Elementary Geometry for College Students (5th Edition)

Published by Brooks Cole
ISBN 10: 1439047901
ISBN 13: 978-1-43904-790-3

Chapter 10 - Review Exercises - Page 491: 32

Answer

When the midpoints of the sides of a parallelogram are connected, the shape formed is a parallelogram.

Work Step by Step

We draw the base of the parallelogram on the x-axis, with a vertex at (0,0). We define the midpoints as follows: $ B: (b,c) \\ C: (a+2b,2c) \\ D: (2a+b,c) \\E: (a,0)$ We use the equation for slope: $m = \frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}$ We find: $m_1 = \frac{2c-c}{2b+a-b}=\frac{c}{b+a}$ $m_2 = \frac{2c-c}{a+2b-2a-b}=\frac{b-a}{c}$ $m_3 = \frac{c-0}{2a+b-a}=\frac{c}{b+a}$ $m_4 =\frac{c}{b-a}$ We see that the slopes of opposite sides are equal, making opposite sides parallel and making the shape a parallelogram.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.