Suppose a triangle T has sides a, b, and c.

Let s be the semi-perimeter, i.e. half the perimeter.

Let r be the inner radius, the radius of the largest circle that can fit inside T.

Let R be the outer radius, the radius of the smallest circle that can enclose T.

Then three simple equations relate a, b, c, s, r, and R.

begin{align*} a + b + c &= 2s \ ab + bc + ac &= s^2 + r^2 +4rR \ abc &= 4Rrs end{align*}

Given a, b, and c, use the first equation to solve for s, then the third equation for Rr, then the second for r, then go back to the last equation to find R.

Given s, r, and R, you can calculate the right hand sides of the three equations above, which are the coefficients in a cubic equation for the sides a, b, and c.

x^3 - (2s)x^2 + (s^2 + r^2 + 4Rr)x -(4Rrs)= 0

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The post Relating perimeter, inner radius, outer radius, and sides of a triangle first appeared on John D. Cook.

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