Q:

Amira is writing a coordinate proof to show that the area of a triangle created by joining the midpoints of an isosceles triangles is one-fourth the area of the isosceles triangle. She starts by assigning coordinates as given.Triangle D E F in the coordinate plane so that vertex D is at the origin and is labeled 0 comma 0, vertex E is in the first quadrant and is labeled 2 a comma 2 b, and vertex F is on the positive side of the x-axis and is labeled 4a comma 0. Point Q is between points D and E. Point R is between points E and F. Point P is between points D and F and is labeled 2 a comma 0.Enter your answers, in simplest form, in the boxes to complete the coordinate proof.Point Q is the midpoint of DE¯¯¯¯¯ , so the coordinates of point Q are (a, b) .Point R is the midpoint of FE¯¯¯¯¯ , so the coordinates of point R are (, b).In △DEF , the length of the base, DF¯¯¯¯¯ , is , and the height is 2b, so its area is .In △QRP , the length of the base, QR¯¯¯¯¯ , is , and the height is b, so its area is ab .Comparing the expressions for the areas proves that the area of the triangle created by joining the midpoints of an isosceles triangle is one-fourth the area of the

Accepted Solution

A:
Point R is the midpoint of FE¯¯¯¯¯ , so the coordinates of point R are (3a, b).

In △DEF , the length of the base, DF¯¯¯¯¯ , is
4a, and the height is 2b, so its area is
1/2×4a×2b = 4ab.

In △QRP , the length of the base, QR¯¯¯¯¯ , is
3a-a = 2a, and the height is b, so its area is 1/2×2a×b = ab .

Comparing the expressions for the areas proves that the area of the triangle created by joining the midpoints of an isosceles triangle is one-fourth the area of the larger isosceles triangle.