14 - Infinite Kepler Triangles
14 - Infinite Kepler Triangles
14 - Infinite Kepler Triangles
Student Corner
kϕ
k
E
F
B √ C B C
k ϕ D
That is, each side is divided in the ‘golden section’ Consider △CED first. Noting that C is shared
(see Appendix for details). See Figure 2. The by the two triangles, we must prove that
question now is: What can be said about the four △CED ∼ △CBA. For this we must prove that
triangles thus created: △DEF, △AFE, △BDF, CE CD
△CED? In general, this process can be continued = , i.e., CE · CA = CD · CB.
CB CA
to get more nested triangles; what can be said
about them? Now observe that
Let BF = x, AF = ϕx; BD = y, DC = ϕy; CE · CA = z · z(1 + ϕ) = z2 · (1 + ϕ),
CE = z, AE = ϕz for some x, y, z. Then:
CD · CB = yϕ · y(1 + ϕ) = y2 · ϕ · (1 + ϕ).
k √
x(ϕ + 1) = k, ∴ x= . (2) Equality follows since z = y ϕ. It follows that
ϕ+1 △CED is a Kepler triangle.
Similarly: To show that △DEF is a Kepler triangle, we only
have to note that DFEC is a parallelogram, hence
√
√ k ϕ △DEF is congruent to △EDC; therefore △DEF
y(ϕ + 1) = k ϕ, ∴ y= , (3)
ϕ+1 too is a Kepler triangle.
Figure 3.
References
1. Marcus Bizony, “The Golden Ratio, Unexpectedly” from
https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/SitePages/resources-ara-march-2017-the-golden-ratio-unexpectedly.aspx
2. H.E Huntley, “The Divine Proportion” from
https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/The_Divine_Proportion/YSXUAAAAQBAJ?hl=en&kptab=getbook
3. Wikipedia, “Kepler triangle” from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kepler_triangle
PRANAV VERMA is a student of class 12, Kensri School, Bangalore. He enjoys solving mathematical puzzles
and painting watercolor landscapes. He recently held an art exhibition at the Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore.
Reading is another hobby; he particularly likes reading books written by Satyajit Ray. He may be contacted at
adityapranav2016@gmail.com.