Proving that Angles OBC and CDO are Equal in a Parallelogram

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves proving that angles OBC and CDO are equal in the context of a parallelogram ABCD, with an interior point O such that the sum of angles α and β equals 180 degrees. The discussion revolves around properties of angles in triangles and cyclic quadrilaterals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between angles in triangles and the properties of cyclic quadrilaterals. There are hints about shifting triangles and considering the sum of angles.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with hints and suggestions, exploring the geometric properties related to the problem. There is a focus on understanding the implications of angle sums and the concept of cyclic quadrilaterals, though no consensus has been reached yet.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing discussion about the definitions and properties of angles in the context of a parallelogram and cyclic quadrilaterals, with some participants expressing uncertainty about the geometric manipulations suggested.

dirk_mec1
Messages
755
Reaction score
13

Homework Statement



A parallellogram ABCD has an interior point O sucht that [tex] \alpha + \beta = 180^o [/tex]

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/5636/post102741235319763.png

Prove that:

[tex] \angle{OBC}=\angle{CDO}[/tex]

Homework Equations



Definitions of a parallellogram.

The Attempt at a Solution


I don't know how to start can some give me a hint?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi dirk_mec1! :smile:

Think outside the box …

Hint: what theorem do you know (nothing to do with parallelograms) about two triangles with angles adding to 180º?

move one of the triangles around :wink:
 
tiny-tim said:
Hi dirk_mec1! :smile:
Hi!

Think outside the box …
Do you mean box or parallellogram? :-p

Hint: what theorem do you know (nothing to do with parallelograms) about two triangles with angles adding to 180º?
Sum of the angles in a triangle is 180o.

move one of the triangles around :wink:
I've thought about this but I don't understand what you mean.
 
dirk_mec1 said:
Do you mean box or parallellogram? :-p

Both! :biggrin:
Sum of the angles in a triangle is 180o.

That's sum of three angles … how about sum of two angles?

Hint: circles are very un-boxlike … :wink:
 
Do you mean: ''in a cyclic quadrilateral, opposite angles are supplementary (their sum is π radians)''?
 
dirk_mec1 said:
Do you mean: ''in a cyclic quadrilateral, opposite angles are supplementary (their sum is π radians)''?

That's the one! :biggrin:

Now shift one of the triangles around so as to make that cyclic quadrilateral, and then draw a … ? :wink:
 
tiny-tim said:
Now shift one of the triangles around so as to make that cyclic quadrilateral, and then draw a … ? :wink:

I'm sorry Tim I've looked at it and I can't find opposite angles for which the sum is 180 deg. I do know that the opposite angles in the parallelogram are equal.
 
dirk_mec1 said:
I'm sorry Tim I've looked at it and I can't find opposite angles for which the sum is 180 deg.

move OAB up to the top :wink:
 
tiny-tim said:
move OAB up to the top :wink:

Actually what do you mean by "shifting a triangle"? You can't switch angles so you probably mean something else.
 
  • #10
make a copy of OAB and and put it at the top
 
  • #11
Ok, I did that and thus:

[tex](\angle{OAB} + \angle{CDO}) +(\angle{OBA} + \angle{DCO}) =180^o[/tex]

but you mention drawing something I guess it's a circle but I'm not sure...
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
18K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Replies
15
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
3K