The equation of Euler's line yields a Tzitzeica surface (Q1016789)

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scientific article; zbMATH DE number 5553769
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The equation of Euler's line yields a Tzitzeica surface
scientific article; zbMATH DE number 5553769

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    The equation of Euler's line yields a Tzitzeica surface (English)
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    14 May 2009
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    The paper starts giving a formula which allows to compute the slope of Euler's line in a triangle as a rational function of the slopes of its sides. This formula leads to the definition of a surface \(S\) in \(\mathbb{R}^3\) which is shown to be a \textit{Tzitzeica surface}; i. e., a surface such that \[ K(p)=a\cdot d^4(p) \] where \(K(p)\) denotes the Gaussian curvature at a point \(p\), \(d(p)\) is the distance between the origin and the tangent plane to the surface at \(p\) and \(a\) is a real constant. Finally, the authors consider triangles \(\triangle ABC\) with \(B\) and \(C\) fixed and varying \(A\). This induces a map from \(\mathbb{R}^2\) to the previously defined surface in an obvious manner. Then, the image under this map of the geometric locus of the points \(A\) giving a constant slope of Euler's line is studied. In particular the locus of the points \(A\) giving Euler's line parallel to \(BC\) is studied with detail. Although elementary, the paper is interesting and the first part is suitable to be presented to undergraduates.
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    Euler's line
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    Tzitzeica surface
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