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Power of a Point Theorem Proof

This document summarizes 5 proofs of the Pythagorean theorem: 1) Proof #43 applies the Power of a Point theorem to derive the formula (c - b)(c + b) = a^2. 2) Proof #44 is based on a diagram involving similar triangles to derive the formula b/(c - a) = (c + a)/b. 3) Proof #45 is a variation of previous proofs that uses a Liu Hui identity to rearrange pieces and supply a "proof without words" of the Pythagorean theorem. 4) Additional context is provided for Proofs #43 and #44. 5) The document discusses how one of the proofs relates

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Deni Montero Holgado
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50 views5 pages

Power of a Point Theorem Proof

This document summarizes 5 proofs of the Pythagorean theorem: 1) Proof #43 applies the Power of a Point theorem to derive the formula (c - b)(c + b) = a^2. 2) Proof #44 is based on a diagram involving similar triangles to derive the formula b/(c - a) = (c + a)/b. 3) Proof #45 is a variation of previous proofs that uses a Liu Hui identity to rearrange pieces and supply a "proof without words" of the Pythagorean theorem. 4) Additional context is provided for Proofs #43 and #44. 5) The document discusses how one of the proofs relates

Uploaded by

Deni Montero Holgado
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Proof #43

By Larry Hoehn [Pritchard, p. 229, and Math Gazette].

Apply the Power of a Point theorem to the diagram above where the
side a serves as a tangent to a circle of radius b: (c - b)(c + b) =
a². The result follows immediately.

(The configuration here is essentially the same as in proof #39. The


invocation of the Power of a Point theorem may be regarded as a
shortcut to the argument in proof #39. Also, this is exactly proof XVI
by B. F. Yanney and J. A. Calderhead, Am Math Monthly, v.3, n. 12
(1896), 299-300.)

John Molokach suggested a modification based on the following


diagram:
From the similarity of triangles, a/b = (b + c)/d, so that d = b(b +
c)/a. The quadrilateral on the left is a kite with sides b and d and
area 2bd/2 = bd. Adding to this the area of the small triangle (ab/2)
we obtain the area of the big triangle - (b + c)d/2:

bd + ab/2 = (b + c)d/2

which simplifies to

ab/2 = (c - b)d/2, or ab = (c - b)d.

Now using the formula for d:

ab = (c - b)d = (c - b)(c + b)b/a.

Dividing by b and multiplying by a gives a² = c² - b². This variant


comes very close to Proof #82, but with a different motivation.

Finally, the argument shows that the area of an annulus


(ring) bounded by circles of radii b and c > b;is exactly πa² where a² =
c² - b². a is a half length of the tangent to the inner circle enclosed
within the outer circle.

Proof #44
The following proof related to #39, have been submitted by Adam
Rose (Sept. 23, 2004.)

Start with two identical right triangles: ABC and AFE, A the
intersection of BE and CF. Mark D on AB and G on extension of AF,
such that

BC = BD = FG (= EF).

(For further notations refer to the above diagram.) ΔBCD is isosceles.


Therefore, ∠BCD = π/2 - α/[Link] angle C is right,

∠ACD = π/2 - (π/2 - α/2) = α/2.

Since ∠AFE is exterior to ΔEFG, ∠AFE = ∠FEG + ∠FGE. But ΔEFG is


also isosceles. Thus

∠AGE = ∠FGE = α/2.


We now have two lines, CD and EG, crossed by CG with two alternate
interior angles, ACD and AGE, equal. Therefore, CD||EG. Triangles
ACD and AGE are similar, and AD/AC = AE/AG:

b/(c - a) = (c + a)/b,

and the Pythagorean theorem follows.

Proof #45

This proof is due to Douglas Rogers who came upon it in the course of
his investigation into the history of Chinese mathematics.

The proof is a variation on #33, #34, and #42. The proof proceeds in
two steps. First, as it may be observed from

a Liu Hui identity (see also Mathematics in China)

a + b = c + d,
where d is the diameter of the circle inscribed into a right triangle
with sides a and b and hypotenuse c. Based on that and rearranging
the pieces in two ways supplies another proof without words of the
Pythagorean theorem:

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