Prove that the line segment joining the midpoints of the diagonals of a trapezium is parallel to the parallel sides of the trapezium and is equal to half the difference of the lengths of the parallel sides.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Let $ABCD$ be a trapezium with $AB \parallel DC$. Let $P$ and $Q$ be the midpoints of the diagonals $AC$ and $BD$ respectively.
$1$. Join $AQ$ and extend it to meet $DC$ at point $E$.
$2$. In $\triangle ABQ$ and $\triangle EDQ$:
- $\angle ABQ = \angle EDQ$ (Alternate interior angles as $AB \parallel DE$)
- $BQ = DQ$ ($Q$ is the midpoint of $BD$)
- $\angle AQB = \angle EQD$ (Vertically opposite angles)
By $ASA$ congruence criterion,$\triangle ABQ \cong \triangle EDQ$.
$3$. Therefore,$AQ = EQ$ and $AB = DE$ (by $CPCT$).
$4$. In $\triangle ACE$,$P$ is the midpoint of $AC$ and $Q$ is the midpoint of $AE$ (since $AQ = EQ$).
$5$. By the Midpoint Theorem,$PQ \parallel CE$ and $PQ = \frac{1}{2} CE$.
$6$. Since $CE = DC - DE = DC - AB$,we have $PQ = \frac{1}{2} (DC - AB)$.
$7$. Thus,$PQ$ is parallel to the parallel sides $AB$ and $DC$ and its length is half the difference of the lengths of the parallel sides.

Explore More

Similar Questions

The quadrilateral formed by joining the mid-points of the sides of a quadrilateral $PQRS,$ taken in order,is a rhombus,if

In quadrilateral $ABCD$,$AC = BD$ and $AC \perp BD$. If $P, Q, R$ and $S$ are the midpoints of the sides $AB, BC, CD$ and $DA$ respectively,prove that $PQRS$ is a square.

The figure obtained by joining the mid-points of the sides of a rhombus,taken in order,is

In quadrilateral $PQRS$,the bisectors of $\angle P$ and $\angle Q$ intersect at $M$. Prove that $\angle S + \angle R = 2 \angle PMQ$.

$P$ is the mid-point of the side $CD$ of a parallelogram $ABCD$. $A$ line through $C$ parallel to $PA$ intersects $AB$ at $Q$ and $DA$ produced at $R$. Prove that $DA = AR$ and $CQ = QR$.

Difficult
View Solution

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo