The Encyclopedia of Geometry (0044)


Problem

When we take any two points $P$ and $Q$ inside or on the circumference of $△ABC$, the length of line segment $PQ$ does not exceed the length of the maximum side of this triangle.


$$ $$

$$ $$

$\downarrow$ $\downarrow$ $\downarrow$ $\downarrow$ $\downarrow$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$


Solution

If $AB≥BC≥CA$, and the point where the extension of $AP$ intersects with $BC$ is $R$, then from the previous question $0043$,

$$AB≥AR≥AP.$$

Similarly,

$$AB≥BS≥BP.$$

$$AB≥BC≥CT≥CP.$$

Therefore, $AP, \ BP$, and $CP$ do not exceed $AB$.

Now, if $Q$ is within $△APC$, similarly, $PQ$ does not exceed the maximum side of $△APC$.

By the way, the maximum side of $△APC$ does not exceed $AB$. Thus,

$$PQ≤AB.$$

$ $

$ $
$ $

Reference

Teiichiro Sasabe (1976) The Encyclopedia of Geometry (2nd edition), Seikyo-Shinsha, p.13