Formulas & tables/Mathematics/Plane geometry/Thales's theorem (intercept theorem)

Thales's theorem (intercept theorem)

∣AB∣∣BC∣=∣A′B′∣∣B′C′∣\dfrac{|AB|}{|BC|}=\dfrac{|A'B'|}{|B'C'|}

Result unit: — (proporcja)

What it describes

Parallel lines cutting the arms of an angle cut off proportional segments on them.

Symbols

∣AB∣,∣BC∣|AB|,|BC|
segments on one arm
∣A′B′∣,∣B′C′∣|A'B'|,|B'C'|
segments on the other arm

Where it comes from

Parallel lines cutting the arms of an angle divide them into proportional segments. This is the basis of similarity and scaling of figures.

When to use it

Dividing segments, similarity of triangles, geometric constructions.

Example

On one arm ∣AB∣=4|AB|=4, ∣BC∣=6|BC|=6; on the other ∣A′B′∣=2|A'B'|=2. Find ∣B′C′∣|B'C'|.
Substitution46=2∣B′C′∣\dfrac{4}{6}=\dfrac{2}{|B'C'|}.
Result∣B′C′∣=6⋅24=3|B'C'|=\dfrac{6\cdot2}{4}=3.

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