Forum Geometricorum

Volume 14 (2014) 63–86.

FORUM GEOM
ISSN 1534-1178

The Touchpoints Triangles and the Feuerbach Hyperbolas

Sándor N. Kiss and Paul Yiu

Abstract. In this paper we generalize the famous Kariya theorem on the per-
spectivity of a given triangle with the homothetic images of the intouch triangle
from the incenter to the touchpoints triangles of the excircles, leading to the triad
of ex-Feuerbach hyperbolas. We also study in some details the triangle formed
by the orthocenters of the touchpoints triangles. An elegant construction is given
for the asymptotes of the Feuerbach hyperbolas.

1. Introduction
Consider a triangle ABC with incircle I(r) tangent to the sides BC, CA, AB
at X, Y , Z respectively. These form the intouch triangle Ti ofABC.  For a real
t
number t, let Ti (t) be the image of the Ti under the homothety h I, r . Its vertices
are the points X(t), Y (t), Z(t) on the lines IX, IY , IZ respectively, such that

IX(t) = IY (t) = IZ(t) = t.

The famous Kariya’s theorem asserts that the lines AX(t), BY (t), CY (t) are con-
current, i.e., the triangles ABC and Ti (t) are perspective, and that the perspector
is a point Q(t) on the Feuerbach hyperbola F , the rectangular circum-hyperbola
which is the isogonal conjugate of the line OI joining the circumcenter and the in-
center of ABC. This fact was actually known earlier to J. Neuberg and H. Mandart;
see [5] and the interesting note in [2, §1242]. We revisit in §3 this theorem with a
proof leading to simple relations of the perspectors Q(t) and Q(−t) (Proposition
4 below), and their isogonal conjugates on the line OI. In §5 we obtain analo-
gous results by replacing Ti (t) by homothetic images of the touchpoints triangles
of the excircles, leading to the triad of ex-Feuerbach hyperbolas. Some properties
of the triad of ex-Feuerbach hyperbolas are established in §§7–10. Specifically,
we give an elegant construction of the asymptotes of the Feuerbach hyperbolas in
§10. The final section §11 is devoted to further properties of the touchpoints trian-
gles, in particular, the loci of perspectors of the triangle H a H b H c formed by their
orthocenters.

Publication Date: March 11, 2014. Communicating Editor: Nikolaos Dergiades.

We thank Nikolas Dergiades for suggestions leading to improvements over an earlier version of
this paper.
64 S. N. Kiss and P. Yiu

2. Generalization of Kariya’s theorem

Let a, b, c be the sidelengths of triangle ABC, s = 12 (a + b + c) the semiperime-
ter, and Δ the area of the triangle. It is well known that
(i) Δ = rs,
(ii) abc = 4RΔ for the circumradius R, and
(iii) 16Δ2 = a2 (b2 + c2 − a2 ) + b2 (c2 + a2 − b2 ) + c2 (a2 + b2 − c2 ).
We shall work with homogeneous barycentric coordinates with reference to tri-
angle ABC, and refer to [7] for basic results and formulas.
Let T be the pedal triangle of a point P = (u : v : w) in homogeneous barycen-
tric coordinates. The vertices of T are the points
X = (0 : (a2 + b2 − c2 )u + 2a2 v : (c2 + a2 − b2 )u + 2a2 w),
Y = ((a2 + b2 − c2 )v + 2b2 u : 0 : (b2 + c2 − a2 )v + 2b2 w),
Z = ((c2 + a2 − b2 )w + 2c2 u : (b2 + c2 − a2 )w + 2c2 v : 0).
For a real number k, let Tk be the image of T under the homothety h(P, k).
Lemma 1. The vertices of Tk are the points
Xk = (2a2 (1 − k)u : (a2 + b2 − c2 )ku + 2a2 v : (c2 + a2 − b2 )ku + 2a2 w), (1)
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Yk = ((a + b − c )kv + 2b u : 2b (1 − k)v : (b + c − a )kv + 2b w), (2)
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Zk = ((c + a − b )kw + 2c u : (b + c − a )kw + 2c v : 2c (1 − k)w). (3)
Proof. The point Xk divides the segment P X in the ratio P Xk : Xk X = k : 1−k.
In absolute barycentric coordinates,
Xk = (1 − k)P + kX
(1 − k)(u, v, w) k(0, (a2 + b2 − c2 )u + 2a2 v, (c2 + a2 − b2 )u + 2a2 w)
= +
u+v+w 2a2 (u + v + w)
(2a2 (1 − k)u, (a2 + b2 − c2 )ku + 2a2 v, (c2 + a2 − b2 )ku + 2a2 w)
= .
2a2 (u + v + w)
Ignoring the denominator, we obtain the homogeneous barycentric coordinates of
Xk given above; similarly for Yk and Zk . 
Proposition 2. The only points that satisfy Kariya’s theorem, as the incenter I
does, are the orthocenter H, the circumcenter O, and the three excenters Ia , Ib , Ic .
Proof. The equations of the lines AXk , BYk , CZk are
((c2 + a2 − b2 )ku + 2a2 w)y − ((a2 + b2 − c2 )ku + 2a2 v)z = 0,
−((b2 + c2 − a2 )kv + 2b2 w)x + ((a2 + b2 − c2 )kv + 2b2 u)z = 0,
((b2 + c2 − a2 )kw + 2c2 v)x − ((c2 + a2 − b2 )kw + 2c2 u)y = 0.
They are concurrent if and only if
 
 0 (c2 + a2 − b2 )ku + 2a2 w −((a2 + b2 − c2 )ku + 2a2 v)

−(b2 + c2 − a2 )kv + 2b2 w) 0 (a2 + b2 − c2 )kv + 2b2 u  = 0.
 2
 (b + c2 − a2 )kw + 2c2 v −((c2 + a2 − b2 )kw + 2c2 u) 0 
The touchpoints triangles and the Feuerbach hyperbolas 65

Equivalently, 2F1 (P ) · k − F2 (P ) = 0 for every k, where


F1 (P ) = a2 (b2 + c2 − a2 )u(c2 v 2 − b2 w2 ),
cyclic

F2 (P ) = (c2 + a2 − b2 )(a2 + b2 − c2 )u(c2 v 2 − b2 w2 ).
cyclic

This means that F1 (P ) = F2 (P ) = 0. The point P is common to the McCay

cubic pK(X(6), X(3)), and the orthocubics pK(X(6), X(4)). These appear in
[3] as K003 and K006 respectively. It is known that the common points of these
circumcubics are the vertices of ABC and the points H, O, I, Ia , Ib , Ic , as can be
readily verified. 

The case P = H is trivial because the perspector is H for every k.

The case P = O is also trivial because the triangle Tk is homothetic to ABC,
and the perspector is obviously the point Qk on the Euler line dividing OH in the
ratio k : 2. This follows from

OQk : Qk H = OX(k) : HA = k : 2.

Z Y
O
Qk

Xk
H

B X C

Figure 1

In the remainder of this paper, we study the cases when P is the incenter or an
excenter.
66 S. N. Kiss and P. Yiu

3. Kariya’s theorem and the Feuerbach hyperbola

The pedal triangle of the incenter I = (a : b : c) has vertices
X = (0 : a + b − c : c + a − b),
Y = (a + b − c : 0 : b + c − a),
Z = (c + a − b : b + c − a : 0).

The coordinates of X(t), Y (t), Z(t) can be determined from equations (1), (2), (3)
by putting k = rt .
Proposition 3. The lines AX(t), BY (t), CZ(t) are concurrent at the point
 
1 1 1
Q(t) = : : ,
2rbc + t(b2 + c2 − a2 ) 2rca + t(c2 + a2 − b2 ) 2rab + t(a2 + b2 − c2 )
(4)
which is the isogonal conjugate of the point P (t) dividing OI in the ratio
OP (t) : P (t)I = R : t.
Proof. Writing the homogeneous barycentric coordinates of X(t), Y (t), Z(t) as
 
1 1
X(t) = ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ : : ,
2rca + t(c2 + a2 − b2 ) 2rab + t(a2 + b2 − c2 )
 
1 1
Y (t) = : ∗∗∗∗∗: ,
2rbc + t(b2 + c2 − a2 ) 2rab + t(a2 + b2 − c2 )
 
1 1
Z(t) = : :∗∗∗∗∗ ,
2rbc + t(b + c − a ) 2rca + t(c + a2 − b2 )
2 2 2 2

we note that the lines AX(t), BY (t), CZ(t) are concurrent at a point Q(t) with
coordinates given in (4) above. This is clearly the isogonal conjugate of the point
P (t) = (2rabc · a + ta2 (b2 + c2 − a2 ), 2rabc · b + tb2 (c2 + a2 − b2 ),
2rabc · c + tc2 (a2 + b2 − c2 ))
= 2rabc(a, b, c) + t((a2 (b2 + c2 − a2 ), b2 (c2 + a2 − b2 ), c2 (a2 + b2 − c2 ))
= 2r · 4Rrs(a + b + c) · I + t · 16Δ2 · O
= 16r2 s2 · R · I + 16Δ2 · t · O
= 16r2 s2 (R · I + t · O).
R·I+t·O
In absolute barycentric coordinates, P (t) = R+t . This is the point dividing OI
in the ratio OP (t) : P (t)I = R : t. 

It follows that the locus of the point Q(t) is the Feuerbach hyperbola F . The
center is the Feuerbach point Fe , the point of tangency of the incircle and the nine-
point circle (see Figure 2). Note that for each t, the points P (t) and P (−t) divide
OI harmonically.
The touchpoints triangles and the Feuerbach hyperbolas 67

A X(−t)
Q(−t)

Y (t)

Z(t) Y
Z Fe
P (−t) Hi
H I
O
Q(t)
P (t)
Z(−t)
B
X
Y (−t) C

X(t)

Figure 2.

Proposition 4. The line joining Q(t) and Q(−t) contains the triangle center
 
a(b + c) b(c + a) c(a + b)
Hi = : : . (5)
b+c−a c+a−b a+b−c
Proof. The line joining Q(t) to Q(−t) has equation

a(b − c)(b + c − a)(4b2 c2 r2 − t2 (b2 + c2 − a2 )2 )x = 0.
cyclic

With (x : y : z) given in (5) we have


a2 (b2 − c2 )(4b2 c2 r2 − t2 (b2 + c2 − a2 )2 )
cyclic
⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞
 
= 4a2 b2 c2 r2 ⎝ (b2 − c2 )⎠ − t2 ⎝ a2 (b2 − c2 )(b2 + c2 − a2 )2 ⎠
cyclic cyclic
= 0.
While the first sum obviously is zero, the second sum vanishes because the Euler
line

(b2 − c2 )(b2 + c2 − a2 )x = 0 (6)
cyclic

contains the circumcenter. 

68 S. N. Kiss and P. Yiu

Remark. The triangle center Hi is the orthocenter of the intouch triangle Ti ; it

appears as X(65) in [4]. It divides OI in the ratio R + r : −r. Its isogonal
conjugate is the Schiffler point
 
a(b + c − a) b(c + a − b) c(a + b − c)
Sc = : : , (7)
b+c c+a a+b
which is the point of concurrency of the Euler lines of the four triangles ABC,
IBC, ICA, and IAB. Therefore, Hi is a point on the Jerabek hyperbola J :
a2 (b2 − c2 )(b2 + c2 − a2 ) b2 (c2 − a2 )(c2 + a2 − b2 ) c2 (a2 − b2 )(a2 + b2 − c2 )
+ + = 0,
x y z
the isogonal conjugate of the Euler line.

4. The touchpoints triangles

Consider the A-excircle Ia (ra ) of triangle ABC, tangent to the sidelines BC at
Xa , CA at Ya , and AB at Za respectively. We call triangle Ta := Xa Ya Za the
A-touchpoints triangle. Clearly,
Δ
I a Xa = I a Y a = I a Za = ra = .
s−a
In homogeneous barycentric coordinates these are the points
Ia = (−a : b : c),
Xa = (0 : c + a − b : a + b − c),
Ya = (−(c + a − b) : 0 : a + b + c),
Za = (−(a + b − c) : a + b + c : 0).
Similarly, we also have the B-touchpoints triangle Tb := Xb Yb Zb from the B-
excircle Ib (rb ) and the C-touchpoints triangles Tc := Xc Yc Zc from the C-excircle
Ic (rc ) (see Figure 3).
Consider the reflection Ia of Ia in the line Ya Za . Since Ya Za is perpendicular
to the line AIa , Ia lies on AIa , and Ia Ia = 2ra sin A2 . On the other hand, Ia I,
being a diameter of the circle through I, B, Ia , C, has length sin Ba+ C = cosa A .
(2 2) 2
It follows that
A a a
Ia Ia : Ia I = 2ra sin : A
= ra : = ra : 2R = Ia Xa : Ia I  .
2 cos 2 sin A
Therefore, Xa Ia and I  I are parallel. Note that the midpoint of Xa Ia is the nine-
point center of Ta .
The same conclusions apply to the other two touchpoints triangles Tb := Xb Yb Zb
and Tc := Xc Yc Zc associated with the B- and C-excircles Ib (rb ) and Ic (rc ).
Corollary 5. (a) The Euler lines of the touchpoints triangles of the excircles are
concurrent at O.
(b) The nine-point centers of the touchpoints triangles form a triangle perspective
with the extouch triangle Xa Yb Zc at the infinite point of the OI line.
The touchpoints triangles and the Feuerbach hyperbolas 69
Yb

Ib
Yc

Ic
Zc
O I
I Zb

Xa

Xc B C Xb
Ia

Ya

Za

Ia

Figure 3.

Let H a be the orthocenter of Ta . Since the nine-point center Na is also the mid-
point of its circumcenter Ia and H a , we obtain, from the parallelogram H a Xa Ia Ia ,
H a = Xa + Ia − Ia
ra
= Xa + (I − Ia )
2R
2s(s − b)(s − c)
= Xa + (I − Ia )
abc  
(s − b)B + (s − c)C 2s(s − b)(s − c) aA + bB + cC −aA + bB + cC
= + −
a abc 2s 2(s − a)
(b + c)(s − b)(s − c) s(c − a)(s − b) s(a − b)(s − c)
= A+ B− C.
bc(s − a) ac(s − a) ab(s − a)

Proposition 6. In homogeneous barycentric coordinates, the orthocenters of the

touchpoints triangles are the points
 
a a(b + c) b(c − a) −c(a − b)
H = : : ,
a+b+c a+b−c c+a−b
 
b −a(b − c) b(c + a) c(a − b)
H = : : ,
a+b−c a+b+c b+c−a
 
a(b − c) −b(c − a) c(a + b)
Hc = : : .
c+a−b b+c−a a+b+c

Remark. The orthocenter H a of Ta divides OIa in the ratio R − ra : ra ; similarly

for H b and H c . These orthocenters lie on the Jerabek hyperbola J (see Figure 4).
70 S. N. Kiss and P. Yiu

Zb

Ib

Yc

A
Ha

Ic
Zc Hb
O Yb

Hc Hc
Hi
H Xa

Xc B Ha C Xb

Ya

Hb
Za

Ia

Figure 4.

Proposition 7. The triangle H a H b H c is perspective with the orthic triangle Ha Hb Hc

(of ABC) at Hi .

5. Kariya’s theorem for the A-touchpoints triangle

 
Consider the image of the A-touchpoints triangle Ta under the homothety h Ia , rta
for a real number t. This is the triangle Ta (t) with vertices Xa (t), Ya (t), Za (t) on
the lines Ia Xa , Ia Ya , Ia Za respectively, such that

Ia Xa (t) = Ia Ya (t) = Ia Za (t) = t.

t
These points can be determined from Lemma 1 by putting k = ra . In homoge-
neous barycentric coordinates, they are

Xa (t) = (2(ra − t)a2 : −2ra ab + t(a2 + b2 − c2 ) : −2ra ca + t(c2 + a2 − b2 )), (8)

Ya (t) = (−2ra ab + t(a2 + b2 − c2 ) : 2(ra − t)b2 : 2ra bc + t(b2 + c2 − a2 )), (9)
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Za (t) = (−2ra ca + t(c + a − b ) : 2ra bc + t(b + c − a ) : 2(ra − t)c ). (10)
The touchpoints triangles and the Feuerbach hyperbolas 71

Proposition 8. The lines AXa (t), BYa (t), CZa (t) are concurrent at the point

1 1
Qa (t) = :
2ra bc + t(b + c − a ) −2ra ca + t(c2 + a2 − b2 )
2 2 2

1
: , (11)
−2ra ab + t(a2 + b2 − c2 )
which is the isogonal conjugate of the point Pa (t) dividing OIa in the ratio
OPa (t) : Pa (t)Ia = R : −t.

Xa (t)
A

Ya (t)
N
H
B Fa Xa C
Za (t)

Qa (t)
Za Ya

Ia

Figure 5.

Proof. Rewrite the homogeneous barycentric coordinates of Xa (t), Ya (t), Za (t)

as follows:
 
1 1
Xa (t) = ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ : : ,
−2ra ca + t(c2 + a2 − b2 ) −2ra ab + t(a2 + b2 − c2 )
 
1 1
Ya (t) = 2 2 2
: ∗∗∗∗∗: ,
2ra bc + t(b + c − a ) −2ra ab + t(a2 + b2 − c2 )
 
1 1
Za (t) = : :∗∗∗∗∗ .
2ra bc + t(b2 + c2 − a2 ) −2ra ca + t(c2 + a2 − b2 )
It follows easily that the lines AXa (t), BYa (t), CZa (t) are concurrent at a point
with coordinates given in (11) above (see Figure 5). This is clearly the isogonal
72 S. N. Kiss and P. Yiu

conjugate of the point

Pa (t) = (a2 (2ra bc + t(b2 + c2 − a2 )), b2 (−2ra ca + t(c2 + a2 − b2 )),
c2 (−2ra ab + t(a2 + b2 − c2 )))
= −2ra abc(−a, b, c) + t((a2 (b2 + c2 − a2 ), b2 (c2 + a2 − b2 ), c2 (a2 + b2 − c2 ))
= −2ra · 4Rrs(b + c − a) · Ia + t · 16Δ2 · O
= −16rra s(s − a) · R · Ia + 16Δ2 · t · O
= −16Δ2 (R · Ia − t · O).
R·Ia −t·O
In absolute barycentric coordinates, Pa (t) = R−t . This is the point dividing
OIa in the ratio OPa (t) : Pa (t)Ia = R : −t. 
Proposition 9. The locus of the point Qa (t) is the rectangular circum-hyperbola
Fa : a(b − c)(a + b + c)yz + b(c + a)(a + b − c)zx − c(a + b)(c + a − b)xy = 0
with center
Fa = (−(b − c)2 (a + b + c) : (c + a)2 (a + b − c) : (a + b)2 (c + a − b)),
the point of tangency of the nine-point circle with the A-excircle.
Proof. By Proposition 8, the locus of Qa (t) is the isogonal conjugate of the line
OIa . It is a rectangular hyperbola since it contains the orthocenter H, the isogonal
conjugate of O. The center of the hyperbola is a point on the nine-point circle. The
equation of the line OIa is


2 2 x2 y z
a (b + c − a ) b (c + a − b ) c (a + b − c ) = 0.
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

−a b c
After simplification, this becomes
− bc(b − c)(a + b + c)(b + c − a)x
− ca(c + a)(a + b − c)(b + c − a)y
+ ab(a + b)(b + c − a)(c + a − b)z = 0.
Replacing (x, y, z) by (a2 yz, b2 zx, c2 xy) we obtain the equation of the hyper-
bola Fa given above. Since the center of the circumconic pyz + qzx + rxy = 0 is
the point
(p(q + r − p) : q(r + p − q) : r(p + q − r)) ,
with
p = bc(b − c)(a + b + c), q = ca(c + a)(a + b − c), r = −ab(a + b)(c + a − b),
we obtain the center of the hyperbola as the point
Fa = p(q + r − p) : q(r + p − q) : r(p + q − r)
= −2abc(b − c)2 (a + b + c) : 2abc(c + a)2 (a + b − c) : 2abc(a + b)2 (c + a − b)
= −(b − c)2 (a + b + c) : (c + a)2 (a + b − c) : (a + b)2 (c + a − b).
The touchpoints triangles and the Feuerbach hyperbolas 73

This is indeed a point on the line joining Ia to the nine-point center

N = (a2 (b2 +c2 )−(b2 −c2 )2 : b2 (c2 +a2 )−(c2 −a2 )2 : c2 (a2 +b2 )−(a2 −b2 )2 ).
(12)
It is routine to verify that
2abc(−a, b, c)
+ (a2 (b2 + c2 ) − (b2 − c2 )2 , b2 (c2 + a2 ) − (c2 − a2 )2 , c2 (a2 + b2 ) − (a2 − b2 )2 )
= (b + c − a)(−(b − c)2 (a + b + c), (c + a)2 (a + b − c), (a + b)2 (c + a − b)).
Since the coordinate sum in (12) is
2(2b2 c2 + 2c2 a2 + 2a2 b2 − a4 − b4 − c4 )
= 2(a + b + c)(b + c − a)(c + a − b)(a + b − c)
= 32Δ2 ,
this is the point dividing N Ia in the ratio
R 2Δ R
2abc(b + c − a) : 32Δ2 = 2 · 4RΔ(b + c − a) : 32Δ2 = : = : ra ,
2 b+c−a 2
i.e., the point of tangency of the nine-point circle and the A-excircle. 
Proposition 10. The line joining Qa (t) and Qa (−t) contains the orthocenter H a
of the A-touchpoints triangle Ta .
Proof. The equation of the line Qa (t)Qa (−t) is
a(b − c)(a + b + c)(−4b2 c2 ra2 + t2 (b2 + c2 − a2 )2 )x
+ b(c + a)(a + b − c)(−4c2 a2 ra2 + t2 (c2 + a2 − b2 )2 )y
− c(a + b)(c + a − b)(−4a2 b2 ra2 + t2 (a2 + b2 − c2 )2 )z
= 0.
Substituting the coordinates of the point H a given in Proposition 6, we obtain
 
− 4a2 b2 c2 ra2 (b2 − c2 ) + (c2 − a2 ) + (a2 − b2 )

+ t2 a2 (b2 − c2 )(b2 + c2 − a2 )2 + b2 (c2 − a2 )(c2 + a2 − b2 )2

+ c2 (a2 − b2 )(a2 + b2 − c2 )2
= 0,
as in the proof of Proposition 4. 

6. The triad of ex-Feuerbach hyperbolas

We call the hyperbola Fa in Proposition 9 the A-ex-Feuerbach hyperbola. We
also consider the triangles Tb (t) := Xb (t)Yb (t)Zb (t) and Tc (t) := Xc (t)Yc (t)Zc (t).
These vertices are the points on the lines Ib Xb , Ib Yb , Ib Zb satisfying
Ib Xb (t) = Ib Yb (t) = Ib Zb (t) = t,
74 S. N. Kiss and P. Yiu

and Xc (t), Yc (t), Zc (t) on Ic Xc , Ic Yc , Ic Zc satisfying

Ic Xc (t) = Ic Yc (t) = Ic Zc (t) = t.
In homogeneous barycentric coordinates,

Xb (t) = (2(rb − t)a2 : −2rb ab + t(a2 + b2 − c2 ) : 2rb ca + t(c2 + a2 − b2 )),

Yb (t) = (−2rb ab + t(a2 + b2 − c2 ) : 2(rb − t)b2 : −2rb bc + t(b2 + c2 − a2 )),
Zb (t) = (2rb ca + t(c2 + a2 − b2 ) : −2rb bc + t(b2 + c2 − a2 ) : 2(rb − t)c2 );
Xc (t) = (2(rc − t)a2 : 2rc ab + t(a2 + b2 − c2 ) : −2rc ca + t(c2 + a2 − b2 )),
Yc (t) = (2rc ab + t(a2 + b2 − c2 ) : 2(rc − t)b2 : −2rc bc + t(b2 + c2 − a2 )),
Zc (t) = (−2rc ca + t(c2 + a2 − b2 ) : −2rc bc + t(b2 + c2 − a2 ) : 2(rc − t)c2 ).

Clearly there are analogous hyperbolas Fb and Fc which are isogonal conju-
gates of the lines OIb and OIc . These hyperbolas have centers
Fb = ((b + c)2 (a + b − c) : −(c − a)2 (a + b + c) : (a + b)2 (b + c − a)),
Fc = ((b + c)2 (c + a − b) : (c + a)2 (b + c − a) : −(a − b)2 (a + b + c)).
Remark. The centers of the triad of ex-Feuerbach hyperbolas, being the points of
tangency of the nine-point circle with the excircles, are perspective with ABC at
the outer Feuerbach point
 
(b + c)2 (c + a)2 (a + b)2
X(12) = : : .
b+c−a c+a−b a+b−c

Ic
Y Yb (t)
Zc (t) P
Z
I
I O
Xa (t)

B X C

Figure 6.
The touchpoints triangles and the Feuerbach hyperbolas 75

Proposition 11. The triangle Xa (t)Yb (t)Zc (t) is homothetic to the intouch trian-
gle at the point (a(ra − t) : b(rb − t) : c(rc − t), which divides OI in the ratio
2R + r − t : −2r (see Figure 6).

7. Some special cases

7.1. t = R. By Corollary 5(b), the point Pa (R) is the infinite point on the line
OIa . It follows that Qa (R) is on the circumcircle. It is the (fourth) intersection of
the hyperbola Fa with the circumcircle. These points are the reflections of H in
Fa , Fb , Fc respectively (see Figure 7).

Ib

A
Qb (R)
Fe
Qc (R)
Ic Fb
I
Fc
N O
H
B
C
Fa

Qa (R)

Ia

Figure 7.

7.2. t = 2R. It is well known that the circumcenter of the excentral triangle is
the reflection I  of I in O, and is the point of concurrency of the perpendiculars
from the excenters to the respective sidelines of triangle ABC (see Figure 6), and
the circumradius is 2R. It follows that the points Xa (2R), Yb (2R), Zc (2R) all
coincide with this circumcenter. It follows that the lines AQa (2R), BQb (2R),
CQc (2R) are concurrent at this point. t = 2R is the only nonzero value of t for
which the triangle Qa (t)Qb (t)Qc (t) is perspective with ABC.
In this case, both Yc (2R) and Zb (2R) are the reflection of I  in the line Ib Ic . We
call this X  . The line AX  is the reflection of AI  in Ib Ic . Since Ib Ic is the external
bisector of angle A of triangle ABC, AX  and AI  are isogonal lines with respect
to this angle. Likewise, we have Y  = Za (2R) = Xc (2R) with BY  , BI  isogonal
with respect to B, and and Z  = Ya (2R) = Xb (2R) with CZ  , CI  isogonal with
respect to C. It follows that AX  , BY  , CZ  are concurrent at a point P , which
is the isogonal conjugate of I  , and lies on the Feuerbach hyperbola F (see Figure
8).
76 S. N. Kiss and P. Yiu

X

Ib

Ic

H I I
P
B C
Z

Y

Ia

Figure 8.

8. Second tangents from O to the ex-Feuerbach hyperbolas

The hyperbolas Fa , Fb , Fc also appear in [1], where they are called the ex-
central Feuerbach hyperbolas. Neuberg [5] also mentioned these hyperbolas. The
A-ex-Feuerbach hyperbola Fa , being the isogonal conjugate of the line OIa , is
tangent to the line at Ia (see Figure 9). If the second tangent from O to Fa touches
it at Ta , then the line Ia Ta is the polar of O with respect to the hyperbola Fa . This
is the line

bc(b − c)(a + b + c)(a(b2 + c2 − a2 ) + (b + c)(c + a − b)(a + b − c))x

+ ca(c + a)(a + b − c)(c(a2 + b2 − c2 ) − (a + b)(b + c − a)(c + a − b))y
− ab(a + b)(c + a − b)(b(c2 + a2 − b2 ) − (c + a)(a + b − c)(b + c − a))z
= 0.

Apart from the excenter Ia , this line intersects the hyperbola Fa again at

a
Ta = 2 2 2
a(b + c − a ) + (b + c)(c + a − b)(a + b − c)
b
: 2 2 2
c(a + b − c ) − (a + b)(b + c − a)(c + a − b)

c
: .
b(c2 + a2 − b2 ) − (c + a)(a + b − c)(b + c − a)
The touchpoints triangles and the Feuerbach hyperbolas 77

Similarly, the second tangents from O to Fb and Fc (apart from OIb and OIc )
touch these hyperbolas at

a
Tb =
c(a2 + b2 − c2 ) − (a + b)(b + c − a)(c + a − b)
b
: 2 2 2
b(c + a − b ) + (c + a)(a + b − c)(b + c − a)

c
: ,
a(b2 + c2 − a2 ) − (b + c)(c + a − b)(a + b − c)
and

a
Tc =
b(c2
+ − a2 b2 )
− (c + a)(a + b − c)(b + c − a)
b
:
a(b2 + c2 − a2 ) − (b + c)(c + a − b)(a + b − c)

c
: ,
c(a2 + b2 − c2 ) + (a + b)(b + c − a)(c + a − b)
These three points of tangency form a triangle perspective with ABC at

T = (a(a(b2 + c2 − a2 ) − (b + c)(c + a − b)(a + b − c))

: b(b(c2 + a2 − b2 ) − (c + a)(a + b − c)(b + c − a))
: c(c(a2 + b2 − c2 ) − (a + b)(b + c − a)(c + a − b))).

I O
T
H
Ta
B
Ha Fa C

Ia

Figure 9.
78 S. N. Kiss and P. Yiu

This is the triangle center X(46) in [4]. It has a number of interesting properties.
It divides OI externally in the ratio R + r : −2r, and can be constructed as the
cevian quotient H/I. In other words, it is the perspector of the orthic triangle and
the excentral triangle. Therefore, the point Ta , and similarly Tb and Tc , can be
easily constructed as follows.
(1) Join Ia and Ha to intersect the line OI at T .
(2) Join A and T to intersect the hypebola Fa at Ta (see Figure 9).

9. A correspondence between the Euler line and the Feuerbach hyperbola

Let P = (u : v : w) be an aribitrary point. The lines P Ia , P Ib , P Ic intersect
the respective ex-Feuerbach hyperbolas at

 
(b − c)(a + b + c) c + a)(a + b − c) (a + b)(c + a − b)
Wa = : : ,
cv − bw aw + cu bu + av
 
(b + c)(a + b − c) c − a)(a + b + c) (a + b)(b + c − a)
Wb = : : ,
cv + bw aw − cu bu + av
 
(b + c)(c + a − b) c + a)(b + c − a) (a − b)(a + b − c)
Wc = : : .
cv + bw aw + cu bu − av

Ib

Wb
Fe
Ic Wc Fb
P
I W
Fc
O
H N
B
C
Fa
Wa

Ia

Figure 10.
The touchpoints triangles and the Feuerbach hyperbolas 79

These form a triangle perspective with ABC. The perspector is the point
 
b+c c+a a+b
W = : : .
(b + c − a)(cv + bw) (c + a − b)(aw + cu) (a + b − c)(bu + av)
Proposition 12. The perspector W is on the Feuerbach hyperbola if and only if P
lies on the Euler line.
Proof. The perspector W is on the Feuerbach hyperbola if and only if its isogonal
conjugate
 
∗ a2 (b + c − a)(cv + bw) b2 (c + a − b)(aw + cu) c2 (a + b − c)(bu + av)
W = : :
b+c c+a a+b
lies on the line OI with equation

bc(b − c)(b + c − a)x = 0.
cyclic

By substitution, we have
 a2 (b + c − a)(cv + bw)
0= bc(b − c)(b + c − a) ·
b+c
cyclic
 a(b − c)(b + c − a)2 (cv + bw)
= abc
b+c
cyclic
abc 
= a(b − c)(c + a)(a + b)(b + c − a)2 (cv + bw).
(b + c)(c + a)(a + b)
cyclic

Ignoring the nonzero factor, we have


0= a(b − c)(c + a)(a + b)(b + c − a)2 (cv + bw)
cyclic

= (b(c − a)(a + b)(b + c)(c + a − b)2 · cu
cyclic

+ c(a − b)(b + c)(c + a)(a + b − c)2 · bu)


= bc(b + c)((c − a)(a + b)(c + a − b)2 + (a − b)(c + a)(a + b − c)2 )u
cyclic

= bc(b + c) · (−2a(b − c)(b2 + c2 − a2 ))u
cyclic

= −2abc (b + c)(b − c)(b2 + c2 − a2 )u.
cyclic

This means that P = (u : v : w) lies on the Euler line (with equation given in
(6)). 
If P divides OH in the ratio OP : P H = t : 1 − t, then the isogonal conjugate
of W is the point dividing OI in the ratio OW ∗ : W ∗ I = R2 (1 − t) : rt. A simple
80 S. N. Kiss and P. Yiu

application of Menelaus’ theorem yields the following construction of W ∗ . Let P 

be the inferior of P . Then the line Fe P  intersects OI at W ∗ (see Figure 11).

Fe

W ∗ I
O
 NG
HP

B
C

Figure 11.

If we put W = (x : y : z), then P is the point with coordinates

  
a(b + c) b(c + a) c(a + b)
(u : v : w) = a − + +
(b + c − a)x (c + a − b)y (a + b − c)z
 
a(b + c) b(c + a) c(a + b)
: b − +
(b + c − a)x (c + a − b)y (a + b − c)z
 
a(b + c) b(c + a) c(a + b)
: c + − .
(b + c − a)x (c + a − b)y (a + b − c)z

10. The asymptotes of the Feuerbach hyperbolas

As is well known, the asymptotes of a rectangular circum-hyperbola which is the
isogonal conjugate of a line through O are the Simson lines of the intersections of
the line with the circumcircle. For the Feuerbach hyperbola and the ex-Feuerbach
hyperbolas, we give an easier construction based on the fact that the lines joining
the circumcenter to the incenter and the excenters are tangent to the respective
Feuerbach hyperbolas.
Lemma 13. Let P be a point on a rectangular hyperbola with center O. The
tangent to the hyperbola at P intersects the asymptotes at two points on the circle
with center P , passing through O.
Proof. Set up a Cartesian coordinate system with the asymptotes  asc axes. The
2
equation of the rectangular hyperbola is xy = c for
 some c. If P ct, t is a point
on the hyperbola, the tangent at P is the line 12 ct x + cty = c2 , or xt + yt =
2c. It intersects the asymptotes (axes) at X(2ct, 0) and Y 0, 2ct . Since P is the
midpoint of XY , P O = P X = P Y . 
The touchpoints triangles and the Feuerbach hyperbolas 81

Proposition 14. (a) The lines joining the Feuerbach point Fe to the intersections
of the incircle with the line OI are the asymptotes of the Feuerbach hyperbola F .
(b) The lines joining the point Fa to the intersections of the A-excircle with the
line OIa are the asymptotes of the A-ex-Feuerbach hyperbola Fa ; similarly for
the hyperbolas Fb and Fc (see Figure 12).

Fe
I O
Y
X
H

B Fa X C

Ia

Y

Figure 12.

11. More on the touchpoints triangles

11.1. The symmedian points of the touchpoints triangles. Since the A-excircle is
the circumcircle of the touchpoints triangle Ta , and the lines BC, CA, AB are the
tangents at its vertices, the symmedian point of Ta is the point of concurrency of
BYa , CZa , and AXa , i.e.,
Ka = (−(c + a − b)(a + b − c) : (a + b + c)(c + a − b) : (a + b + c)(a + b − c)).
Note that Ka is a point on the A-ex-Feuerbach hyperbola Fa .
The line joining Ka to Ia is the Brocard axis of Ta . It has equation
(b − c)(a + b + c)2 x + (c + a)(a + b − c)2 y − (a + b)(c + a − b)2 z = 0.
82 S. N. Kiss and P. Yiu

Proposition 15. (a) The Brocard axes of the touchpoints triangles and the intouch
triangle are concurrent at the deLongchamps point L, which is the point on the
Euler line of triangle ABC dividing OH in the ratio −1 : 2.
(b) The van Aubel lines (joining the orthocenter and the symmedian point) of the
touchpoints triangles and the intouch triangle are concurrent at H • , the isotomic
conjugate of the orthocenter of ABC (see Figure 13).

Ib

Ha
A

Kc
Ic L
c
H Kb
Ge I
O •
Ho H
H
Xa

B C
Ka

Ya

Hb
Za

Ia

Figure 13.

Remark. The intersection of the Euler line with the line IGe at the deLongchamps
point L is a well known fact. See [6].
Proposition 16. The triangle H a H b H c is perspective with the cevian triangle of
Q if and only if Q lies on the line
(b + c)(b2 + c2 − a2 ) (c + a)(c2 + a2 − b2 ) (a + b)(a2 + b2 − c2 )
L : x+ y+ z=0
b+c−a c+a−b a+b−c
or the Feuerbach hyperbola F .
(a) If Q traverses L , the perspector traverses the line xa + yb + zc = 1.
(b) If Q is on the Feuerbach hyperbola, the perspector P lies on the Jerabek
hyperbola J . The line joining QP passes through the orthocenter H (see Figure
14).
The touchpoints triangles and the Feuerbach hyperbolas 83

Ib

Ha

Ic
Hc P
H
I Q O

B
C

Hb

Ia

Figure 14.

Proof. Let Q = (u : v : w) with cevian triangle Qa Qb Qc where Qa = (0 : v : w),

Qb = (u : 0 : w), Qc = (u : v : 0). The equations of the lines H a Qa , H b Qb ,
H c Qc are
(a + b + c)(c(a − b)(a + b − c)v + b(c − a)(c + a − b)w)x
−a(c + a − b)(a + b − c)(b + c)(wy − vz) = 0, (13)
(a + b + c)(a(b − c)(b + c − a)w + c(a − b)(a + b − c)u)y
−b(a + b − c)(b + c − a)(c + a)(uz − wx) = 0, (14)
(a + b + c)(b(c − a)(c + a − b)u + a(b − c)(b + c − a)v)z
−c(b + c − a)(c + a − b)(a + b)(vx − uy) = 0. (15)
Eliminating x, y, z from equations (13), (14), (15), we have
⎛ ⎞

2abc(a + b + c) ⎝ (b + c)(c + a − b)(a + b − c)(b2 + c2 − a2 )u⎠
cyclic
⎛ ⎞

⎝ a(b − c)(b + c − a)vw⎠ = 0.
cyclic

Therefore the lines H a Qa , H b Qb , H c Qc are concurrent if and only if Q = (u : v :

w) lies on the line L or the Feuerbach hyperbola F .
84 S. N. Kiss and P. Yiu

Eliminating u, v, w from equations (13), (14), (15), we have

⎛ ⎞

32Δ2 (bcx + cay + abz) ⎝ a2 (b2 − c2 )(b2 + c2 − a2 )yz ⎠ = 0.
cyclic

Therefore the locus of the point of concurrency is the union of the line L (I) :
bcx + cay + abz = 0 (the trilinear polar of the incenter) and the Jerabek hyperbola
J.
Now the line L contains the point
 
a(b − c)(b + c − a)2 b(c − a)(c + a − b)2 c(a − b)(a + b − c)2
Q0 = : :
b+c c+a a+b
as is easily verified. Choosing Q = (u : v : w) to be this point, and solving
equations (13), (14), (15), we have the perspector
P0 = (a(b2 − c2 ) : b(c2 − a2 ) : c(a2 − b2 ))
on the line L (I). Therefore, by continuity, when Q traverses the line L , P tra-
verses L (I).
On the other hand, if Q lies on the Feuerbach hyperbola, then P lies on the
Jerabek hyperbola. If we take Q to be the point
 
1 1 1
: :
bc + t(b2 + c2 − a2 ) ca + t(c2 + a2 − b2 ) ab + t(a2 + b2 − c2 )
on the Feuerbach hyperbola, then P is the point
 
a(b + c)(b + c − a)
: · · · : · · ·
(b2 + c2 − a2 )(2rbc + t(b2 + c2 − a2 ))
on the Jerabek hyperbola. The line joining Q and P contains the orthocenter H.

Remarks. (1) The triangle center Q0 appears in [4] as X(1021).
(2) The triangle center P0 is the intersection of the lines bcx + cay + abz = 0
and ax + by + cz = 0. It appears in [4] as X(661).
(3) The line L can be constructed as the line containing the harmonic conjugates
of Ia H ∩ BC in BC, Ib H ∩ CA in CA, and Ic H ∩ AB in AB. It is the trilinear
polar of the triangle center X(29).
Proposition 17. The triangle H a H b H c is perspective with the anticevian triangle
of Q if and only if Q lies on the orthic axis
L (H) : (b2 + c2 − a2 )x + (c2 + a2 − b2 )y + (a2 + b2 − c2 )z = 0
or the circumconic
C : a(b2 − c2 )yz + b(c2 − a2 )zx + c(a2 − b2 )xy = 0
passing through I and its isotomic conjugate I • = (bc : ca : ab).
(a) If Q traverses the orthic axis, the perspector traverses the line xa + yb + zc = 1
(again).
The touchpoints triangles and the Feuerbach hyperbolas 85

(b) If Q is on the circumconic C , the perspector

 P lies on the  Jerabek hyperbola
(again) . The line QP passes through Hi = a(b+c)b+c−a : · · · : · · · , the common point
of the two conics (see Figure 15).

Ib

A Qb
Qc Ha

Ic

O P
Hi
I Q Hc
H

B
C

Hb

Ia Qa

Figure 15.

Proof. Let Q = (u : v : w) with anticevian triangle Qa Qb Qc where Qa = (−u :

v : w), Qb = (u : −v : w), Qc = (u : v : −w). The equations of the lines H a Qa ,
H b Qb , H c Qc are

(a + b + c)(c(a − b)(a + b − c)v + b(c − a)(c + a − b)w)x

+(a + b − c)(−a(b + c)(c + a − b)w + c(a − b)(a + b + c)u)y
+(c + a − b)(b(c − a)(a + b + c)u + a(b + c)(a + b − c)v)z = 0, (16)
(a + b − c)(c(a − b)(a + b + c)v + b(c + a)(b + c − a)w)x
+(a + b + c)(a(b − c)(b + c − a)w + c(a − b)(a + b − c)u)y
+(b + c − a)(−b(c + a)(a + b − c)u + a(b − c)(a + b + c)v)z = 0, (17)
(c + a − b)(−c(a + b)(b + c − a)v + b(c − a)(a + b + c)w)x
+(b + c − a)(a(b − c)(a + b + c)w + c(a + b)(c + a − b)u)y
+(a + b + c)(b(c − a)(c + a − b)u + a(b − c)(b + c − a)v)z = 0. (18)
86 S. N. Kiss and P. Yiu

Eliminating x, y, z, we have
⎛ ⎞⎛ ⎞
 
64abcΔ2 ⎝ (b2 + c2 − a2 )u⎠ ⎝ a(b2 − c2 )vw⎠ = 0.
cyclic cyclic

Therefore the lines H a Qa , H b Qb , H c Qc are concurrent if and only if Q = (u : v :

w) lies on the orthic axis L (H) or the circumconic C .
Eliminating u, v, w from equations (16), (17), (18), we have
⎛ ⎞

64Δ2 (bcx + cay + abz) ⎝ a2 (b2 − c2 )(b2 + c2 − a2 )yz ⎠ = 0.
cyclic

Therefore the locus of the point of concurrency is again the union of the line L (I) :
bcx + cay + abz = 0 (the trilinear polar of the incenter) and the Jerabek hyperbola
J.
Now the circumconic C is the circum-hyperbola which is the isotomic conjugate
of the line joining the incenter I to its isotomic conjugate. Its center is the point
(a(b − c)2 : b(c − a)2 : c(a − b)2 ).
 
1 1 1
If we choose Q to be the point at+bc : bt+ca : ct+ab , then the perspector is the
point  2 
a(b + c2 − a2 ) b(c2 + a2 − b2 ) c(a2 + b2 − c2 )
: :
at + bc bt + ca ct + ab
 
on the Jerabek hyperbola. In fact, C intersects J at Hi = a(b+c) b+c−a : · · · : · · · ,
and the line joining Q and P passes through Hi .


References
[1] R. C. Alperin, The Poncelet pencil of rectangular hyperbolas, Forum Geom., 10 (2010) 15–20.
[2] F. G.-M., Exercices de Géométrie, 6th ed., 1920; Gabay reprint, Paris, 1991.
[3] B. Gibert, Catalogue of Triangle Cubics, available at
http://bernard.gibert.pagesperso-orange.fr/ctc.html.
[4] C. Kimberling, Encyclopedia of Triangle Centers, available at
http://faculty.evansville.edu/ck6/encyclopedia/ETC.html.
[5] J. Neuberg, Sur l’hyperbole de Feuerbach, Mathesis, série 2, 3 (1893) 81–89.
[6] A. Vandegehn, Soddy’s circles and the de Longchamps point of a triangle, Amer. Math. Monthly,
71 (1964) 167–170.
[7] P. Yiu, Introduction to the Geometry of the Triangle, Florida Atlantic University Lecture Notes,
2001; with corrections, 2013, available at
http://math.fau.edu/Yiu/Geometry.html

Sándor N. Kiss: “Constantin Brâncuşi” Technology Lyceum, Satu Mare, Romania

E-mail address: [email protected]

Paul Yiu: Department of Mathematical Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road,
Boca Raton, Florida 33431-0991, USA
E-mail address: [email protected]