Question 16
If and are medians of triangles and , respectively where , prove that
- Given that , their corresponding sides are proportional () and their corresponding angles are equal ().
- Since and are medians, they bisect the base sides such that and .
- By replacing and with their halves in the ratio, we prove that the smaller triangles and are similar by the SAS similarity criterion, which directly leads to .
Step 1 · Express Side Ratios Using Medians

Given .
Corresponding sides are proportional:
Corresponding angles are equal:
Since and are medians to and respectively:
From , , and :
Step 2 · Prove Similarity of and
In and :
From :
From :
Therefore, by the SAS similarity criterion:
Since corresponding sides of similar triangles are in proportion:
- Median vs. Altitude: A median bisects the opposite side (), but does not necessarily meet it at a right angle (). Do not assume .
- Incorrect Similarity Criterion: Trying to use AAA or SSS directly on and before establishing the relationship , which is necessary for the SAS criterion.
More questions in Exercise 6.3
- State which pairs of triangles in Fig. 6.34 are similar. Write the similarity criterion used by you for answering the question and also write the pairs of similar triangles in the symbolic form :
- In Fig. 6.35, , and . Find , and .
- Diagonals and of a trapezium with intersect each other at the point . Using a similarity criterion for two triangles, show that .
- In Fig. 6.36, and . Show that .
S and T are points on sides and of such that . Show that .
- In Fig. 6.37, if , show that .
- In Fig. 6.38, altitudes and of intersect each other at the point . Show that:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
- E is a point on the side AD produced of a parallelogram ABCD and BE intersects CD at F. Show that .
- In Fig. 6.39, ABC and AMP are two right triangles, right angled at B and M respectively. Prove that:
(i)
(ii)
- CD and GH are respectively the bisectors of and such that D and H lie on sides AB and FE of and respectively. If , show that:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
In Fig. 6.40, is a point on side produced of an isosceles triangle with . If and , prove that .
Sides AB and BC and median AD of a triangle ABC are respectively proportional to sides PQ and QR and median PM of (see Fig. 6.41). Show that .
D is a point on the side of a triangle such that . Show that .
Sides and and median of a triangle are respectively proportional to sides and and median of another triangle . Show that .
A vertical pole of length casts a shadow long on the ground and at the same time a tower casts a shadow long. Find the height of the tower.
If and are medians of triangles and , respectively where , prove that