Difference between revisions of "Ptolemy's Theorem"

Revision as of 09:30, 17 November 2007

Ptolemy's Theorem gives a relationship between the side lengths and the diagonals of a cyclic quadrilateral; it is the equality case of the Ptolemy Inequality. Ptolemy's Theorem frequently shows up as an intermediate step in problems involving inscribed figures.

Definition

Given a cyclic quadrilateral $ABCD$ with side lengths ${a},{b},{c},{d}$ and diagonals ${e},{f}$ :

$ac+bd=ef$ .

Proof

Given cyclic quadrilateral $ABCD,$ extend $CD$ to $P$ such that $\angle BAC=\angle DAP.$

Since quadrilateral $ABCD$ is cyclic, $m\angle ABC+m\angle ADC=180^\circ .$ However, $\angle ADP$ is also supplementary to $\angle ADC,$ so $\angle ADP=\angle ABC$ . Hence, $\triangle ABC \sim \triangle ADP$ by AA similarity and $\frac{AB}{AD}=\frac{BC}{DP}\implies DP=\frac{(AD)(BC)}{(AB)}.$

Now, note that $\angle ABD=\angle ACD$ (subtend the same arc) and $\angle BAC+\angle CAD=\angle DAP+\angle CAD \implies \angle BAD=\angle CAP,$ so $\triangle BAD\sim \triangle CAP.$ This yields $\frac{AD}{AP}=\frac{BD}{CP}\implies CP=\frac{(AP)(BD)}{(AD)}.$

However, $CP= CD+DP.$ Substituting in our expressions for $CP$ and $DP,$ $\frac{(AC)(BD)}{(AB)}=CD+\frac{(AD)(BC)}{(AB)}.$ Multiplying by $AB$ yields $(AC)(BD)=(AB)(CD)+(AD)(BC)$ .

Problems

Equilateral Triangle Identity

Let $\triangle ABC$ be an equilateral triangle. Let $P$ be a point on minor arc $AB$ of its circumcircle. Prove that $PC=PA+PB$ .

Solution: Draw $PA$ , $PB$ , $PC$ . By Ptolemy's Theorem applied to quadrilateral $APBC$ , we know that $PC\cdot AB=PA\cdot BC+PB\cdot AC$ . Since $AB=BC=CA=s$ , we divide both sides of the last equation by $s$ to get the result: $PC=PA+PB$ .

Regular Heptagon Identity

In a regular heptagon ABCDEFG, prove that: 1/AB = 1/AC + 1/AD.

Solution: Let ABCDEFG be the regular heptagon. Consider the quadrilateral ABCE. If a, b, and c represent the lengths of the side, the short diagonal, and the long diagonal respectively, then the lengths of the sides of ABCE are a, a, b and c; the diagonals of ABCE are b and c, respectively.

Now, Ptolemy's Theorem states that ab + ac = bc, which is equivalent to 1/a=1/b+1/c.

1991 AIME Problems/Problem 14

A hexagon is inscribed in a circle. Five of the sides have length $81$ and the sixth, denoted by $\overline{AB}$ , has length $31$ . Find the sum of the lengths of the three diagonals that can be drawn from $A$ .

Solution

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 However, <math>CP= CD+DP.</math> Substituting in our expressions for  <math>CP</math> and  <math>DP,</math>  <math> \frac{(AC)(BD)}{(AB)}=CD+\frac{(AD)(BC)}{(AB)}.</math> Multiplying by <math>AB</math> yields  <math>(AC)(BD)=(AB)(CD)+(AD)(BC)</math>.
-== Example ==
+== Problems ==
+=== Equilateral Triangle Identity ===
+Let <math>\triangle ABC</math> be an equilateral triangle. Let <math>P</math> be a point on minor arc <math>AB</math> of its circumcircle. Prove that <math>PC=PA+PB</math>.
+Solution: Draw <math>PA</math>, <math>PB</math>, <math>PC</math>. By Ptolemy's Theorem applied to quadrilateral <math>APBC</math>, we know that <math>PC\cdot AB=PA\cdot BC+PB\cdot AC</math>. Since <math>AB=BC=CA=s</math>, we divide both sides of the last equation by <math>s</math> to get the result: <math>PC=PA+PB</math>.
+=== Regular Heptagon Identity ===
 In a regular heptagon ''ABCDEFG'', prove that: ''1/AB = 1/AC + 1/AD''.
@@ Line 24: / Line 29: @@
 Now, Ptolemy's Theorem states that ''ab + ac = bc'', which is equivalent to ''1/a=1/b+1/c''.
+=== 1991 AIME Problems/Problem 14 ===
+A hexagon is inscribed in a circle. Five of the sides have length <math>81</math> and the sixth, denoted by <math>\overline{AB}</math>, has length <math>31</math>. Find the sum of the lengths of the three diagonals that can be drawn from <math>A</math>.
+[[1991_AIME_Problems/Problem_14#Solution|Solution]]
 == See also ==

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