Saturday, 27 January 2007

nt.number theory - A parametrization of Heronian triangles

Let a,b,c be integers which are the sides of a triangle with integral area, a so called Heronian triangle. This website attributes to Gauss the result that there must then exist integers m,n,p,q such that



a=mn(p2+q2)



b=(mp)2+(nq)2



c=(m+n)(mp2nq2)



(where I left out a 4pq factor designed to make the radius of the circumscribed circle integral as well). It's not hard to see that the triangle defined by these formulas is indeed Heronian, however I could neither prove nor find a reference for the fact that this parametrization is exhaustive.



Can someone do one of these two things?



Thanks!



(Note: I'm communicating this question on behalf of my dad, who is really the person who looked into that but is not easily capable of asking it himself over here. I may be slow to respond on his behalf if questions come up).

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