Triangle Median and Height: Identifying Side Construction in Geometric Diagram

Median and Height Identification with Perpendicular Diagrams

Look at the triangle in the diagram below.

To which side is the median and the height drawn?

AAABBBCCCDDDEEE

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Determine which side the median and the height are drawn to in the following triangle
00:03 AE bisects BC according to the given data
00:08 AE is perpendicular to BC (forms a right angle with it)
00:11 This is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Look at the triangle in the diagram below.

To which side is the median and the height drawn?

AAABBBCCCDDDEEE

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll observe features of the diagram and follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Inspect the lines depicted in the triangle from the diagram.
  • Step 2: Define geometric terms: median and height.
  • Step 3: Identify which side of the triangle these lines reference.

Now, let's apply these steps:
Step 1: The diagram shows triangle ABC ABC with a line drawn from point A A to the base BC BC . Note that there is an apparent point E E where this line intersects BC BC perpendicularly.
Step 2: The line AE AE can be considered both the height and the median:

  • As a height, AE AE is perpendicular to the base BC BC .
  • For the median, this line also bisects the segment BC BC at point E E , showing it divides opposite side BC BC into two equal halves, hence making it the midpoint. This confirms the secondary condition of being a median.

Step 3: Conclude that line AE AE acts on the side BC BC as evidenced by its perpendicular nature and midpoint bisecting property from the diagram.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is that both the median and the height are drawn to side BC BC .

3

Final Answer

BC

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Definition: Median connects vertex to midpoint of opposite side
  • Height Recognition: Look for perpendicular symbol (right angle) at base
  • Verification: Both median and height target the same side BC ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Confusing which side the lines are drawn TO versus FROM
    Don't identify the side where the line starts (vertex A) = wrong answer! The line is drawn FROM vertex A but TO the opposite side. Always identify the side that the median/height intersects or meets.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Can a triangle have two right angles?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How can I tell if a line is both a median and height?

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Look for two clues: a perpendicular symbol (right angle) showing it's a height, and point E being the midpoint of BC showing it's a median. When both exist, the triangle is isosceles!

What's the difference between 'drawn to' and 'drawn from' a side?

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'Drawn to' means which side the line touches or intersects. 'Drawn from' means which vertex the line starts at. The question asks which side it's drawn to, so focus on where the line meets the base.

Why does the diagram show point D on side AC?

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Point D appears to be part of another construction line, but it's not relevant to this question. Focus only on the line from A to E, which clearly shows the median and height to side BC.

How do I know E is the midpoint of BC?

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The diagram shows equal tick marks on segments BE and EC, indicating they have equal length. This visual cue tells us E divides BC into two equal parts, making AE a median.

Could the answer be side AC instead?

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No! The line from A clearly goes downward to the base BC, not to side AC. Remember, a median/height from vertex A must go to the opposite side, which is BC.

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