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Napoleon’s theorem
Theorem.
If equilateral triangles are erected externally on the three sides of any given triangle, then their centres are the vertices of an equilateral triangle.
If we embed the statement in the complex plane, the proof is a mere calculation. In the notation of the figure, we can assume that , , and is in the upper half plane. The hypotheses are
| (1) |
where , and the conclusion we want is
| (2) |
where
From (1) and the relation , we get :
and so
proving (2).
Remarks: The attribution to Napoléon Bonaparte (1769-1821) is traditional, but dubious. For more on the story, see MathPages.
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