Difference between revisions of "Butterfly Theorem"

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==Proof==
 
==Proof==
{{solution}}
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This simple proof uses projective geometry.
 
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First we note that <math>(AP, AB; AD, AQ) = (CP, CB; CD, CQ).</math>
 
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Therefore,
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<cmath>\frac{(PX)(MQ)}{(PQ)(MX)} = \frac{(PM)(YQ)}{(PQ)(YM)}.</cmath>
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Since <math>MQ = PM</math>,
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<cmath>\frac{MX}{YM} = \frac{XP}{QY}.</cmath>
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Moreover,
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<cmath>\frac{MX + PX}{YM + QY} = 1,</cmath>
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so <math>MX = YM,</math> as desired.
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<math>\blacksquare</math>.
  
 
Link to a good proof :  
 
Link to a good proof :  
  
 
http://agutie.homestead.com/FiLEs/GeometryButterfly.html
 
http://agutie.homestead.com/FiLEs/GeometryButterfly.html
 
Also another nice proof by Darij Grinberg can be found here:
 
 
http://www.cip.ifi.lmu.de/~grinberg/Butterfly.zip
 
 
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==

Revision as of 18:30, 31 May 2011

Let $M$ be the midpoint of chord $PQ$ of a circle, through which two other chords $AB$ and $CD$ are drawn. $AD$ and $BC$ intersect chord $PQ$ at $X$ and $Y$, respectively. The Butterfly Theorem states that $M$ is the midpoint of $XY$.

528px-Butterfly theorem.svg.png

Proof

This simple proof uses projective geometry. First we note that $(AP, AB; AD, AQ) = (CP, CB; CD, CQ).$ Therefore, \[\frac{(PX)(MQ)}{(PQ)(MX)} = \frac{(PM)(YQ)}{(PQ)(YM)}.\] Since $MQ = PM$, \[\frac{MX}{YM} = \frac{XP}{QY}.\] Moreover, \[\frac{MX + PX}{YM + QY} = 1,\] so $MX = YM,$ as desired. $\blacksquare$.

Link to a good proof :

http://agutie.homestead.com/FiLEs/GeometryButterfly.html

See also

Midpoint