Let ABCD be a convex quadrilateral, and let M and N be the midpoints of sides ¯AD and ¯BC, respectively. Prove that MN≤(AB+CD)/2. When does equality occur?
Hint(s):
Let P be the midpoint of diagonal ¯BD. What does the triangle inequality tell you about triangle M N P?
Consider△BDCand△BPN∠PBN=∠DBCcommonangle¯BD¯BP=¯BC¯BN=2∴△BPN∼△BDCOne equal angle and leg lengths from it in the same ratio.So¯DC=2⋅¯PN corresponding sides in similar triangles with a dilation factor of 2
Using the same logic with △APDand△MPD it can be shown that
¯AB=2⋅¯MP
I have to continue on a second post because it is not displaying properly.
Now consider the points MPN, these points either form a triangle or they are collinearIf they form a line then MP+PN=MNIf they from a triangle then use this fact:In any triangle the sum of any 2 side lengths must be longer than the third side.SoMP+PN≥MN2MP+2PN≥2MNAB+CD≥2MN2MN≤AB+CDMN≤AB+CD2
There can only be an equality if P lies on the line MN in which case there is no triagle MPN and the the quadrilateral ABCD must be a trapezium (Australian definition, I think Americans call it a trapezoid) where AB∥DC