Kiepert conics explained

In triangle geometry, the Kiepert conics are two special conics associated with the reference triangle. One of them is a hyperbola, called the Kiepert hyperbola and the other is a parabola, called the Kiepert parabola. The Kiepert conics are defined as follows:

If the three triangles

, and , constructed on the sides of a triangle as bases, are similar, isosceles and similarly situated, then the triangles and are in perspective. As the base angle of the isosceles triangles varies between and , the locus of the center of perspectivity of the triangles and is a hyperbola called the Kiepert hyperbola and the envelope of their axis of perspectivity is a parabola called the Kiepert parabola.

It has been proved that the Kiepert hyperbola is the hyperbola passing through the vertices, the centroid and the orthocenter of the reference triangle and the Kiepert parabola is the parabola inscribed in the reference triangle having the Euler line as directrix and the triangle center X₁₁₀ as focus.^[1] The following quote from a paper by R. H. Eddy and R. Fritsch is enough testimony to establish the importance of the Kiepert conics in the study of triangle geometry:^[2]

"If a visitor from Mars desired to learn the geometry of the triangle but could stay in the earth's relatively dense atmosphere only long enough for a single lesson, earthling mathematicians would, no doubt, be hard-pressed to meet this request. In this paper, we believe that we have an optimum solution to the problem. The Kiepert conics ...."

Kiepert hyperbola

The Kiepert hyperbola was discovered by Ludvig Kiepert while investigating the solution of the following problem proposed by Emile Lemoine in 1868: "Construct a triangle, given the peaks of the equilateral triangles constructed on the sides." A solution to the problem was published by Ludvig Kiepert in 1869 and the solution contained a remark which effectively stated the locus definition of the Kiepert hyperbola alluded to earlier.^[2]

Basic facts

Let

be the side lengths and the vertex angles of the reference triangle .

Equation

The equation of the Kiepert hyperbola in barycentric coordinates

is

Center, asymptotes

• The centre of the Kiepert hyperbola is the triangle center X(115). The barycentric coordinates of the center are

.

• The asymptotes of the Kiepert hyperbola are the Simson lines of the intersections of the Brocard axis with the circumcircle.
• The Kiepert hyperbola is a rectangular hyperbola and hence its eccentricity is

.

Properties

1. The center of the Kiepert hyperbola lies on the nine-point circle. The center is the midpoint of the line segment joining the isogonic centers of triangle

which are the triangle centers X(13) and X(14) in the Encyclopedia of Triangle Centers.

1. The image of the Kiepert hyperbola under the isogonal transformation is the Brocard axis of triangle

which is the line joining the symmedian point and the circumcenter.

1. Let

be a point in the plane of a nonequilateral triangle and let be the trilinear polar of with respect to . The locus of the points such that is perpendicular to the Euler line of is the Kiepert hyperbola.

1. Let be a triangle with is the first (or second) Fermat point, let be arbitrary point on the Kiepert hyperbola. Let be arbitrary point on line . The line through and perpendicular to meets at A₀. Define B₀, C₀ cyclically, then A₀B₀C₀ is an equilateral triangle.^[3]

Kiepert parabola

The Kiepert parabola was first studied in 1888 by a German mathematics teacher Augustus Artzt in a "school program".^{[2] [4]}

Basic facts

• The equation of the Kiepert parabola in barycentric coordinates

is
where
.

• The focus of the Kiepert parabola is the triangle center X(110). The barycentric coordinates of the focus are

• The directrix of the Kiepert parabola is the Euler line of triangle

.

See also

• Triangle conic
• Modern triangle geometry

External links

• Web site: Weisstein, Eric W. . Kiepert Hyperbola . MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. . 5 February 2022.
• Web site: Weisstein, Eric W. . Kiepert Parabola . MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. . 5 February 2022.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kimberling, C. . X(110)=Focus of Kiepert Parabola . Encyclopedia of Triangle Centers . 4 February 2022.
2. Eddy . R. H. . Fritsch . R. . The Conics of Ludwig Kiepert: A Comprehensive Lesson in the Geometry of the Triangle . Math. Mag. . 1994 . 67 . 3 . 188–205. 10.1080/0025570X.1994.11996212 .
3. https://geometry-math-journal.ro/pdf/Volume7-Issue2/5.pdf Dao Thanh Oai (2018), "Some new equilateral triangles in a plane geometry." Global J Adv Res Classical Mod Geometries Vol 7, Isue 2, pages 73-91.
4. Sharp, J. . Artzt parabolas of a triangle . The Mathematical Gazette . 2015 . 99 . 546 . 444–463 . 10.1017/mag.2015.81. 123814409 .