26

52. How large can the sum of the angles of a spherical right triangle be?
Solution. Consider a lune with angle π2 . Now draw a very small arc across it near
one of its vertices producing a right triangle of area nearly equal to π (for a unit
sphere). Hence the spherical excess A + B + C − π = π − ε. Hence the sum must
be less than 2π.
53. Let ABC be a spherical triangle whose mid-points of the sides are A′ , B ′ ,
and C ′ . If B ′ C ′ is a quadrant π2 , find the maximum value of A′ B ′ + A′ C ′ .
−→ − → − →
Solution. Let A , B , C be unit vectors from the centre of the sphere to the
−→ −→
−→ −→ A +B
vertices A, B, C of the spherical triangle. Then C ′ and B ′ are given by − → −→
A + B 
−
→ − → −
A +C → − → −
→ − →
and −
→ − → . We now have that cos B ′ C ′ = 0 = A + B · A + C =
A + C 
1 + cos a + cos b + cos c where a, b, c are the sides of ABC. Since this is symmetric
π
in A, B, C, A′ C ′ = A′ B ′ = , so that A′ C ′ + A′ B ′ = the constant π.
2
54. Let ABC be a triangle with centroid G. Determine the point P in the plane
of ABC such that AP · AG + BP · BG + CP · CG is a minimum and express this
minimum value in terms of the side lengths of ABC.
−
→ − → − → −
→
Solution. Let A , B , C , and P be vectors from G to A, B, C, and P , respectively.
Then

AP · AG
− + BP · BG + CP·CG
 →  −
→ − →  − → −
→ −→ −→ −
→ − →
= A  A − P  + B  B − P  + C  C − P 
→ −
− → − → − → − → −→ − → − → −→
≥ A · A −P +B · B −P +C · C −P
−→2 − →2 − → 2 −→ − → − → −→
= A + B + C −P · A +B +C
−→2 − →2 − → 2 → −
− → −→ →
−
= A + B + C since A + B + C = 0 .

a4(m2 + m2 + m2 )
b c (a2 + b2 + c2 )
Hence the minimum is = , and is
9 3
attained when P coincides with G (ma is the median from A, etc.).
Comment. This was a short-listed problem for the 2001 IMO. It was eliminated
after I gave the above Quickie solution.