Right

Triangle --some interesting results

[beyond Pythagorean Theorem]
Srinivasan Nenmeli Ph D

Introduction
Right triangle [or right -angled triangle] is the easy
entry into the intricacies of (Euclidean} geometry.
There are several interesting results from the simple
triangle: right triangle. Let us explore some of them.
We start with Pythagorean Theorem.
1 Draw a large right triangle.Label it "ABC" such that
AC is the hypotenuse, the longest side!
The right angle is the angle ABC .
Now you know that AB2 + BC2 = AC2 ---------------(1)
Let us call AB =a , BC = b and AC = c
Then a2 + b2 = c2 --------------------- (2)
You know that {a,b,c} is called a "Pytho triple" or PT.
For instance { 3,4,5} is a "PT" .
You also know that the converse of Pytho Theorem is also
true: If the sides of a triangle satisfy the relation

Right Triangle --some interesting results

[beyond Pythagorean Theorem]
that the sum of the squares of two sides is equal to the
square of the third side, the triangle is a right
triangle.

2 Draw a perpendicular from AC at point P such that BP
is perpendicular to AC... Call BP= f
Let us call AP= d, PC= e.
d+e = c.
Note that this is the only perpendicular you can draw
from the vertices, A, B and C.!
Since the two triangles ABP and BPC are similar
triangles,
we get d/f = f/e or
f = (d .e) -------------------(3)
f is the square root of d.f and is thus the 'geometric
mean of d.f".
We will find another easy equation for f later.

Right Triangle --some interesting results

[beyond Pythagorean Theorem]
3 Find the midpoint of Ac, point 'O'.
Draw a semicircle with AC as the diameter. Since vertex
B touches the arc of the semi-circle, the angle
subtended is 90 degrees...a result from geometry of
circles.
The circle that encloses the triangle is called the
"circumcircle".
Therefore the radius of "Circumcircle" "R" is just AC/2
or c/2.
As the point B is moved along the arc of the semicircle,
AB and BC will vary but the angle between them always
remains 90 deg.!
Draw OB. When OB is perpendicular to AC ,then
AB = BC. You get a 'half-square'.
Can you calculate the area occupied by the right
triangle inside the semicircle?
For semisquare, area of triangle Ar = (1/2) base x
height = (1/2) 2R.R

Right Triangle --some interesting results

[beyond Pythagorean Theorem]
=R.R = c2 /4.
Now the area of the semicircle:
Ar' = R2 /2 = 3.14 c2 /8
Now the ratio of area occupied by the right triangle to
the area of the semicircle = Ar/Ar' =0.637
This is a useful result!
4. Do you recall the Heron's formula for the area of a
triangle?
Area = Ar = sqrt[ s (s-a)(s-b) (s-c)]
where s = semiperimeter= (a+b+c)/2 .
For a right triangle:
area Ar = s (s- c) = (s-a)(s-b) --------- (4)
This simple result ,elegant as it is, can be proved
easily.
Proof: s-c = (a+b+c)/2 - c = (a+b -c)/2
s(s-c) = (1/4){[(a+b) + c] . [(a+b) - c]}
= (1/4) { (a+b)2 - c2 }
= (1/4) { (a2 + 2 ab + b2 ) - c2 } }

Right Triangle --some interesting results

[beyond Pythagorean Theorem]
= (1/4) { (c2 +2ab) - c2 }
= (1/4) (2 ab) = ab/2

area = ab/2 for a right triangle.

You can prove for yourself that (s-a)(s-b) is also
equal to the area , from Heron's formula.

There is another useful result for the area of a right
triangle:
Area = a.b/2 = (1/2)c.f since f is perpendicular to c.
Therefore f = ab/c. ----------- (5)
If a=3, b=4, c= 5, then
area = 3.4/2 = 6 ; f = 3.4/5 = 2.4
You can check the result by actual measurement on the
right triangle you have drawn.

5 What is the radius of an inscribed circle "incircle"
of a right triangle?
Incircle radius r = s-c = (a + b -c)/2 = ab / (a+b+c)

Right Triangle --some interesting results

[beyond Pythagorean Theorem]
--------(6)
Proof:
Draw a right triangle and an incircle. Since the
incircle is tangent to the three sides, draw the three
perpendiculars from the center to the three points. Now
you have three triangles with the areas:
r.a/2 , r.b/2 and r.c/2.
Adding the three areas and equating to ab/2 , we get:
r (a+b+c)/2 = ab/2
r = ab/(a+b+c) = s(s-c)
For a PT {3,4,5} , r = 12/12 = 1 unit.
Check the result with a drawing of right triangle .
6 We are not yet finished with the perpendicular to
hypotenuse 'f' yet.
Another relationship is :
1/a2 + 1/b2 = 1/ f2 ----------------(7)
Proof: We have already shown that:
f = ab/c

Right Triangle --some interesting results

[beyond Pythagorean Theorem]
1/f2 = C2 / a2 b2 = (a2 + b2 )/ a2 b2
This leads to equation (7)
We will show a few applications in the form of simple
exercises:

Applications
1 Mr Bill Wright , an architect designs the front facade
of a building ;the top structure is a triangle with the
bottom line is about 13 feet . If he constructs a right
triangle with the sides or legs of 10 feet each, find
the largest circular logo he can inscribe inside the
triangle.
The incircle radius r = ab/(a+b+c) = 100/23 = 4.35 feet.
Therefore the logo can be of 8.6 diameter.

2 The perpendicular distance of a sail in the form of
right triangle is 6 feet. This is the length of the boom
to secure the sail in the frame. If the sides of the
sail are 12 feet and 5 feet, find the point at which the

Right Triangle --some interesting results

[beyond Pythagorean Theorem]
boom should be attached to the frame.
The hypotenuse c = 13 feet.
f = 6 feet = sqrt( d.e)
Since d + e = 13 feet, 6 = sqrt( d (13 -d))
Solve for d: 36 = 13d - d2
d2 -13d + 36 = 0
d = 13 +/- sqrt( 169 - 144) /2
= 13+2.5 or 13 - 2.5 feet.
Since the total length of c = 13 feet, the solution is
that d= 10.5 feet. e= 2.5 feet.
Additional Problems
1 Show that the area of an isosceles right triangle is
1/4th of square of its hypotenuse.
Hint: Use a square and its diagonal for the proof.

Note: Pass on your comments to
nenmelisrinivasan@gmail.com
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Right Triangle --some interesting results

[beyond Pythagorean Theorem]