Higher Secondary

Student Corner

Infinite Kepler Triangles

PRANAV VERMA Introduction
The Fibonacci numbers form one of the most intriguing
In this article, we shall sequences of natural numbers. The sequence goes
explain what a Kepler 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, . . .. Here the n-th Fibonacci number Fn (for
triangle is and describe an n ≥ 3) can be expressed as the sum of the previous two
infinite nested array of such Fibonacci numbers, i.e.,
triangles.
Fn+2 = Fn+1 + Fn (n ≥ 1).
It is well-known that
Fn+1
lim = ϕ,
n→∞ Fn
√
where ϕ = (1 + 5)/2 ≈ 1.618 is the golden ratio. Note
that ϕ is the positive root of the quadratic equation
x2 − x − 1 = 0. So the golden ratio satisfies the relation
ϕ2 = ϕ + 1. A consequence of this basic relation is the
following:
n+1
ϕ = Fn+1 ϕ + Fn , n ≥ 1.

The Kepler triangle

An interesting occurrence of the golden ratio in Euclidean
geometry is in the Kepler triangle. A Kepler triangle is a
right-angled triangle whose sides are in geometric
progression. If the common ratio of this geometric
√ √
progression is x, then the sides are in the ratio 1 : x : x,
so we have 1 + x = x2 , which shows that x = ϕ. So the sides
of the Kepler triangle are in the ratio
√
1 : ϕ : ϕ ≈ 1 : 1.272 : 1.618.

Keywords: Kepler triangle, Fibonacci numbers, Golden ratio

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 A A




kϕ
k
E
F









B √ C B C
k ϕ D

Figure 1. Kepler Triangle Figure 2. Constructing △DEF from △ABC

See Figure 1. Note that a triangle with sides and

√
k, k ϕ, kϕ (k > 0) is also a Kepler triangle since kϕ
z(ϕ + 1) = kϕ ∴ z= . (4)
√ ϕ+1
(kϕ) = (k ϕ) + k .
2 2 2
Observe that
Clearly, a triangle that is similar to a Kepler √
x:y:z=1: ϕ : ϕ. (5)
triangle is itself a Kepler triangle.

Now note that FE is parallel to BC (because

The problem AF/FB = AE/EC); hence △AFE is similar to
Let us now do something interesting. Let △ABC △ABC. Consequently, △AFE is a Kepler triangle.
be a Kepler triangle with hypotenuse AC; let its
√ In the same way, since DF is parallel to CA, it
sides AB, BC, CA be k, k ϕ, kϕ. Let the sides be
follows that △BDF is similar to △BCA, and
divided by points F, D, E, respectively, such that
therefore that △BDF too is a Kepler triangle.
BD CE BF 1 It remains to check △CED and △DEF. We shall
= = = . (1)
DC EA FA ϕ show that they too are Kepler triangles.

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.

Azim Premji University At Right Angles, July 2021 71

 It follows that by starting with a Kepler triangle Construction of point E. Suppose AB = x. Using
and inscribing a triangle in it as described above, a compass, construct AC perpendicular to AB,
the inscribed triangles are also Kepler triangles. By with AC = x/2. Join BC. With C as centre and
repeating this process, we get an infinite array of radius AC, draw an arc intersecting BC at point D.
nested Kepler triangles (see Figure 3). We may call With B as centre and radius BD, draw another arc
them ‘hidden Kepler triangles’. intersecting AB at point
√ E. Since △ABC is
right-angled, BC
√ = 5x/2, so
BD = BE =√( 5 − 1)x/2. Hence
AE = (3 − 5)x/2. Taking ratios, we get
BE/AE = ϕ, i.e., E divides AB in the ratio 1 : ϕ
(Figure 4).

Figure 3.

Appendix: The golden section Figure 4.

Consider a line segment AB. We say that a point E
on AB divides it in the golden section if
AE : EB = ϕ : 1 or 1 : ϕ.

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
[email protected].

72 Azim Premji University At Right Angles, July 2021