ETC Extra
ETC Extra
1 Introduction
Long ago, someone drew a triangle and three segments across it. Each segment started at a vertex
and stopped at the midpoint of the opposite side. The segments met in a point. The person was
impressed and repeated the experiment on a different shape of triangle. Again the segments met
in a point. The person drew yet a third triangle, very carefully, with the same result. He told his
friends. To their surprise and delight, the coincidence worked for them, too. Word spread, and the
magic of the three segments was regarded as the work of a higher power. Centuries passed, and
someone proved that the three medians do indeed concur in a point, now called the centroid. The
ancients found other points, too, now called the incenter, circumcenter, and orthocenter. More
centuries passed, more special points were discovered, and a definition of triangle center emerged.
Like the definition of continuous function, this definition is satisfied by infinitely many objects,
of which only finitely many will ever be published. The Encyclopedia of Triangle Centers (ETC)
extends a list of 400 triangle centers published in the 1998 book Triangle Centers and Central
Triangles. For subsequent developments, click Links (one of the buttons atop this page). In
particular, Eric Weisstein’s MathWorld, covers much of classical and modern triangle geometry,
including sketches and references.
A site in which triangle centers play a central role is Bernard Gibert’s Cubics in the Triangle
Plane. Special points and properties of 4-sided plane figures are closely associated with triangle
centers; see Chris van Tienhoven’s Encyclopedia of Quadri-Figures (EQF).
x = hx0 , y = hy 0 , z = hz 0 , (1)
where x0 , y 0 , z 0 denote the directed distances from P to sidelines BC, CA, AB. Likewise, u : v : w
are barycentrics if there is a function k of (a, b, c) such that
u = ku0 , v = kv 0 , w = kw0 ,
where u0 , v 0 , w0 denote the signed areas of triangles P BC, P CA, P AB. Both coordinate systems
are widely used; if trilinears for a point are x : y : z, then barycentrics are ax : by : cz.
In order that every center should have its own name, in cases where no particular name arises from
geometrical or historical considerations, the name of a star is used instead. For example, X(770)
is POINT ACAMAR. For a list of star names, visit SkyEye - (Un)Common Star Names.
5 Shinagawa coefficients
Introduced on March 21, 2015: Shinagawa coefficients for triangle centers on the Euler line.
Suppose that X is a triangle center given by barycentric coordinates f (a, b, c) : f (b, c, a) : f (c, a, b).
The Shinagawa coefficients of X are the functions G(a, b, c) and H(a, b, c) such that f (a, b, c) =
G(a, b, c) ∗ S 2 + H(a, b, c) ∗ SB SC .
For many choices of X, G(a, b, c) and H(a, b, c) are conveniently expressed in terms of the following:
E = (SB + SC )(SC + SA )(SA + SB )/S 2 , so that E = (abc/S)2 = 4R2
F = SA SB SC /S 2 , so that F = (a2 + b2 + c2 )/2 − 4R2 = Sω − 4R2
Examples:
X(2) has Shinagawa coefficients (1, 0); i.e., X(2) = 1 ∗ S 2 + 0 ∗ SB SC
A cyclic sum notation, ..., is introduced here especially for use with Shinagawa coefficients. For
example, aSB SC abbreviates aSB SC + bSC SA + cSA SB .
4R2 − 36|GO|2
F =
8
and
R2 (1 − J 2 )
F = ,
2
where J = |OH|/R.
6 Combos
Introduced on November 1, 2011: Combos Suppose that P and U are finite points having nor-
malized barycentric coordinates (p, q, r) and (u, v, w). (Normalized means that p + q + r = 1 and
u + v + w = 1.) Suppose that f = f (a, b, c) and g = g(a, b, c) are nonzero homogeneous functions
having the same degree of homogeneity. Let x = f p + gu, y = f q + gv, z = f r + gw. The (f, g)
combo of P and U , denoted by f ∗ P + g ∗ U , is introduced here as the point X = x : y : z (homo-
geneous barycentric coordinates); the normalized barycentric coordinates of X are (kx, ky, kz),
where k = 1/(x + y + z).
Note 1. If P and U are given by normalized trilinear coordinates (instead of barycentric), then
f ∗ P + g ∗ U has homogeneous trilinears f p + gu : f q + gv : f r + gw, which is symbolically identical
to the homogenous barycentrics for f ∗ P + g ∗ U . The normalized trilinear coordinates for X are
(hx, hy, hz), where h = 2[ABC]/(ax + by + cz).
Note 2. The definition of combo readily extends to finite sets of finite points. In particular, the
(f, g, h) combo of P = (p, q, r), U = (u, v, w), J = (j, k, m) is given by f p + gu + hj : f q + gv + hk :
f r + gw + hm and denoted by f ∗ P + g ∗ U + h ∗ J.
Note 3. f ∗ P + g ∗ U is collinear with P and U , and its {P, Q}-harmonic conjugate is
f p − gu : f q − gv : f r − gw.
Note 4. Suppose that f, g, h are homogeneous symmetric functions all of the same degree of
homogeneity, and suppose that X, X 0 , X 00 are triangle centers. Then f ∗ X + g ∗ X 0 + h ∗ X 00 is a
triangle center.
Note 5. Suppose that X, X 0 , X 00 , X 000 are triangle centers and X 0 , X 00 , X 000 are not collinear.
Then there exist f, g, h as in Note 4 such that X = f ∗ X 0 + g ∗ X 00 + h ∗ X 000 . That is, loosely
speaking, every triangle center is a linear combination of any other three noncollinear triangle
centers.
Note 6. Continuing from Note 5, examples of f, g, h are conveniently given using Conway sym-
bols for a triangle ABC with sidelengths a, b, c. Conway symbols and certain classical symbols
are identified here:
S = 2[ABC]
SA = (b2 + c2 − a2 )/2 = bc cos A
SB = (c2 + a2 − b2 )/2 = ca cos B
SC = (a2 + b2 − c2 )/2 = ab cos C
Sω = S cot ω
s = (a + b + c)/2
SA = (b + c − a)/2
SB = (c + a − b)/2
SC = (a + b − c)/2
r = inradius = S/(a + b + c)
R = circumradius = abc/(2S)
cot(ω) = (a2 + b2 + c2 )/(2S), where ω is the Brocard angle
Note 7. The definition of combo along with many examples were developed by Peter Moses prior
to November 1, 2011. After that combos have been further developed by Peter Moses, Randy
Hutson, and Clark Kimberling.
Mappings Λ and Ψ derived from such a point P for application to points X, are defined here:
Λ(P, X) = isogonal conjugate of the point where line P X meets the line at infinity.
Let Y = Λ(P, X), let Q = isogonal conjugate of P , and let Y and Z be the points where
line Y Q meets the circumcircle; then Ψ(P, X) = Z.
• Centers 113-139 lie on the nine-point circle. Suppose that X is a point on the nine-point
circle, and let X 0 be the reflection of X in the orthocenter, H. Then X is the anticenter of
the cyclic quadrilateral ABCX 0 . Let HA be the orthocenter of triangle BCX, Let HB be the
orthocenter of CAX, and let HC be the orthocenter of triangle ABX. Then the quadrilateral
HHA HB HC is homothetic to and congruent to the cyclic quadrilateral ABCX 0 , and X is
the center of homothety. (Randy Hutson, 9/23/2011)
• 113-127, 140-143: centers of the medial triangle
• 128-139: centers of the orthic triangle
• 144-153: centers of the anticomplementary triangle
• 154-157, 159-163: centers of the tangential triangle
• 164-170: centers of the excentral triangle
• Centers 191-236 are Ceva conjugates. The P -Ceva conjugate of Q is the perspector of the
cevian triangle of P and the anticevian triangle of Q.
• Centers 237-248 are line conjugates. The P -line conjugate of Q is the point where line P Q
meets the trilinear polar of the isogonal conjugate of Q.
• Centers 249-297 are isogonal conjugates of previously listed centers.
• Centers 298-350 are isotomic conjugates of previously listed centers.
• Centers 401-475, 2-4, 20-30, 376, 379, 381-384 (and others) lie on the Euler line.
• Centers 485-495, 371, and 372: Triangle centers associated with squares.
• Centers 503-510, 173, 174, 258, and 351-364 are associated with isoscelizers.
Each center, X(503) to X(510), is defined by Peter Yff as the point X of concurrence of
isoscelers satisfying certain conditions. Geometer’s Sketchpad sketches for centers X(503) −
X(510) were contributed by Peter Moses, May 7, 2005.
L(A, X) = the A-isoscelizer passing through X
E(A, X) = L(A, X) ∩ AC
F (A, X) = L(A, X) ∩ AB
T (A, X) = the triangle with vertices A, E(A, X), F (A, X)
H(A, X) = A-altitude of T (A, X)
D(A, X) = distance between E(A, X) and F (A, X)
X(A) = distance between E(A, X) and F (A, X)
Thus, a collection of collinearities reported for each of these centers comprises a family of
parallel lines.
• Centers 527-565 give the direction of vector AX + BX + CX for suitable X. Were added
to ETC on 1/1/01.
• Centers 566-584 are on the Brocard axis, L(3, 6). Each is the center X of a circle meeting
the sides of triangle ABC with three equal angles at X. Let AB, AC, BC, BA, CA, CB
denote the meeting-points; e.g., AB and CB are on side CA. The equal angles are given by
Y is the harmonic of X if X and Y are harmonic conjugates with respect to X(3) and X(6);
The centers in this section were contributed by Edward Brisse, December, 2000.
Notation:
b 2 + c 2 − a2 c 2 + a2 − b 2 a2 + b 2 − c 2
SA = , SB = ; SC =
2 2 2
Joe Goggins (Oct. 19, 2005) found trilinears for points in this section, using the following
notation. Let
π π π
F (13) = a csc A + 3
+ b csc B + 3
+ c csc C + 3
π π π
F (14) = a csc A − 3
+ b csc B − 3
+ c csc C − 3
These are based on trilinears for the isogonic centers, X(13) and X(14). In like manner,
F (I) is defined for I = 15, 16, 17, 18, 61, 62.
π π π
X(616) = F (13)/a − 2 csc A + 3
: F (13)/b − 2 csc B + 3
: F (13)/c − 2 csc C + 3
π π π
X(617) = F (14)/a − 2 csc A − 3
: F (14)/b − 2 csc B − 3
: F (14)/c − 2 csc C − 3
Trilinears of this sort are given below at X(i) for I = 616−619, 621−624, 627−630, 633−636.
Let A0 B 0 C 0 be the cevian triangle of a point P , and let A00 , B 00 , C 00 be the respective
intersections of lines P A, P B, P C with the circumcircle of triangle ABC. Let
U = B 0 C 00 ∩ B 00 C 0 V = C 0 A00 ∩ C 00 A0 W = A0 B 00 ∩ A00 B 0 .
These concurrences were presented by Darij Grinberg (Hyacinthos #6531, February 14,
2003), with coordinates as follows. Let P = x : y : z (trilinears), and abbreviate the 1st,
2nd, and 3rd Saragossa points as Q, Q0 , Q00 , respectively; then first trilinears are
The name Saragossa refers to the king who proved Ceva’s theorem before Ceva did. See
J. B. Hogendijk, Al-Mu’taman ibn Hud, 11th century king of Saragossa and brilliant math-
ematician, Historia Mathematica, 22 (1995) 1-18.
The points P , Q0 , Q00 are collinear.
The 1st Saragossa point of X(i) is X(j) for these (i, j): (1,58),(2,251),(3,4),(4,54),
(6,6),(19,284),(21,961),(24,847),(25,2),(28,943),(31,81),(32,83),(51,288),(55,57),(56,1),
(58,1126),(64,3),(84,947),(154,1073),(184,275),(198,282),(512,249),(513,59),(667,1016),
(939,937),(1036,959).
The 2nd Saragossa point of X(i) is X(j) for these (i, j): (1,386),(6,6)
The 3rd Saragossa point of X(i) is X(j) for these (i, j): (3,185),(4,389),(6,6)
It was further discussed by Floor van Lamoen and Darij Grinberg, and coordinates were
found by Barry Wolk; see Hyacinthos #4547, #4548, #6469, #6538, #6546, #6560. Paul
Yiu noted that T (P ) is the point, other than A, B, C, in which the circumconic centered
at P meets the circumcircle of triangle ABC (#4548).
1
f (a, b, c) =
bz(ax + by − cz) − cy(ax + cz − by)
For given Q, the set of points P satisfying T (P ) = Q is a conic. Examples follow:
if Q = X(99), the conic passes through X(i) for i = 2, 39, 114, 618, 619, 629, 630, 641, 642, 1125;
if Q = X(100), the conic passes through X(i) for i = 1, 9, 10, 119, 142, 214, 442, 1145;
if Q = X(107), the conic passes through X(i) for i = 4, 133, 800, 1249;
if Q = X(110), the conic passes through X(i) for i = 5, 6, 113, 141, 206, 942, 960, 1147, 1209;
Suppose that P is a point on the circumcircle of triangle ABC. Let U and V be the lines
through P tangent to the incircle. Line U meets Γ in a point U 0 other than P , and line V
meets Γ in a point V 0 other than P . The line U 0 V 0 is tangent to the incircle. The touchpoint,
denoted by T (P ), is the Brisse transform of P . Suppose P is given by barycentrics u : v : w.
Barycentrics for T (P ) are found in Edward Brisse, Perspective Poristic Triangles:
a4 b4 c4
: :
(b + c − a)u2 (c + a − b)v 2 (a + b − c)w2
a b c
: :
(b + c − a)x (c + a − b)y (a + b − c)z 2
2 2
Examples:
Still open is the question posed in Hyacinthos #6832: to list all polynomial centers on
the incircle having low degree and to prove that there are no others. Here, degree of
X = p(a, b, c) : p(b, c, a) : p(c, a, b) (barycentrics) refers to the degree of homogeneity of
p(a, b, c), and low means less than 6. (The Feuerbach point, X(11), has degree 3.)
In Hyacinthos #6835, Paul Yiu gives two methods for constructing polynomial centers
on the incircle:
(1) If X is a polynomial center on the incircle and W is any other polynomial center, then
the line XW meets the incircle in another point that is a polynomial center.
(2) If W is on the line at infinity, then the barycentric square W 2 is on the Steiner inscribed
ellipse, and the barycentric product X(7) · W 2 is on the incircle.
• Beth Conjugates 1393-1477
a b c
u:v:w= : : ,
b+c−a c+a−b a+b−c
or equivalently,
u : v : w = 1 − cos A : 1 − cos B : 1 − cos C
Following is a list of pairs (i, j) for which X(i) = X(j)-beth conjugate of X(j):
• Orthojoins 1512-1568
Suppose X is not X(2) and does not lie on a sideline of triangle ABC. The crossdifference
of X and X(2) has first trilinear a(b − c)x0 , where x0 = (by − cz)/(b − c).
Let X −1 denote the isogonal conjugate of X. Then
In other words, if X lies on a line P G through the centroid G, then H (X −1 ) lies on the line
HQ, where H denotes the orthocenter and Q is a point that can be determined from the
above formula. Examples:
If X is on the Euler line, L(2, 3), then H (X −1 ) is on the line L(4,6);
If X is on L(2,6,), then H (X −1 ) is on the Euler line;
If X is on L(1,2), then H (X −1 ) is on L(4, 9);
If X is on L(2,7), then H (X −1 ) is on L(1, 4).
If X lies on the line L(230,231), then H(X) lies on the nine-point circle. Examples:
H(X(230)) = X(114),
H(X(231)) = X(128),
H(X(232)) = X(132),
H(X(468)) = X(1560),
H(X(523)) = X(115),
H(X(647)) = X(125),
H(X(650)) = X(11)