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Lines AB and CD are parallel. You are given M and N as midpoints of AD and BC, respectively.
Prove that MN is parallel to AB and CD
Ok, so I think I way (WAY) over complicated this. Can someone please suggest a shorter route to my answer? The worst part is that even after working out this own mess below I think my proof is half baked at best...
Work
Draw a perpendicular line from the midpoint of AB to line CD.
Draw a perpendicular line from the midpoint of CD to line AB.
The two lines overlap
Therefore, angles AQP, BQP, DPQ, CPQ are 90 degrees.
point Q is what I gave the midpoint of AB, P is the midpoint of DP and Point O is where AC and DB intercept
Draw a line from point B to point D, and from point A to Point C.
Consider triangles AQO and BQO
AQ = BQ since Q is at the midpoint between AB
angle AQO and angle BQO are both right angles
QO = QO (common to both triangles)
Therefore, triangles AQO and BQO are congruent as per the SAS condition of the triangle congruence theorm.
The same consideration can be applied to DPO and CPO to show that they are congruent as per the SAS condition of a triangle.
180 degrees - angle AOB = angle DOA
180 degrees - angle AOB = angle COB
Therefore, angle DOA = angle COB
AO = BO, DO = CO
Therfore, Triangles COB and DOA are congruent as per the SAS condition of a triangle.
AD = BC, AM = MD, BN = NC
Therefore, AM = MD = BN = NC
MN can only meet this conditions if it is a parallel line.
Therefore, MN is parallel to AB and DC
I am kind of unclear as to what I have to prove and what I can take for granted when I am working on these so I attempt to prove everything under the sun.
Prove that MN is parallel to AB and CD
Ok, so I think I way (WAY) over complicated this. Can someone please suggest a shorter route to my answer? The worst part is that even after working out this own mess below I think my proof is half baked at best...
Work
Draw a perpendicular line from the midpoint of AB to line CD.
Draw a perpendicular line from the midpoint of CD to line AB.
The two lines overlap
Therefore, angles AQP, BQP, DPQ, CPQ are 90 degrees.
point Q is what I gave the midpoint of AB, P is the midpoint of DP and Point O is where AC and DB intercept
Draw a line from point B to point D, and from point A to Point C.
Consider triangles AQO and BQO
AQ = BQ since Q is at the midpoint between AB
angle AQO and angle BQO are both right angles
QO = QO (common to both triangles)
Therefore, triangles AQO and BQO are congruent as per the SAS condition of the triangle congruence theorm.
The same consideration can be applied to DPO and CPO to show that they are congruent as per the SAS condition of a triangle.
180 degrees - angle AOB = angle DOA
180 degrees - angle AOB = angle COB
Therefore, angle DOA = angle COB
AO = BO, DO = CO
Therfore, Triangles COB and DOA are congruent as per the SAS condition of a triangle.
AD = BC, AM = MD, BN = NC
Therefore, AM = MD = BN = NC
MN can only meet this conditions if it is a parallel line.
Therefore, MN is parallel to AB and DC
I am kind of unclear as to what I have to prove and what I can take for granted when I am working on these so I attempt to prove everything under the sun.
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