Euclidean geometry problems rephrased in terms of midpoints and point-reflections (Q2570239)

The Euler line theorem states that the centroid \(\mathcal{G}\) of the triangle \(ABC\) lies on the line segment joining the circumcenter \(\mathcal{O}\) and the orthocenter \(\mathcal{H}\) and divides it in the ratio \(1 : 2\). A generalized form is proved in an affine setting by \textit{E. Snapper} [Am. Math. Mon. 88, 196--198 (1981; Zbl 0456.51015)]. In the paper under review, the author shows that much less than affine geometry is needed to prove a generalization of the Euler line statement. The simple geometry within which the author proves such a statement (and three other statements in elementary Euclidean geometry) is based on a previous work by \textit{D. Vakarelov} [God. Sofij. Univ., Mat. Fak. 63, 121--166 (1970; Zbl 0209.24001)]. It consists of a set \(S\) and a binary operation \(\cdot\;\), where the elements of \(S\) are to be interpreted as \textit{points} and where \(A \cdot B\) is to stand for \textit{the reflection of \(A\) in \(B\)}. Equivalently, \(A \cdot B = C\) is interpreted to mean that \textit{\(B\) is the midpoint of \(AC\)}. The axioms to be satisfied are the simple and natural requirements (i) \(A \cdot A = A\), (ii) \((\forall A)(\forall B)(\exists^{=1}X) (B \cdot X = A)\), and (iii) \(((A \cdot B) \cdot C) \cdot D = ((A \cdot D) \cdot C) \cdot B\). Notions such as \textit{collinearity} and \textit{parallelism} can be defined within such an axiomatic system. The author places this contribution in the context of reverse or regressive analysis, first descibed by Pappus and later emphasized by Hilbert. This consists, vaguely, of finding minimal assumptions under which a certain statement holds.