Finding the centroid of a triangle using complex numbers

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on finding the centroid of a triangle using complex numbers and the simplification of an equation related to this process. The user is confused about how their instructor transitioned from the initial equation to a simplified form, which leads to determining the values of t and s. They attempt to equate the two forms but feel their method is flawed and question whether expanding the brackets or multiplying through by 2 would yield better results. The key takeaway is that the coefficients of z1, z2, and z3 must equal zero to find the centroid, ultimately leading to the conclusion that t and s equal 2/3. Understanding these steps is crucial for mastering the concept of centroids in complex number geometry.
Baartzy89
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Hi all,

I'm preparing for a deferred exam this semester after falling ill last year. Just looking over my course notes and have a question. I understand how this works in the big picture scheme. What I don't understand however is how my instructor simplified the original equation.

1. Homework Statement

Step 1) (1-t)z1 + t*(z2+z3/2) = (1-s)z1 + s(z2+z3/2)

Step 2) Simplifies to;
(2-s)z1+(t-2+2s)z2+(t-s)z3 = 0

Since z1, z2 and z3 aren't collinear, their coefficients in this equation must be zero. Therefore we have;
a) 2-s-2t = 0
b) t-2+2s = 0
c) t-s = 0

Then we readily find t = s = 2/3

Which is then substituted into the original equation for medians to find that it equals (z1+z2+z3)/3

Homework Equations


I understand how this works in the big picture scheme. What I don't understand however is how my instructor simplified the original equation step 1 to step 2.[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


My attempt from equating the equations;
(1-t)z1 + t*(z2+z3/2) = (1-s)z1 + s(z2+z3/2)

0 = (2-s)z1+(t-2+2s)z2+(t-s)z3
= (1-s)z1 + s(z1+z3/2) + s(z2+z3/2) - (1-t)z1 - s(z2+z3/2)
= z1 - s*z1 - z1 + t*z1 - s*(z2/2) - s*(z3/2) + s*(z2/2) + s*(z3/2)
= t*z1 - s*z1

Therefore t*z1 = s*z1 and divide both sides by z1 t = s

I feel this comes out slightly like my instructors, but its faulty somewhere...
 
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Why not expand the brackets in the first equation, multiply through by 2, then group like terms?
 

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