MHB Prove Triangle ABC is a Right Triangle

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SUMMARY

The discussion establishes that triangle ABC, with integer side lengths and an inradius of 1, must be a right triangle. Utilizing the relationship between the area, semiperimeter, and inradius, it is shown that the area of the triangle can be expressed as half the product of its legs in the case of a right triangle. The conclusion is drawn based on the properties of integer-sided triangles and the implications of the inradius condition.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of triangle properties, specifically right triangles.
  • Knowledge of the inradius and its relationship to triangle area.
  • Familiarity with integer side lengths in geometric contexts.
  • Basic proficiency in algebra and geometric proofs.
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  • Research the properties of right triangles and their side lengths.
  • Study the formula for the inradius of a triangle and its implications.
  • Explore integer-sided triangles and their classifications.
  • Learn about geometric proofs and techniques for proving triangle properties.
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Mathematicians, geometry students, educators, and anyone interested in the properties of triangles and geometric proofs.

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Suppose the lengths of the three sides of $\triangle ABC$ are integers and the inradius of the triangle is 1. Prove that the triangle is a right triangle.
 
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Let $a=BC,\,b=CA$ and $c=AB$ be the side lengths, $r$ be the inradius and $s=\dfrac{a+b+c}{2}$.

Since the area of the triangle is $rs$, we get $\sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}=1\cdot s=s$. Then

$(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)=s=(s-a)+(s-b)+(s-c)$

Now $4(a+b+c)=8s=(2s-2a)(2s-2b)(2s-2c)=(b+c-a)(c+a-b)(a+b-c)$.

In $(\bmod 2)$, each of $b+c-a,\,c+a-b$ and $a+b-c$ are the same. So either they are all odd or all even. Since their product is even, they are all even. Then $a+b+c$ is even and $s$ is an integer.

The positive integers $x=s-a,\,y=s-b$ and $z=s-c$ satisfy $xyz=x+y+z$. Suppose $x\ge y\ge z$. Then $yz\le 3$ for otherwise $xyz>3x\ge x+y+z$. This implies $x=3,\,y=2,\,z=1,\,s=3,\,a=3,\,b=4$ and $c=5$.

Therefore, the triangle is a right triangle.
 

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