Math 2.0

Geometry Triangles and circles Theorem

Ceva's theorem

Builds on TriangleLineCollinear points

Statement

Let ABCABC be a triangle in the Euclidean plane ℝ2\mathbb{R}^2. For collinear points XX, YY, ZZ with Z≠YZ \neq Y, let the signed ratio XZZY\frac{XZ}{ZY} be the real number λ\lambda with Z−X=λ (Y−Z)Z - X = \lambda\,(Y - Z). Let OO be a point that is not on the lines BCBC, CACA and ABAB. Suppose that the lines AOAO, BOBO and COCO meet the lines BCBC, CACA and ABAB at the points DD, EE and FF. Then AFFB⋅BDDC⋅CEEA=1.\frac{AF}{FB} \cdot \frac{BD}{DC} \cdot \frac{CE}{EA} = 1. Conversely, let DD, EE and FF be points of the lines BCBC, CACA and ABAB, different from the vertices, with this product equal to 11. Then the lines ADAD, BEBE and CFCF meet in one point or are all parallel.

Remarks

The signed ratio AFFB\frac{AF}{FB} is positive if FF is between AA and BB, and negative otherwise. The theorem uses only ratios of segments on one line. So it is true in each affine plane over each field. For the three medians, each ratio is 11. The converse then shows again that the medians meet in one point.

History

Giovanni Ceva published the theorem in 1678, in his work De lineis rectis. Yusuf al-Mu'taman ibn Hud, an 11th century king of Zaragoza, had proved it much earlier.

Reading path

To understand this page from the ground up, read these 4 pages in order. The foundations come first.

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Each page uses the pages above it. The colour of the bar on a box shows how strong the evidence is, and the box also gives it as text. The list has the same pages.
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  1. Collinear points concept
  2. Line concept
  3. Triangle concept
  4. Ceva's theorem statement

Further reading

  1. Web https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceva%27s_theorem, lead section
About this page
Tag0KN93VDSXA
URIm2://0KN93VDSXA
Kindstatement, theorem
WritingW1 stated
MSC51M04
StatusThis copy of the site has no build data. Run m2 status 0KN93VDSXA.
UsesTriangle, Line, Collinear points
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