Guided discovery of the nine-point circle theorem and its proof

摘要

The nine-point circle theorem is one of the most beautiful and surprising theorems in Euclidean geometry. It establishes an existence of a circle passing through nine points, all of which are related to a single triangle. This paper describes a set of instructional activities that can help students discover the nine-point circle theorem through investigation in a dynamic geometry environment, and consequently prove it using a method of guided discovery. The paper concludes with a variety of suggestions for the ways in which the whole set of activities can be implemented in geometry classrooms.%Nine-point circle theorem; dynamic geometry; investigative activities; structured proof; guided discovery