Menelaus' Theorem
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Menelaus' Theorem deals with the collinearity of points on each of the three sides (extended when necessary) of a triangle. It is named for Menelaus of Alexandria.
Statement
A necessary and sufficient condition for points on the respective sides (or their extensions) of a triangle to be collinear is that
where all segments in the formula are directed segments.
Proof
Draw a line parallel to through to intersect at :
Multiplying the two equalities together to eliminate the factor, we get:
Proof Using Barycentric coordinates
Disclaimer: This proof is not nearly as elegant as the above one. It uses a bash-type approach, as barycentric coordinate proofs tend to be.
Suppose we give the points the following coordinates:
Note that this says the following:
The line through and is given by:
which yields, after simplification,
Plugging in the coordinates for yields . From we have Likewise, and
Substituting these values yields which simplifies to
QED