>. We now note that <math>\angle E_aH_aO_a=\angle E_bH_bO_b=\angle E_cH_cO_c=90^{\circ}</math>. Therefore <math>H_a</math>, <math>H_b</math>, ad <math>H_c</math> are also on the circle. We now have a circle with the midpoints of the sides on it, the three midpoints of the segments joining the vertices of the triangle to its orthocenter on it, and the three feet of the altitudes of the triangle on it. Therefore the nine points are on the circle, and the nine-point circle exists. | ||
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[[Category:Definition]] | [[Category:Definition]] | ||
Revision as of 11:42, 14 April 2009
The nine point circle (also known as Euler's circle or Feuerbach's circle) of a given triangle is a circle which passes through 9 "significant" points:
- The three feet of the altitudes of the triangle.
- The three midpoints of the edges of the triangle.
- The three midpoints of the segments joining the vertices of the triangle to its orthocenter. (These points are sometimes known as the Euler points of the triangle.)
That such a circle exists is a non-trivial theorem of Euclidean geometry.
The center of the nine point circle is the nine-point center and is usually denoted 
.
Proof of the Nine-Point circle
Since 
is the midpoint of 
and 
is the midpoint of 
, 
is parallel to 
. Using similar logic, we see that 
is also parallel to . Since is the midpoint of 
and 
is the midpoint of 
, 
is parallel to , which is perpendicular to . Similar logic gives us that 
is perpendicular to as well. Therefore 
is a rectangle, which is a cyclic figure. The diagonals 
and 
are diagonals of the circumcircle. Similar logic to the above gives us that 
is a rectangle with a common diagonal to . Therefore the circumcircles of the two rectangles are identical. We can also gain that rectangle 
is also on the circle.
We now have a circle with the points 
, 
, , 
, , and on it, with diameters 
, , and . We now note that 
. Therefore 
, 
, ad 
are also on the circle. We now have a circle with the midpoints of the sides on it, the three midpoints of the segments joining the vertices of the triangle to its orthocenter on it, and the three feet of the altitudes of the triangle on it. Therefore the nine points are on the circle, and the nine-point circle exists.
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