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11.4: Defect

  • Page ID
    23650
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    The defect of triangle \(\triangle ABC\) is defined as

    \(\text{defect} (\triangle ABC) := \pi - |\measuredangle ABC| - |\measuredangle BCA| - |\measuredangle CAB|.\)

    Note that Theorem 11.3.1 states that the defect of any triangle in a neutral plane has to be nonnegative. According to Theorem 7.4.1, any triangle in the Euclidean plane has zero defect.

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Let \(\triangle ABC\) be a nondegenerate triangle in the neutral plane. Assume \(D\) lies between \(A\) and \(B\). Show that

    \(\text{defect} (\triangle ABC) = \text{defect} (\triangle ADC) + \text{defect} (\triangle DBC).\)

    截屏2021-02-23 上午10.49.18.png

    Hint

    Note that \(|\measuredangle ADC| + |\measuredangle CDB| = \pi\). Then apply the definition of the defect.

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)

    Let \(ABC\) be a nondegenerate triangle in the neutral plane. Suppose \(X\) is the reflection of \(C\) across the midpoint \(M\) of \([AB]\). Show that

    \(\text{defect} (\triangle ABC) = \text{defect} (\triangle AXC).\)

    截屏2021-02-23 上午10.50.45.png

    Hint

    Show that \(\triangle AMX \cong \triangle BMC\). Apply Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\) to \(\triangle ABC\) and \(\triangle AXC\).

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{3}\)

    Suppose that \(ABCD\) is a rectangle in a neutral plane; that is, \(ABCD\) is a quadrangle with all right angles. Show that \(AB = CD\).

    Hint

    截屏2021-02-23 上午10.55.37.png

    Show that \(B\) and \(D\) lie on the opposite sides of \((AC)\). Conclude that

    \(\text{defect} (\triangle ABC) + \text{defect} (\triangle CDA) = 0.\)

    Apply Theorem \(\PageIndex{1}\) to show that

    \(\text{defect} (\triangle ABC) = \text{defect} (\triangle CDA = 0\)

    Use it to show that \(\meauredangle CAB = \measuredangle ACD\) and \(\measuredangle ACB = \measuredangle CAD\). By ASA, \(\triangle ABC \cong \triangle CDA\), and, in particular, \(AB =CD\).

    (Alternatively, you may apply Exercise 11.3.1)

    Advanced Exercise \(\PageIndex{4}\)

    Show that if a neutral plane has a rectangle, then all its triangles have zero defect.


    This page titled 11.4: Defect is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Anton Petrunin via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.