MathLabs

Problem 4

Let A0B0C0A_0B_0C_0 and A1B1C1A_1B_1C_1 be any two acute-angled triangles. Consider all triangles ABCABC similar to A1B1C1A_1B_1C_1 (with corresponding vertices) and circumscribed about A0B0C0A_0B_0C_0, where A0A_0 lies on BCBC, B0B_0 on CACA, and C0C_0 on ABAB. Determine and construct the triangle of maximum area.
Step 6 of 7: Maximize the side
AB≤2OAOBAB\le2O_AO_B
Detailed analysis

A projection has length at most the original segment, so AB≤2OAOBAB\le2O_AO_B. Equality holds exactly when AB∥OAOBAB\parallel O_AO_B.