The midsegment of a trapezoid divides into two equal parts the two sides from which it extends and, in addition, is parallel to both bases of the trapezoid and measures half the length of these. Let's see the properties of the midsegment of a trapezoid in the following illustration:
If EF Midsegment then: AE=DE BF=CF AB∥EF∥DC EF=2AB+DC
We can demonstrate that there is a midsegment in a trapezoid if at least one of the following conditions is met:
If in a trapezoid there is a straight line that extends from the midpoint of one side to the midpoint of another side, we can determine that it is a midsegment and, therefore, it is parallel to both bases of the trapezoid and measures half the length of these.
If in a trapezoid there is a straight line that comes out of one side and is parallel to one of the bases of the trapezoid, we can determine that it is a midsegment and, therefore, it is parallel to both bases of the trapezoid, measures half the length of these two and also cuts the second side it touches in half.
Let's look at an example
Data:
AE=DE AB‖EF
To prove: BF=FC
Solution: According to the second rule of the theorem, if in the trapezoid, a straight line EF comes out from the midpoint of one of the sides - we know that: AE=DE and is also parallel to one of the bases of the trapezoid – Given that: AB‖EF we can determine that it is the mid-segment of the trapezoid. Consequently, we can determine that it also cuts through the midpoint of the other side it touches. That is to say: BF=FC
If you are interested in this article, you might also be interested in the following articles:
Midsegment
Midsegment of a triangle
Sum of the interior angles of a polygon
Angles in regular hexagons and octagons
Measure of an angle of a regular polygon
Sum of the exterior angles of a polygon
Relationships between angles and sides of a triangle
The relationship between the lengths of the sides of a triangle
Identification of an isosceles triangle
How is the area of a trapezoid calculated?
Symmetry in trapezoids
Diagonals of an isosceles trapezoid
How is the perimeter of a trapezoid calculated?
Characteristics and types of trapezoids
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Question 1
Is the dashed segment the midsegment of the isosceles trapezoid below?