Fagnano's problem explained

In geometry, Fagnano's problem is an optimization problem that was first stated by Giovanni Fagnano in 1775:The solution is the orthic triangle, with vertices at the base points of the altitudes of the given triangle.

Solution

The orthic triangle, with vertices at the base points of the altitudes of the given triangle, has the smallest perimeter of all triangles inscribed into an acute triangle, hence it is the solution of Fagnano's problem. Fagnano's original proof used calculus methods and an intermediate result given by his father Giulio Carlo de' Toschi di Fagnano. Later however several geometric proofs were discovered as well, amongst others by Hermann Schwarz and Lipót Fejér. These proofs use the geometrical properties of reflections to determine some minimal path representing the perimeter.

Physical principles

A solution from physics is found by imagining putting a rubber band that follows Hooke's Law around the three sides of a triangular frame

ABC , such that it could slide around smoothly. Then the rubber band would end up in a position that minimizes its elastic energy, and therefore minimize its total length. This position gives the minimal perimeter triangle.The tension inside the rubber band is the same everywhere in the rubber band, so in its resting position, we have, by Lami's theorem, \angle bcA = \angle acB, \angle caB = \angle baC, \angle abC = \angle cbA Therefore, this minimal triangle is the orthic triangle.

See also

• Set TSP problem, a more general task of visiting each of a family of sets by the shortest tour

References

• Heinrich Dörrie: 100 Great Problems of Elementary Mathematics: Their History and Solution. Dover Publications 1965, p. 359-360., problem 90 (restricted online version (Google Books))
• Paul J. Nahin

When Least is Best: How Mathematicians Discovered Many Clever Ways to Make Things as Small (or as Large) as Possible. Princeton University Press 2004,, p. 67

• Coxeter, H. S. M.

Greitzer, S. L.:Geometry Revisited. Washington, DC: Math. Assoc. Amer. 1967, pp. 88–89.

• H.A. Schwarz

Gesammelte Mathematische Abhandlungen, vol. 2. Berlin 1890, pp. 344-345. (online at the Internet Archive, German)

External links

• Fagnano's problem at cut-the-knot
• Fagnano's problem in the Encyclopaedia of Mathematics
• Fagnano's problem at a website for triangle geometry