Triangle Height vs Median: Identifying Key Line Segments in ABC Triangle

Triangle Special Segments with Altitude and Median

ABC is a triangle.

Which of the lines is the height and which is the median?

AAABBBCCCDDDEEEXX

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Identify the height and the median
00:03 A height creates a right angle with the line it intersects
00:07 Therefore they are heights according to the given data
00:12 A median bisects the line it meets
00:15 Therefore BE is the median
00:18 This is the solution

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

ABC is a triangle.

Which of the lines is the height and which is the median?

AAABBBCCCDDDEEEXX

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we need to correctly identify the height and median in the triangle ABC ABC .

  • Step 1: Understand the Definitions
    The height (or altitude) from a vertex of a triangle is a segment that is perpendicular to the line containing the opposite side. The median from a vertex is a segment that joins the vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side.
  • Step 2: Apply Definitions to Diagram
    - Line AB AB connects vertex A A to vertex B B , forming a perpendicular segment to base BC BC . Hence, it is a height.
    - Line EB EB connects vertex A A to point E E , the midpoint, dividing segment BC BC into two equal parts, thus acting as a median.
  • Step 3: Match to Answer Choices
    Having sorted the segments as the height and the median, match our findings to the provided choices. The choice indicating that BC+AB BC + AB is the height and EB EB is the median is correct.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is BC+AB= BC + AB = height, EB= EB = median.

3

Final Answer

BC + AB = height,

EB = median

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Definition: Height is perpendicular from vertex to opposite side
  • Technique: Look for right angle markers (⊥) to identify heights
  • Check: Median connects vertex to midpoint, creating two equal segments ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Confusing height with median based on visual appearance
    Don't assume a line is a height just because it looks vertical = wrong identification! Height requires perpendicularity to the opposite side, not just visual orientation. Always check for right angle markers or perpendicular relationships.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Is DE side in one of the triangles?
AAABBBCCCDDDEEE

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How can I tell which line is the height?

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Look for a right angle marker (small square) where the line meets the opposite side. The height is always perpendicular to the base, forming a 90° angle.

What makes a line segment a median?

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A median connects a vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side. Look for equal marks on both segments created by the median - they should be the same length.

Can a line be both a height and a median?

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Yes! In isosceles triangles, the line from the vertex angle to the base can be both the height and median. But in most triangles, they're different lines.

Why does the diagram show point E on side BC?

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Point E marks the midpoint of side BC. Since BE BE connects vertex B to this midpoint, it's the median from vertex B to side AC.

What does 'BC + AB = height' mean in the answer?

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This notation means the perpendicular line from vertex A to the base BC forms the height. The answer combines the base BC with the perpendicular segment AB to identify the complete height relationship.

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