Form 3 Mathematics – Quadrilateral – Classwork 2

Name: Simon Yim (9) Class: 3E

Mid-point Theorem & Intercept Theorem A

A. Mid-point Theorem
In ABC, if AD = DB and AE = EC, then
1
DE // BC and DE  BC .
2
B
B. (i) Intercept Theorem (for triangle)
In ABC, if AD = DB and DE // BC, then AE = EC.
C
(ii) (General) Intercept Theorem (for triangle)
AD  AE .
In ABC, if DE // BC, then  [i.e. the ratios are preserved by // lines.]
DB EC

[Intercept theorem can also be used in a set of parallel lines. Refer to textbook p.60.]

Summary
A

mid-pt. thm. intercept thm.

Conditions (1) ABC DE // BC
(2) AD = DB & AE = EC
Conclusions (1) BC // DE AD AE

(2) BC = 2DE DB EC B

Mid-point theorem can only be applied to triangles, while

there is no such limitation to intercept theorem. C

Example
In ABC,
∵ DE // BC,
AD AE
∴  (intercept thm.)
DB EC
12 x

8 10
x = 15
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 1. In the figure, ACF, ADG, BEH, CDE and FGH are straight lines. Find the values of the
unknowns x, y and z.

⸪ In △AFG, AC = CF and CD//FG (given)

⸫ AD = DG (Intercept Thm.)

⸪ AB//DE//GH (given) and AD = DG (proved)

⸫ BE = EH (Intercept Thm.)
⸫ 3x = x + 12
⸫x=6

⸪ In △AFG, AC = CF (given) and AD = DG (proved)

⸫ CD = ½(FG)
⸫ 2 = ½(2y)
⸫y=2

⸪ AB//DE and AD//BE (given)

⸫ ADEB is a parallelogram
⸫ DE = AB = y cm (opp. sides of //gram)
⸪ CE = CD + DE
⸫z=2+y=4

2. In the figure, ACE, BDF and EFG are straight lines. It

is given that AB // CD // EG, AC = 5 cm, CE = 2.5 cm
and BD = 6 cm.
(a) Find the length of DF.
area of BDG
(b) Find area of DFG .

(a) ⸪ AB//CD//EF and AC:CE = 5:2.5 = 2:1 (given)

⸫ BD:DF = 2:1 = 6:3 (Intercept Thm.)
⸫ DF = 3 cm

(b) Add a line, BZ, perpendicular to and between the three parallel lines, which intersects CD at
Y, and EF at Z.
⸪ AB//CD//EF (given) and BD:DF = 2:1 (proved)
⸫ BY:YZ = 2:1
Since the bases of △BDG and △DFG are on the same straight line, the two triangles have the
same height (h)
⸫ (area of △BDG)/(area of △DFG) = (½(BD)(h))/ (½(DF)(h)) = BD/DF = 2

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