OFFSET
1,2
COMMENTS
This angle is the maximal vertex angle that allows an isosceles triangle to be bisected the most efficient way by means of a circular arc.
The problem of "efficiently" [=least length of boundary] bisecting a triangle was stated and solved for an equilateral triangle by Paul Halmos in his book "Problems for Mathematicians, Young and Old". The angle 'a' given here is the limit vertex angle that separates two ways of bisecting an isosceles triangle: if the vertex angle is less than 'a', then the most efficient way is to bisect the triangle with a circular arc centered on the vertex; if the angle is greater than 'a', then the most efficient way is to use the altitude drawn from the vertex. It can be noticed that the equation cos(a/2) = sqrt(a)*sqrt(cos(a/2))*sqrt(sin(a/2)) equating altitude and arc length (if length of sides = 1), simplifies to a = cot(a/2) if 0<a<pi is assumed.
REFERENCES
Paul Halmos, "Problems for Mathematicians, Young and Old", Dolciani Mathematical Expositions, 1991.
LINKS
EXAMPLE
1.3065423741888... or in degrees : 74.859363796...
MATHEMATICA
RealDigits[a /. FindRoot[a == Cot[a/2], {a, Pi/3}, WorkingPrecision -> 100]][[1]]
CROSSREFS
KEYWORD
nonn,cons
AUTHOR
Jean-François Alcover, May 02 2011
STATUS
approved