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PROJECT EULER · #0985

Telescoping Triangles

Statement only · SolvedOriginal problem ↗

Given a triangle Tk, it is sometimes possible to construct a triangle Tk+1 inside Tk such that

  • The three vertices of Tk+1 lie one on each side of Tk.
  • For each side of Tk, the angles formed between it and the two sides of Tk+1 it touches are equal to each other.
0985_telescoping_triangles.png

Illustrated above is such a sequence of three triangles starting with T0 (in blue) having side lengths (8,9,10). Then T1 is shown in green and T2 in red. However, no triangle can be drawn inside T2 that satisfies the requirements. In other words, T3 does not exist.

Amongst all integer-sided triangles T0 such that T2 exists but T3 does not exist, the smallest possible perimeter is 10 when T0 has side lengths (3,3,4).

Suppose another triangle T0 has integer side lengths, and T20 exists, but T21 does not exist. What is the smallest possible perimeter of T0?

Write-up coming later

The complete problem is available here. An approach, code, and answer will be added later.