EMT 668
Final Project IV
by
Beth Richichi

Consider the triangle ABC. The point P has been selected inside of the triangle. The lines AD, BE, and CF have been constructed so that they all are incident with the point P and that they each have been extended to their intersections with the opposite sides in points D, E, and F respectively.

Move the point P to different locations inside the triangle ABC. To do this, view the GSP construction by clicking here. Notice that as P is moved to various locations inside the triangle, the ratio of (AF*BD*EC) to (FB*DC*EA) will always be equal to one.

To prove this, let's examine several equivalence relations:
We see that and since Triangle PBD is similar to Triangle HBC and Triangle PCD is similar to Triangle GCB. Since Triangle GFB is similar to Triangle PFA and Triangle HEC is similar to Triangle PEA, and . From looking at the similar triangles, we see that , ,, and .
From the first two ratios, . Thus, .
Hence . QED.


Let's explore this ratio with various triangles:




To view the GSP construction of the isosceles triangle, click here.




To view the GSP construction of the obtuse triangle, click here.





To see the GSP construction of this, click here.


The ratio of (AF*BD*EC) to (FB*DC*EA) will always be equal to one!




When AF=FB, BD=DC, and CE=EA, the ratio of the area of Triangle ABC to the area of Triange FED will always be equal to one.

Now let's consider the case where P is outside the triangle:

Move the point P to different locations outside the triangle ABC. To do this, view the GSP construction by clicking here.


To return to Beth Richichi's homepage, click here.