INDEX

Contents Page

1. What is an Affine problem ? 2

2. The relationship between Affine geometry and

Euclidean geometry in E n 2

3. Solving an Affine problem in Euclidean spaces 3

4. Examples 3

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 1. What is an Affine problem ?

As we known, affine geometry is formed by two basic subjects

that are point, vector, including two axioms and vector consisting of
8 axioms. An affine problem only mentions about affine concepts and
properties.

Problems which are them hypothesis and conclusions not men-

tion about the concepts that are concern scalar product such as:length,
distance, angle, perpendicularity...(these concepts about this quantity
just exists in Euclidean space) called affine problems.

2. The relationship between Affine geometry and Euclidean

geometry in E n

In Euclidean space E n contains affine group An , so we

have affine geometry on E n . Since Dn displacement group is the affine
groups subgroup An . Therefore, affine is a part of Euclidean geometry.
It means those properties that do not transform via affine transforma-
tion is the properties studied in Euclidean (transformation is considered
as a special affine method).

In contrast, those properties that do not transform via Dn dis-

placement is not really affine invariances, for instance, length of straight
lines, the perpendicular of planes...

Therefore, Euclidean geometry on E n is more diverse be-

cause it both studies affine groups displacement and displacement of
transformation group.

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 3. Using the Affine method equivalent figure to solving
problem (Solving an Affine problem in Euclidean spaces).

Since each Euclidean space is an Affine space so we can

consider the given problem as a problem on the Affine space.

With this perspective, we can use the equivalent figure Affine

to solve some of these problems.

Suppose that we need to prove that the H figure has property

which is an Affine property. We need to take the following steps:

a. We choose from set of equivalence figures Affine to H figure

with H figure that has Affine property it is easier to prove. We can as-
sume that H is image of H via some Affine method. We have f(H) = H.

b. We prove that the property on H. Through process we

prove, we can use more tools of Euclidean geometry and thus, proving
is implemented easily and quickly.

c. After proving Affine property on H, we conduct Affine

method f 1 maps H to H and of course, we prove Affine property
on H.

The following problems will be clear up above arguments.

4. Examples:

Problem 1.

Let ABC be a triangle in E 2 . Let A1 , A2 in BC, B1 , B2

in AC and C1 , C2 in AB such that BA1 = A1 A2 = A2 C , CB1 =
B1 B2 = B2 A, AC1 = C1 C2 = C2 B . The segments AA1 , AA2 ,
BB1 , BB2 , CC1 , CC2 form a hexagon. Prove that the diago-
nals of this hexagon are concurrent.
Solution:
This is an affine problem, so we can choose equiangular triangle

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A0 B 0 C 0 as an affine equivalence with the triangle ABC . By the hypoth-
esis, on B 0 C 0 , C 0 A0 , A0 B 0 we have points in turn A1 , A2 ; B1 , B2 ; C1 , C2
such that:
B 0 A1 = A1 A2 = A2 C 0 = C 0 B1 = B1 B2 = B2 A0 = A0 C1 = C1 C2 =
C2 B 0 .

A0

C1 B2

I E
C2 B1
H F
G

B0 A1 A2 C0

We obtain the hexagon DEFGHI (see above figure). We need

to prove that two points D, G hold at midperpendicular of B 0 C 0 and
certainly this midperpendicular go over A0 .

Two triangles B 0 C 0 C2 and C 0 B 0 B1 are equal since B 0 C 0 is generic

line, Bb0 = Cb0 = 60o and B 0 C2 = C 0 B 2 (side-angle-side).

Thus B\ 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 B C = C\ 2 C B . We conclude that the triangle GB C
isosceles at G, so G belong to midperpendicular of B 0 C 0 .

Two triangles B 0 C 0 B2 and C 0 B 0 C1 are equal since B 0 C 0 is generic

line, Bb0 = Cb0 = 60o and B 0 C1 = C 0 B2 (side-angle-side).

We conclude that DB 0 C 0 isosceles at D since B\ 0 0 0 0

1C B .
2 B C = C\
Thus, D belong to midperpendicular of B 0 C 0 .

Similarly, we prove that E, H belong to midperpendicular of

A0 B 0 .
In the equiangular triangle A0 B 0 C 0 , these midperpendiculars are
concurrent, so the diagonals of hexagon DEF GHI are concurrent at a
point. This property still true with any triangle ABC that affine equiv-
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alence with equiangular triangle ABC .

Problem 2.

Given a parallelogram whose verticles are on an el-

lipse. Prove that the center of the parallelogram is just
center of the ellipse and the edges of the paralellogram are
parallel to two conjugate diametral lines of the ellipse.

Solution:
We choose a circle as an affine equivalence with ellipse. Then we
need to prove that parallelogram inscribable the circle is a rectangle.
Indeed, we assume that we have the parallelogram ABCD inscribable
the cirle that having center O (see figure).

A B

D C

One has:
Ab+ Cb = 180o
since these two inscribed angles are intercept overall circle. On the
other hand Ab = Cb since they are two opposite angles of a parallelo-
gram. Thus, Ab = Cb = 90o and ABCD is a rectangle. Then diagonals
AC, BD of the rectangle are diameters of the circle.

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 Hence, the center of rectangle is coincidence to center of the
circle. Now over center of the cirlce we draw diameters parallel in turn
with sides of the rectangle, then these diameters are orthogonal. Those
are conjugate diameters of the circle (since this diameter is a set of the
midpoints of chords which are parallel to that diameter).

When we use favorable affine method to change circle to given

ellipse, then the inscribed rectangle with the circle will changed to the
parallelogram that is inscribable in ellipse. Then the center of parallel-
ogram is coincidence to the intersect of two conjugate diameters of the
ellipse.

Problem 3.

Given a parallelogram whose edges are tangent to an

ellipse. Prove that the diagonals of the parallelogram are
conjugate diametral lines of the ellipse.

Solution:
We choose a circle as an affine equivalence with ellipse. Then
we can prove that the parallelogram which having sides are tangent to
the circle is a lozenge (Using this property: two tangent lines from a
point outside the circle are equal(*)). This lozenge having center that
is coincide the center of the circle. The diagonals of lozenge are just two
perpendicular diameters of the circle.

Thus, when we execute affine method to change the cirle to el-

lipse, then the lozenge will changed to parallelogram that having sides
tangent to the ellipse. Then two diagonals of the parallelogram will
change to two conjugate diameters of the ellipse.

(*)Subtitle: We suppose that the parallelogram ABCD having

sides AB, BC, CD, DA are tangent to the circle at E, F, G, H (see
figure).

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 A
a

E H

B O D

F G

One has:

AE = AH = a, BE = BF = b,

CF = CG = c, DH = DG = d,

AB = CD a + b = c + d
AD = BC a + db + c
2a + b + d = 2c + b + d

a = c
AB = BC = CD = DA.
b = d

Problem 4.
Let AB, CD be a pair of conjugate diametral lines of a
given ellipse. The tangent lines of the ellipse at A and C
intersect at M. Find the locus of M when AB and CD are
vary on ellipse.

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 Solution:

A0 M0

M10

D0 O0 C0

B0

We choose a cirlce having center O0 as an affine equivalence with

ellipse. Then the pair of conjugate diametral lines AB, CD of ellipse
become the pair of diametral lines A0 B 0 , C 0 D0 which perpendicular to
the cirlce having center O0 (see figure).

We can easily prove that the intersect M 0 of two tangent lines at

A0 and C 0 which are always at the same distance with center O0 of the
circle. When AB and CD vary on ellipse, then A0 B 0 and C 0 D0 vary on
the circle. We can prove that the geometrical
locus of points M 0 is the
circle having O0 has radius O0 M = O0 A0 2. Let M10 is the intersect of
O0 M 0 with the cirle having center O0 . We have:

(O0 M 0 M10 ) = 2 OM 0 = 2O0 M1
Hence, when we execute affine method that change the circle to given
ellipse, then the cirle having center O0 , radius O0 M 0 will become ellipse
homothetic
with given ellipse in the center homothetic transformation
2 (since affine method conversation ratio of three collinear points).

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 Problem 5. Given an ellipse whose diameter is AB .
On a half of the ellipse take two points M, N . Let C =
AM BN, D = AN BM . Prove that the direction of the line
CD is the conjugate direction of AB .
Solution:

C0

M0

N0

D0

A B0

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 We choose a circle having diameter A0 B 0 as an affine equivalence with
given ellipse. On a half of the circular we choose two points M 0 , N 0 . Let
C 0 = A0 M 0 BN, D0 = A0 N 0 B 0 N 0 . Consider the triangle A0 B 0 C 0 we
have A0 N 0 and B 0 M 0 are two heights and D0 is the orthocenter of trian-
gle A0 B 0 C 0 . Then C 0 D0 is height that starts from C 0 and perpendicular
to A0 B 0 . Thus, C 0 D0 is direction of conjugate line with the direction of
the diameter A0 B 0 .

Hence, when we execute affine method that change the circle

having diameter A0 B 0 to ellipse having diameter AB , two points M 0 , N 0
are change in turn to M, N on a half of the ellipse. Then two points
C, D are change in turn to C and D. We conclude that the direction of
CD is the conjugate direction with the direction of the diameter AB.

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