Determining Areas of Triangles in Hexagon ABCDEF

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the areas of two triangles formed by point M inside hexagon ABCDEF, given the areas of four other triangles and the total area of the hexagon. Participants explore methods to find the unknown areas and the implications of the hexagon's symmetry.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Numeriprimi states the known areas of triangles ABM, BCM, DEM, and FEM, and seeks to find the areas of the remaining two triangles.
  • Some participants suggest exploiting the symmetry of the hexagon to find relationships between the areas, questioning whether a sketch has been made.
  • One participant notes that the problem does not imply that the hexagon is regular, thus questioning the validity of assuming symmetry.
  • It is pointed out that while the total area of the remaining triangles can be calculated as 10 cm², there is no way to determine their individual areas due to the lack of additional constraints.
  • Another participant agrees that the absence of symmetry leads to multiple possible configurations for the hexagon, resulting in different areas for the last two triangles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the total area of the two remaining triangles is 10 cm², but they disagree on the feasibility of determining their individual areas due to the lack of symmetry and additional information.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations related to the assumptions about the hexagon's shape and the implications of symmetry on area determination. The problem does not provide enough information to resolve the individual areas of the last two triangles.

Numeriprimi
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I have hexagon ABCDEF (30 cm2) and point M inside.
True: ABM = 3 cm2; BCM = 2 cm2; DEM = 7 cm2 ; FEM = 8cm2

How can I determine area of others two triangles? I know their total area, but how individually?

Thanks very much and if you don't understand, write, I will try to write better.
Poor Czech Numeriprimi
 
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You exploit the symmetry of the hexagon ... did you sketch it out?
Point M is closest to B and C, closer to B than C - right?

Can you find the length of the line segments radiating from M in terms of the areas you know?
 
How can I exploit symmetry?
And yes, it is right, but but what good is it useful?
I don't understand your third question... What length from M?
 
Simon Bridge said:
You exploit the symmetry of the hexagon ... did you sketch it out?
Point M is closest to B and C, closer to B than C - right?

Can you find the length of the line segments radiating from M in terms of the areas you know?
The problem, as stated, does not suggest that this is a "regular" hexagon and so does not imply any "symmetry".

Numeri Primi, it is easy, as you say, to see that the total area of the two remaining triangles is 30- (3+ 2+ 7+ 8)= 30- 20= 10. But there is NO way to determine the area of the two triangles separately. It is possible to construct many different (non-symmetric) hexagons having the given information but different areas for the last two triangles.
 
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The problem, as stated, does not suggest that this is a "regular" hexagon and so does not imply any "symmetry".
That's a good point... though the question would seem somewhat unfair if it were not.
 

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