Start with any triangle T1 and its inscribed circle. Draw the triangle T2 which has its vertices at the points of contact between the triangle T1 and its incircle. Now keep repeating this process starting with T2 to form a sequence of nested triangles and circles. What happens to the triangles? You may like to investigate this interactively on the computer or by drawing with ruler and compasses. If the angles in the first triangle are a, b and c prove that the angles in the second triangle are given (in degrees) by f(x) = (90 - x/2) where x takes the values a, b and c. Choose some triangles, investigate this iteration numerically and try to give reasons for what happens. Investigate what happens if you reverse this process (triangle to circumcircle to triangle...)
A Short introduction to using Logo. This is the first in a twelve part series.
What happens when a procedure calls itself?
The invitation is for you to explore the following transformations and comment on what you find:
T(x) = y T(y) = xy
This transformation has the following successive effect (starting with x):
x y xy yxy xyyxy ... ...
R(x) = xy R(y) = z R(z) = xy
This transformation has the following successive effect:
x xy xyz xyzxy xyzxyxyz ... ...
S(w) = wx S(x) = y S(y) = wz S(z) = y
w wx wxy wxywz ... ...
So what do you notice about this pattern and can you explain why it is occurring?
Can you suggest an appropriate set of transformations for the following elements that would have the same effect?
T(v) = ? T(w) = ? T(x) = ? T(y) = ? T(z) = ?