Euler's theorem in geometry

In geometry, Euler's theorem states that the distance d between the circumcenter and incenter of a triangle is given by^[1][2]

or equivalently where ${\displaystyle R}$ and ${\displaystyle r}$ denote the circumradius and inradius respectively (the radii of the circumscribed circle and inscribed circle respectively). The theorem is named for Leonhard Euler, who published it in 1765.^[3] However, the same result was published earlier by William Chapple in 1746.^[4]

From the theorem follows the Euler inequality:^[5]

which holds with equality only in the equilateral case.^[6]

Stronger version of the inequality

A stronger version^[6] is

where ${\displaystyle a}$, ${\displaystyle b}$, and ${\displaystyle c}$ are the side lengths of the triangle.

Euler's theorem for the escribed circle

If ${\displaystyle r_{a}}$ and ${\displaystyle d_{a}}$ denote respectively the radius of the escribed circle opposite to the vertex ${\displaystyle A}$ and the distance between its center and the center of the circumscribed circle, then ${\displaystyle d_{a}^{2}=R(R+2r_{a})}$.

Euler's inequality in absolute geometry

Euler's inequality, in the form stating that, for all triangles inscribed in a given circle, the maximum of the radius of the inscribed circle is reached for the equilateral triangle and only for it, is valid in absolute geometry.^[7]

See also

• Fuss' theorem for the relation among the same three variables in bicentric quadrilaterals
• Poncelet's closure theorem, showing that there is an infinity of triangles with the same two circles (and therefore the same R, r, and d)
• Egan conjecture, generalization to higher dimensions
• List of triangle inequalities

References

External links

• Weisstein, Eric W., "Euler Triangle Formula", MathWorld