Heptagonal Triangles and Their

Companions
Paul Yiu
Department of Mathematical Sciences,
Florida Atlantic University,

yiu@fau.edu

MAA Florida Sectional Meeting

February 13–14, 2009
Florida Gulf Coast University
1
2 P. Yiu

Abstract. A heptagonal triangle is a non-isosceles

triangle formed by three vertices of a regular hep-
tagon. Its angles are π7 , 2π 4π
7 and 7 . As such, there
is a unique choice of a companion heptagonal tri-
angle formed by three of the remaining four ver-
tices. Given a heptagonal triangle, we display a
number of interesting companion pairs of heptag-
onal triangles on its nine-point circle and Brocard
circles. Among other results on the geometry of
the heptagonal triangle, we prove that the circum-
center and the Fermat points of a heptagonal tri-
angle form an equilateral triangle. The proof is an
interesting application of Lester’s theorem that the
Fermat points, the circumcenter and the nine-point
center of a triangle are concyclic.
The heptagonal triangle 3

The heptagonal triangle T and its circumcircle

B
a

b
c

A
4 P. Yiu

The companion of T

A′

O D = residual vertex

B′

C′
The heptagonal triangle 5

Relation between the sides of the heptagonal triangle

b
a

b
c

a c a b

c
b

a
b

b2 = a(c + a) c2 = a(a + b)
6 P. Yiu

Archimedes’ construction (Arabic tradition)

K H
B A
b a c

B A
K H

E
The heptagonal triangle 7

Division of segment: a neusis construction

Let BHP Q be a square, with one side BH sufficiently extended.
Draw the diagonal BP . Place a ruler through Q, intersecting the diagonal BP at T , and
the side HP at E, and the line BH at A such that the triangles AHE and T P Q have equal
areas. Then,

B K H A

b a c

Q L P

GSP

b2 = a(c + a), c2 = (a + b)b.

8 P. Yiu

The orthic triangle

The heptagonal triangle, apart from the equilateral triangle, is
the only triangle similar its own orthic triangle.

A1

B1
C

A C1 B
The heptagonal triangle 9

Analysis:
A
A

C′
B′
A′
B C

C′ H B′

H
B A′ C
′
(a) A =

Case (a): ABC acute:

A′ = π − 2A, B ′ = π − 2B, C ′ = π − 2C.
π
{A′, B ′ , C ′} = {A, B, C} =⇒ A = B = C = .
3
Case (b): Angle C obtuse:
A′ = 2A, B ′ = 2B, C ′ = 2C − π.
π 2π 4π
{A′ , B ′, C ′} = {A, B, C} =⇒ {A, B, C} = { , , }.
7 7 7
10 P. Yiu

A1

B1
C

A C1 B

The orthic triangle of the heptagonal triangle has

similarity factor 12 , because . . .
The heptagonal triangle 11

A1

B1
C

B0 A0

A C0 C1 B

because its vertices are on the nine-point circle of T,

which also contains the vertices of the medial triangle,
i.e., the midpoints of the sides of T.
12 P. Yiu

A1

? B1
C

B0 A0

A C0 C1 B

The orthic triangle and the medial triangle are

companion heptagonal triangles.

What can we say about the residual vertex?

The heptagonal triangle 13

This residual vertex also lies on the circumcircle of T.

A1

B1
C

B0 A0

A C0 C1 B

To justify this and probe more into the geometry of the hep-
tagonal triangle, we make use of . . .
14 P. Yiu

Complex Coordinates
C = ζ2

ζ=B

A′ = ζ 3

O 1=D

ζ4 = A

ζ 6 = B′

ζ5 = C′

ζ = primitive 7-th root of unity

ζ 6 + ζ 5 + ζ 4 + ζ 3 + ζ 2 + ζ + 1 = 0.
The heptagonal triangle 15

Points on the Euler line of T

H

C
B

N
G

OG : GN : N H = 2 : 1 : 3.

Center Notation Coordinates

circumcenter O 0
1 2 4
centroid G 3 (ζ + ζ + ζ )
1 2 4
nine-point center N 2 (ζ + ζ + ζ )
orthocenter H ζ + ζ2 + ζ4
16 P. Yiu

Companionship of medial and orthic triangles

H

B1

A1 C

B
A0
E
N
A′ C1
B0

C0
O D

B′

C′

Center: N = 21 (ζ + ζ 2 + ζ 4 )
Residual vertex: E = 12 (−1 + ζ + ζ 2 + ζ 4 )
Rotation Medial triangle Rotation Orthic triangle
ζ4 A0 = 12 (ζ + ζ 2 ) ζ3 C1 = 21 (ζ + ζ 2 − ζ 3 + ζ 4 )
ζ B0 = 21 (ζ 2 + ζ 4 ) ζ6 A1 = 12 (ζ + ζ 2 + ζ 4 − ζ 6 )
ζ2 C0 = 12 (ζ + ζ 4 ) ζ5 B1 = 12 (ζ + ζ 2 + ζ 4 − ζ 5 )

Why is E a point on the circumcircle of T?

The heptagonal triangle 17

Residual vertex E
= Euler reflection point of T
= Intersection of the reflections of the Euler line
in the three sidelines of T.

B1

A1 C

A0 B
E
N

C1

B0

C0
O

A
18 P. Yiu

B1

A1 C
Hb

A0 B
Ha
E
N
′
A C1

B0

C0
O D

Hc
A

B′

Remark. The reflections of H in the sides are the antipodes of

the vertices of the companion of H′ .
The heptagonal triangle 19

The second intersection of the nine-point circle and the circum-

circle
H

B1

A1 C ?

A0 B
E
N
′
A C1

B0

C0
O D

B′

C′

This is a point related to . . .

20 P. Yiu

. . . the tritangent circles of T, i.e., the incircle and excircles.

Ia

C −C ′

−B ′
B

A′ I

Ib

−A′

B′

C′

Ic
The heptagonal triangle 21

Feuerbach theorem: The nine-point circle is tangent to

the incircle internally at Fe and to
the excircles at Fa , Fb , Fc .

Ia
Fa
C

N B
Fe
I
Fb
Ib Fc

Ic
22 P. Yiu

The second intersection of the circumcircle and the nine-point

circle is Fa , the point of tangency of the nine-point circle with
the A-excircle.

H
Ia
B1

A1 Fa
C

A0 B
E
N
A′ C1
B0

C0
O D

B′

C′
The heptagonal triangle 23

Another companion pair of heptagonal triangles

on the nine-point circle: triangle Fb FeFc and triangle Fa′ Fb′ Fc′ ,
where Fa′ , Fb′ , Fc′ are the intersections of AFa, BFa , CFa with
the nine-point circle.

Fb′ Ia
Fa
C
Fc′
B
Fe
N I
Fb
Ib Fc
Fa′
O

Ic
24 P. Yiu

The Brocard points

Given a triangle there are two unique points (Brocard points)
for each of which the three marked angles are equal (Brocard
angle ω).

C C

B B

Brocard
Brocard

O O

A A
The heptagonal triangle 25

K B

Brocard
Brocard

The two Brocard points are equidistant from O.

If K is the symmedian point of the triangle, then
the circle with diameter OK contains the two Brocard points.
Each of the two chords makes an angle ω with OK.
26 P. Yiu

C C

B B
?
N

O O

A A

For the heptagonal triangle T,

(i) the Brocard angle ω satisfies
√
cot ω = 7;
(ii) one of the Brocard points is the nine-point center N
(Bankoff-Garfunkel, Mathematics Magazine, 46 (1973) 7–19).
The heptagonal triangle 27
C

B
K

N ?

1 2
N = (ζ + ζ 2 + ζ 4 ) =⇒ K = √ · i
2 7
1
? = − (ζ 3 + ζ 5 + ζ 6 ).
2
Later, we shall identify ? as an interesting triangle center of
T.
Meanwhile,
28 P. Yiu

a companion pair of heptagonal triangles

on the Brocard circle:
C

K B
A−ω

A′ C−ω

B−ω
− 12 D
O

B′

C′

The vertices are the second intersections of OA, OB, OC,

OA′ , OB ′ , OC ′ with the nine-point circle.
A−ω B−ω C−ω is called the first Brocard triangle of T. The
Brocard circle is also called the seven-point circle, containing
O, K, two Brocard points, three vertices of Brocard triangle.
The heptagonal triangle 29

The residual vertex of T

C ′′

C
B

O
D

A′′
A
B ′′

If similar isosceles triangles A′′BC, B ′′ CA, C ′′AB

of vertical angles 2ω are constructed on the sides,
then AA′′ , BB ′′ , CC ′′ intersect at D on the circumcircle.

What this means is that . . .

30 P. Yiu

the midpoint of DH
= 12 (1 + ζ + ζ 2 + ζ 4 ) = − 21 (ζ 3 + ζ 5 + ζ 6).
Note that this is the second Brocard point of T we met before:
C

B
K

N ?

1 2
N = (ζ + ζ 2 + ζ 4 ) =⇒ K = √ · i
2 7
1
? = − (ζ 3 + ζ 5 + ζ 6 ).
2
But more importantly, it is
The heptagonal triangle 31

the center Ki of the Kiepert hyperbola.

C ′′

B
Ki

O
D

A′′
A
B ′′
32 P. Yiu

Ki is also the midpoint between the two Fermat points of T:

C ′′

B
Fermat Ki

Fermat

O
D

A′′
A
B ′′
The heptagonal triangle 33

Recall the Fermat points

B′ A′′
F−
A
A

C′

F+

C ′′
B C

B C

A′
Fermat point B ′′ Negative Fermat point
34 P. Yiu

There are many wonderful properties of the Fermat points of

a triangle. For example,

Z
Y

B C

X
The heptagonal triangle 35

Lester Theorem: the circumcenter, the nine-point center, and

the Fermat points are concyclic.

A F−

Lester’s circle

F+ N

B C
36 P. Yiu

Theorem In the heptagonal triangle T, the circumcenter and

the Fermat points form an equilateral triangle.

B
Fermat Ki

Fermat

D
O

A
The heptagonal triangle 37

Proof. (1) The line joining the Fermat points

also contains the symmedian point K,
and is perpendicular to OKi .

K B
Fermat Ki

Fermat

D
O

A
38 P. Yiu

(2) The perpendicular bisector of ON intersects

the circumcircle at
X = −1 and Y = 12 (1 − (ζ 3 + ζ 5 + ζ 6 )) on the circumcircle.
(3) This perpendicular bisector intersects OKi at
L = − 13 (ζ 3 + ζ 5 + ζ 6).
H

C Fa

K B
N Ki
Y

X
O

A
The heptagonal triangle 39

(4) Consider the Lester circle. Since Ki is the midpoint be-

tween the Fermat points, the center of the Lester circle is the in-
tersection of OKi with the perpendicular bisector of ON . This
is the point L.
H

C Fa

K B
Fermat
Ki
Y
N
L Fermat

X
O

A
40 P. Yiu

(5) Since OL = 23 · OKi , the centroid and the circumcenter

of the triangle OF+ F− coincide.

This shows that triangle OF+ F− is equilateral.

H

C Fa

F+
B
K
Ki
N
F−
L