Can acute triangles satisfy this inequality involving sides and radius?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the inequality involving the sides of an acute triangle and its circumradius R, specifically examining whether the inequality \(\frac{a^2b^2}{c^2} + \frac{a^2c^2}{b^2}+\frac{b^2c^2}{a^2} \geq 9R^2\) holds true. Participants explore various proofs and counterexamples related to this inequality, with a focus on elegant methods of proof and the conditions under which the inequality may or may not be valid.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the inequality holds for acute triangles, seeking elegant proofs.
  • One participant clarifies that the circumradius R is being referenced in the inequality.
  • A participant mentions using substitution involving the area of the triangle to approach the proof.
  • Another participant claims to have found an error in their proof, suggesting that the inequality may be invalid and providing a counterexample with specific triangle parameters.
  • A later reply suggests rewriting the expression in trigonometric form and states that the inequality holds for acute triangles, proposing a proof under this restriction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of the inequality, with some asserting it holds for acute triangles while others challenge this claim by presenting counterexamples. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the overall validity of the inequality.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the dependence on the triangle being acute and the potential for errors in proofs, highlighting the complexity of the mathematical reasoning involved.

tehno
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For a triangle with sides a,b,c and its corresponding circle with radius R:



\frac{a^2b^2}{c^2} +\frac{a^2c^2}{b^2}+\frac{b^2c^2}{a^2} \geq 9R^2
 
Last edited:
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What is the corresponding circle? Inscribed or circumscribed?
 
Circumscribed of course (usually denoted by capital R).
 
Anybody?
I prooved it in a long and ugly way.
I'd like to see ,if possible,an elegant proof of it.
 
tehno said:
Anybody?
I prooved it in a long and ugly way.
I'd like to see ,if possible,an elegant proof of it.
me too.
and tehno, can you please post your proof or at least an outline of it?
 
murshid_islam said:
me too.
and tehno, can you please post your proof or at least an outline of it?
Nothing particularly smart.
I used substitution:
R=\frac{abc}{4P}
where P is area of triangle with sides a,b,c.
I went to proove :
\frac{ab}{c^2}+\frac{ac}{b^2}+\frac{bc}{a^2}>\frac{9}{4}
which I used along the way to proove the original inequality having on mind basic triangle inequality a+b>c.
After lot of algebraic work I arrived at the original inequality.

But can we somehow make a use something more elegant like a well known :
\frac{1}{a^2+b^2+c^2}\geq \frac{1}{9R^2}

?
 
murshid_islam said:
me too.
and tehno, can you please post your proof or at least an outline of it?
It can't be possible you have a proof of it becouse the inequality is invalid!
Some things were odd and by closer inspection I found error in my proof.
The error helped me also to find an obvious counterexample when ineqality doesn't hold.Consider the triangle with following parameters:
a=b=1;c=\sqrt{3};R=1
 
I will rewrite the expression in a trigonometric form and give a restriction.

(sin(\alpha) sin(\beta) cosec(\gamma))^2+(sin(\alpha) cosec(\beta) sin(\gamma))^2+ (cosec(\alpha) sin(\beta) sin(\gamma))^2\geq\frac{9}{4}

The restriction is the inequality holds for acute triangles.Now,when I fixed it,
proove the claim.
 

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