Class Page
Of
Larousse Charlot
Proof Using
GeometerÕs Sketchpad
Using GeometerÕs Sketchpad, we are going to explore the
relationship between two triangles.
However, we going through the exploration from a proof approach so that
we justify our statements and conclusion.
To have our starting triangle, let us suppose that we have
three distinct noncollinear points A, B, and C such that we obtain the triangle
Æ ABC.
Noncollinear points
Æ ABC
Now, let the points D, E, F be midpoints of the segments AB,
BC, and AC respectively.
So, the segments AD Å DB, BE Å EC, AF Å FC.
From there we know that D, E, F are between the points AB,
BC, and AC, by axioms of betweenness.
If connected the three medians and make a triangle, we have
what is called a median triangle.
First, let us have the line segment of DE. DE is the mid segment of the triangle Æ ABC.
By definition of mid segment of triangle, we have
DE = ½ AC
Similarly,
EF = ½ AB
DF = ½ BC
From our observation here, we see that the triangles Æ ABC
and Æ DEF have a ration of 2:1.
Hence, the perimeters of the triangles would have the same ration.
When the length of each were measured, we obtained the following
However, the ratio of the area of the triangles is not
2:1. Why? Well, because the measurements will be
squared. Hence to get the right
ratio, the ratio, too, has to be squared.
So, the ratio for the area of the triangles is 4:1
So, we can state that the triangles are congruent
proportionately. Therefore, if the
original triangle is an equilateral, the median triangle too will be an
equilateral triangle. The same
applies for isosceles, obtuse, and right triangle[1].