Ceva's Theorem

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Ceva's Theorem is an algebraic statement regarding the lengths of cevians in a triangle.


Statement

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A necessary and sufficient condition for AD, BE, CF, where D, E, and F are points of the respective side lines BC, CA, AB of a triangle ABC, to be concurrent is that


$BD * CE * AF = +DC * EA * FB$


where all segments in the formula are directed segments.

Example

Suppose AB, AC, and BC have lengths 13, 14, and 15. If $\frac{AF}{FB} = \frac{2}{5}$ and $\frac{CE}{EA} = \frac{5}{8}$. Find BD and DC.

If $BD = x$ and $DC = y$, then $10x = 40y$, and ${x + y = 15}$. From this, we find $x = 12$ and $y = 3$.

See also