Simpler Proofs
Sunday, 8 September 2019
Sunday, 28 August 2016
Geometric Proof of Parallelogram Law
Parallelogram Law: The sum of the squares of the lengths of the four sides of a parallelogram equals the sum of the squares of the lengths of the two diagonals.
Though this law is taught and proved using vectors, trigonometry and sometimes co-ordinate geometry, I did not come across any geometric proofs.
So I have written down the below proof using simple geometry for someone who is new to trigonometry or vectors.
In the given Parallelogram ABCD, draw perpendicular at B to CD meeting at F. Similarly draw a perpendicular at C to AB.
Extend AB to meet the perpendicular at E. (FC = BE)
AEC, BEC, BFD and BCF form right angled triangles.
From Pythagoreas Theorem,
AE 2 + CE 2 = AC 2
AB 2 + BE 2 + 2 AB . BE + CE 2 = AC 2
BE 2 + CE 2 = BC 2
AB 2 + BC 2 + 2 AB . BE = AC 2 ...............(1)
DF 2 + BF 2 = BD 2
CD 2 + FC 2 - 2 CD . FC + BF 2 = BD 2
FC 2 + BF 2 = BC 2
CD 2 + BC 2 - 2 CD . FC = BD 2 ...............(2)
ADDING (1) AND (2)
AB 2 + BC 2 + CD 2 + DA 2 = AC 2 + BD 2
(CD= AB, BC=AD)
hope this helps!!!
Though this law is taught and proved using vectors, trigonometry and sometimes co-ordinate geometry, I did not come across any geometric proofs.
So I have written down the below proof using simple geometry for someone who is new to trigonometry or vectors.
Extend AB to meet the perpendicular at E. (FC = BE)
AEC, BEC, BFD and BCF form right angled triangles.
From Pythagoreas Theorem,
AE 2 + CE 2 = AC 2
AB 2 + BE 2 + 2 AB . BE + CE 2 = AC 2
BE 2 + CE 2 = BC 2
AB 2 + BC 2 + 2 AB . BE = AC 2 ...............(1)
DF 2 + BF 2 = BD 2
CD 2 + FC 2 - 2 CD . FC + BF 2 = BD 2
FC 2 + BF 2 = BC 2
CD 2 + BC 2 - 2 CD . FC = BD 2 ...............(2)
ADDING (1) AND (2)
AB 2 + BC 2 + CD 2 + DA 2 = AC 2 + BD 2
(CD= AB, BC=AD)
hope this helps!!!
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