In a parallelogram, let's call it ABCD, let points E and F be the midpoints of sides AB and BC respectively. Find the ration of AP:AF, where P is the intersection of segments AF and CE
Ok I have simplified it and made it a 2x by 2y rectangle (which is a special case parallelogram)
This is a rough outline:
Triangle DPC and triangle EPB are similar. DC=2x and EB=x so the little one is half the size of the big one.
So JP=2*IP
so 3*IP= 2y
IP = 2y/3
so PG= y- 2y/3 = y/3
Now look at similar triangles AF and i forgot to give it a name .. . ok look at the big green triangle and the similar little grey one.
PG is y/3 and A? is y so the big one is 3 times as big as the little one.
So AP:AF = 2:3
I don't know but i have an interactive graph here:
https://www.geogebra.org/classic/fydwxkve
And it is clear that P will lay on the diagonal BD. Maybe you can use that ... I really don't know.
Ok I have simplified it and made it a 2x by 2y rectangle (which is a special case parallelogram)
This is a rough outline:
Triangle DPC and triangle EPB are similar. DC=2x and EB=x so the little one is half the size of the big one.
So JP=2*IP
so 3*IP= 2y
IP = 2y/3
so PG= y- 2y/3 = y/3
Now look at similar triangles AF and i forgot to give it a name .. . ok look at the big green triangle and the similar little grey one.
PG is y/3 and A? is y so the big one is 3 times as big as the little one.
So AP:AF = 2:3
A vector geometry method gets the answer easily.
For a diagram, imagine Melody's rectangle 'bashed' at A so that AB remains parallel to CD, so that we do have a parallelogram.
We have
\(\displaystyle \\ \underline{AF} = \underline{AB} + \underline{BF}= \underline{AB} + (1/2)\underline{BC} \dots(1)\\ \text{and}\\ \underline{EC}=\underline{EB}+\underline{BC} = (1/2)\underline{AB}+\underline{BC} \dots(2).\)
Let
\(\displaystyle \underline{AP}=\lambda\underline{AF}, \text{ and }\underline{EP}=\mu\underline{EC}, \\ 0< \lambda <1 \text{ and } 0< \mu <1. \)
From the triangle AEP,
\(\displaystyle \underline {AP} = \underline{AE}+\underline{EP},\)
and so substituting (1) and (2),
\(\displaystyle \lambda \{\underline{AB}+(1/2)\underline{BC}\}= (1/2)\underline{AB}+\mu\{(1/2)\underline{AB}+\underline{BC}\},\)
so
\(\displaystyle \underline{AB}\{\lambda - (1/2)-(\mu/2)\}=\underline{BC}\{\mu-(\lambda/2)\}.\)
AB and BC are not parallel, so for this to be true it's necessary that
\(\displaystyle \lambda -(1/2)-(\mu/2)=0\)
and
\(\displaystyle \mu - (\lambda/2)=0, \)
from which
\(\displaystyle \lambda = 2/3 \text{ and } \mu = 1/3.\)