Question

in an equilateral triangle prove that the centroid and circumcentre of the triangle coincide

Answer 1

GIVEN: An equilateral triangle ABC, Medians AP, BQ, &CR. Their point of concurrency is O, which is the centroid of the triangle.

TO PROVE THAT: Centroid O is the circumcentre of the triangle ABC.

If we prove that centroid O is the circumcentre of the triangle, then it automatically becomes the centre of the circumcircle.

PROOF: Since AP is median, so P is mid point of BC.

ie, BP = PC.

AB = AC ( as triangle ABC is equilateral)

AP=AP ( common side)

Hence triangle ABP is congruent to ACP( by SSS congruence criterion)

=> angle APB = angle angleAPC ( corresponding parts of congruent triangles)

But their sum = 180°

So, each angle has to be 90°.

That shows that AP is perpendicular bisector of BC.

Similarly, pyove that BQ & CR are perpendicular bisectors of AC & AB respectively.

So now, The point of concurrency ‘O' of these perpendicular bisectors becomes circumcentre of the triangle. ( as circumcentre is the point of concurrency of 3 perpendicular bisectors of the sides of the triangle). And this centre is also the centre of circum circle.

This way centroid O coincides with circumcentre O…

[Hence Proved]

Answer 2

search

HOMEWORK HELP > MATH

In an equilateral triangle, prove that the centroid & the circumcentre of the triangle coincide.

print Print 

document PDF 

list Cite

Expert Answers

VALENTIN68 | CERTIFIED EDUCATOR

See the attached figure.

(ABC are triangle vertices, DEF are midpoints on triagle sides and O is the intersection of medians)

In triangles ABD and ACD

BD= CD (by median definition)

AD= AD (common segment)

angles ABC= ACB (equlateral triangle)

results triangles ABD=ACD

results angle BAD=CAD (=60/2=30 degree)

By smilarity all angles BAD=CAD=CBE=BCF=ACF=BCF(=30 deg)

We know angle ABC=ACD=BAC (=60 deg) because the triangle is eqilateral

Results angles ADC=ADB=BEA=BEC=CFA=CFB (=90 deg)

Now the triagle is equilateral it means all medians are equal

AD=BE=CF

Now we demonstrate triangles OBD=OCD

OD=OD (common degment)

CD=BD (by definition of median)

angle ODC=ODB (=90 deg)

Results OB=OC and by similarity

OB=OC=OE=OA=OF

It means circumcenter = centroid (qvod erat demonstratum)