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Problem 2082

National Olympiad second round; IMO P1/P4
Geometry Difficulty 7.5 Prove it Balkan Mathematical Olympiad Shortlist · Balkan Mathematical Olympiad

Prove that there exist infinitely many non isosceles triangles with rational side lengths, rational lengths of altitudes, and perimeter equal to 33.

This one wants a proof. Work it on paper, then read the official solution and mark yourself. Be honest about it: the record is only any use to you if it is.

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Official solution

If the lengths aa, bb and cc of the sides are rational, since aha=bhb=chc=2Aa h_a = b h_b = c h_c = 2A, where by hah_a, hbh_b and hch_c we denote the lengths of the altitudes of the triangle, it is enough to find an infinite number of triangles with rational area. From Heron's formula we have
A=32(32a)(32b)(32c)=143(32a)(32b)(32c). A = \sqrt{\frac{3}{2} \left(\frac{3}{2} - a\right) \left(\frac{3}{2} - b\right) \left(\frac{3}{2} - c\right)} = \frac{1}{4} \sqrt{3(3 - 2a)(3 - 2b)(3 - 2c)}.
and hence, in order the area be rational for an infinite number of sides, it is enough the quantity under the radical to be square of a rational number. Therefore it is enough to find rational numbers xx, yy and zz such that
32a=3x2,32b=3y2,32c=3z2. 3 - 2a = 3x^2, \quad 3 - 2b = 3y^2, \quad 3 - 2c = 3z^2.
This is feasible by putting
x=2uvu2+v2+w2,y=2uwu2+v2+w2,z=u2+v2+w2u2+v2+w2. x = \frac{2uv}{u^2 + v^2 + w^2}, \quad y = \frac{2uw}{u^2 + v^2 + w^2}, \quad z = \frac{-u^2 + v^2 + w^2}{u^2 + v^2 + w^2}.
where uu, vv and ww are rational. It is easily checked that for these values of xx, yy and zz we have x2+y2+z2=1x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 1 and therefore, there exists a triangle of side lengths aa, bb and cc with perimeter 33.

Solution 2:
All triangles with side lengths 3aa+b+c\frac{3a}{a+b+c}, 3ba+b+c\frac{3b}{a+b+c}, 3ca+b+c\frac{3c}{a+b+c} where aa, bb and cc are integers such that a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2 satisfy the condition of the problem. Since there are infinitely many right triangles with integer sides no two of which are similar, we are done.

Source: MathNet, licensed CC-BY-4.0. Statement reproduced verbatim; metadata (topic, difficulty, ordering) added by this project.