Difference between revisions of "Cevian"

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==Definition==
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A '''cevian''' is a [[line segment]] or [[ray]] that extends from one [[vertex]] of a [[polygon]] (usually a triangle) to the opposite side (or the extension of that side).  In the below diagram, <math>AD</math> is a cevian.
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<asy>
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draw((0,0)--(100,0)--(10,50)--(0,0));
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draw((10,50)--(70,0));
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dot((10,50));
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label("$A$",(10,50),N);
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dot((0,0));
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label("$B$",(0,0),SW);
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dot((100,0));
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label("$C$",(100,0),SE);
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dot((70,0));
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label("$D$",(70,0),S);
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</asy>
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==Special Cevians==
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* A [[triangle median|median]] is a cevian that divides the opposite side into two congruent lengths.
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* An [[altitude]] is a cevian that is perpendicular to the opposite side.
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* An [[angle bisector]] is a cevian that divides the angle the cevian came from in half.
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==Finding Lengths==
  
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<asy>
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draw((0,0)--(100,0)--(10,50)--(0,0));
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draw((10,50)--(70,0));
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dot((10,50));
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label("$A$",(10,50),N);
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dot((0,0));
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label("$B$",(0,0),SW);
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dot((100,0));
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label("$C$",(100,0),SE);
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dot((70,0));
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label("$D$",(70,0),S);
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</asy>
  
A '''cevian''' is a [[line segment]] or [[ray]] that extends from one vertex of a [[triangle]] to the opposite side (or the extension of that side)[[Triangle median|Medians]], [[Altitude|altitudes]], and [[angle bisector]]s are all examples of cevians.
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In the diagram, note that <math>\cos{ \angle ADB} = -\cos{ \angle ADC}</math> because <math>\angle ADB + \angle ADC = 180^\circ</math>Thus,
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<cmath>\frac{AD^2 + DB^2 - AB^2}{2 \cdot AD \cdot DB} = -\frac{AD^2 + DC^2 - AC^2}{2 \cdot AD \cdot DC}</cmath>
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
 
* [[Ceva's Theorem]]
 
* [[Ceva's Theorem]]
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* [[Angle Bisector Theorem]]
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* [[Stewart's Theorem]]
  
* [[Stewart's Theorem]]
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{{stub}}
  
* [[Angle Bisector Theorem]]
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[[Category:Definition]]
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[[Category:Geometry]]

Latest revision as of 00:35, 19 June 2018

Definition

A cevian is a line segment or ray that extends from one vertex of a polygon (usually a triangle) to the opposite side (or the extension of that side). In the below diagram, $AD$ is a cevian.

[asy] draw((0,0)--(100,0)--(10,50)--(0,0)); draw((10,50)--(70,0)); dot((10,50)); label("$A$",(10,50),N); dot((0,0)); label("$B$",(0,0),SW); dot((100,0)); label("$C$",(100,0),SE); dot((70,0)); label("$D$",(70,0),S); [/asy]

Special Cevians

  • A median is a cevian that divides the opposite side into two congruent lengths.
  • An altitude is a cevian that is perpendicular to the opposite side.
  • An angle bisector is a cevian that divides the angle the cevian came from in half.

Finding Lengths

[asy] draw((0,0)--(100,0)--(10,50)--(0,0)); draw((10,50)--(70,0)); dot((10,50)); label("$A$",(10,50),N); dot((0,0)); label("$B$",(0,0),SW); dot((100,0)); label("$C$",(100,0),SE); dot((70,0)); label("$D$",(70,0),S); [/asy]

In the diagram, note that $\cos{ \angle ADB} = -\cos{ \angle ADC}$ because $\angle ADB + \angle ADC = 180^\circ$. Thus, \[\frac{AD^2 + DB^2 - AB^2}{2 \cdot AD \cdot DB} = -\frac{AD^2 + DC^2 - AC^2}{2 \cdot AD \cdot DC}\]

See also

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