Question

prove that a lie divides two sides of a triangle proportionally is parallel to the third side. be sure to create and name the appropriate geometric figures.

Answer 1

Have you started the problem?

Answer 2

if someome can help me work throught this that would be great?(: pleasee

Answer 3

No i havent

Answer 4

Have you started any bit of it?

Answer 5

no, i'm not sure where to even start

Answer 6

When it comes to Geometry, you always want to start with a diagram...

Answer 7

okay

Answer 8

So, we start with triangle ABC.

Next, we draw that line that *looks* parallel to side BC (but we have to *prove* that it really *is* parallel).

Answer 9

Tell me what you know so far.

Answer 10

so we have to prove that DE and BC are parallel

Answer 11

Yeah, that's our GOAL. But tell me all that has been GIVEN so far.

Answer 12

i'm sorry if i don't give very good responses I'm terrible at geometry, i'm struggling
to even pass the class/;

Answer 13

It's fine--no worries.

Answer 14

And you're exactly right--you ARE trying to prove that the two lines are parallel. But I also want to know the info you've been given...

Answer 15

i'm not sure what you mean?

Answer 16

The way you want to proceed is to write two things:
1.) "GIVEN:"
and
2.) "GOAL:"

Ok?

Answer 17

okay

Answer 18

Next to "GIVEN" you want to list all the information that the problem gives you to work with and next to "GOAL" you write the goal of the problem (i.e. to prove that the lines are parallel).

Answer 19

that was the whole question, it doesn't give me any information

Answer 20

Yeah, I know--the "information" is locked in the question itself!

Answer 21

the question says" prove that a line that divides two sides of a triangle proportionality is parallel to the third side."

Answer 22

So, some of the things you know from the question are that:
1.) The figure is a triangle
2.) a line passes through the triangle
3.) the line proportionally divides the two sides of the triangle

Answer 23

Sorry if I'm a little confusing....

Answer 24

its okay, i just don't understand any of this/:

Answer 25

So far you have this:

GIVEN: Line DE proportionally divides sides AB and AC

GOAL: Prove that line DE and BC are parallel.

Answer 26

Got it?

Now, do you know what "proportionally divides" means?

Answer 27

yes

Answer 28

Ok, great. What does it mean?

Answer 29

we figure out how to prove it?

Answer 30

Our "GIVEN" statement says that:
"Line DE proportionally divides sides AB and AC"
So now I'm asking you, "What does 'proportionally divides' mean?"

Answer 31

it cuts the triangle in half equaly

Answer 32

It's really important to know what all the terms mean in Geometry. In fact, for me, the hardest part was memorizing the definitions.

Use your textbook -- I guarantee there is a definition in there somewhere for proportionally divides.

Answer 33

i do't have a textbook, i got ot Great Lakes Cyber Academy

Answer 34

In this picture, all of the different lines are "proportionally dividing" segments AB and AC.

Answer 35

So it's not just "cutting in half"...

Answer 36

okay

Answer 37

So what are you using to learn Geometry? Do you have notes or videos or something like that?

Answer 38

By the way, here is something that may help you:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/geometry-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.navId-323257.html?print=true

Answer 39

It contains some useful advise, etc.

Answer 40

they give me text to read and try to interpret

Answer 41

I'm just trying to figure this out because I still have two more exams to take before midnight tonight. and I'm already tired, because I've been working on my geometry exam all day

Answer 42

Sorry, my computer just had a problem...

Answer 43

Just a sec...

Answer 44

okay