ABCD is a quadrilateral in which P, Q, R and S are the mid-points of the sides AB, BC, CD and DA respectively. AC is a diagonal. Show that:
(i) \(\small SR || AC\) and \(SR = \frac{1}{2}AC\)
(ii) \(\small PQ = SR\)
(iii) \(\small PQRS\) is a parallelogram.
📘 Concept & Theory Theory and Concepts Used ›
- Midpoint Theorem: In a triangle, the line segment joining the midpoints of two sides is parallel to the third side and equal to half of the third side.
- If one pair of opposite sides of a quadrilateral are equal and parallel, then the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.
- Midpoint theorem is one of the most important geometric tools used in quadrilaterals, triangles and coordinate geometry.
🗺️ Solution Roadmap Step-by-step Plan ›
Apply midpoint theorem in triangle \(\small ACD\) to establish relation between \(\small SR\) and \(\small AC\).
Apply midpoint theorem in triangle \(\small ABC\) to establish relation between \(\small PQ\) and \(\small AC\).
Compare the two results to prove \(\small PQ = SR\).
Since opposite sides become equal and parallel, conclude that \(\small PQRS\) is a parallelogram.
📊 Graph / Figure Graph / Figure ›
📐 Proof Proof ›
\(\small P,\;Q,\;R,\;S\) are the mid-points of \(\small AB,\;BC,\;CD,\;DA\) respectively and diagonal \(\small AC\) is drawn.
\(\small SR \parallel AC \)
\(\small SR=\frac{1}{2}AC \)
\(\small PQ=SR \)
\(\small PQRS \text{ is a parallelogram} \)
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Part (i) - Prove that \(\small SR || AC\) and \(\small SR=\frac{1}{2}AC\)
- Consider triangle \(ACD\).
- Since \(\small S\) is the midpoint of \(\small AD\),\[\small AS = SD\]
- Since \(\small R\) is the midpoint of \(\small CD\),\[\small CR = RD\]
- Therefore, points \(\small S\) and \(\small R\) are the midpoints of two sides of triangle \(\small ACD\).
- By the Midpoint Theorem,\[\small SR \parallel AC\] and \[\small SR = \frac{1}{2}AC\]
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Part - (ii)
Prove that \(\scriptsize PQ = SR\)
- Now consider triangle \(\small ABC\).
- Since \(\small P\) is the midpoint of \(\small AB\),\[\small AP = PB\]
- Since \(\small Q\) is the midpoint of \(\small BC\),\[\small BQ = Q\]
- Therefore, \(\small P\) and \(\small Q\) are the midpoints of two sides of triangle \(\small ABC\).
- Applying Midpoint Theorem,\[\small PQ \parallel AC\] and \[\small PQ = \frac{1}{2}AC\]
- From part (i),\[\small SR = \frac{1}{2}AC\]
- Therefore,\[\small PQ = SR\]
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Part (iii) - Prove that \(\small PQRS\) is a parallelogram
- From parts (i) and (ii),\[\small PQ \parallel AC\] and \[\small SR \parallel AC\]
- Since both \(PQ\) and \(SR\) are parallel to \(\small AC\),\[\small PQ \parallel SR\]
- Also from part (ii),\[\small PQ = SR\]
- Thus, one pair of opposite sides of quadrilateral \(\small PQRS\) are equal and parallel.
- Therefore,\[\small PQRS \text{ is a parallelogram}\]
🎯 Exam Significance Exam Significance ›
- This problem develops strong understanding of the Midpoint Theorem, which is frequently used in board examinations.
- Questions involving midpoint theorem and parallelogram properties are commonly asked in CBSE competency-based questions.
- The logical chain of proving parallelism, equality and then identifying a parallelogram is highly useful for Olympiads and entrance exams.
- This concept is also applied later in coordinate geometry and vector geometry.