Ratio of the area of triangle in terms of another triangle

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the ratio of the area of triangle PST in relation to triangle PQR, focusing on the geometric relationships and properties of the triangles involved. Participants explore various methods to derive the area ratio, including the use of shared altitudes and similarity principles.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that triangles PQT and PTR have equal areas due to QT being equal to TR, leading to the conclusion that the area of triangle PQT is half that of triangle PQR.
  • Another participant suggests that the area of triangle PST can be expressed as one-third of the area of triangle PQT, based on the shared altitude from vertex T.
  • There is a question regarding the derivation of the area relationship between triangles PST and PQT, with one participant attempting to clarify this by referencing the common altitude and the respective bases of the triangles.
  • Some participants propose using the formula for the area of a triangle, A = 1/2 * ab * sin(C), to derive the relationship, although there is uncertainty about how to apply this formula effectively.
  • One participant suggests drawing a line from S to PT parallel to QT to utilize similarity in the triangles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the derivation of the area ratio between triangles PST and PQT, with no consensus reached on the exact relationship or the methods to derive it. Some participants agree on the shared altitude concept, while others question the conclusions drawn from it.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the application of the area formula and the assumptions made about the relationships between the triangles, particularly concerning the bases and heights used in the calculations.

mathlearn
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:D I have trouble in determining the ratio of the area of $\triangle PST$ in terms of $\triangle PQR$

In the triangle PQR $QT=TR$, $PS=1 cm$ , $SQ=2 cm$ , How should I be writing the area of $\triangle PST$ in terms of $\triangle PQR $

View attachment 6031

What is known by me :

Since $|\overline{QT}|=|\overline{TR}|$ it follows that $\triangle PQT$ and $\triangle PTR$ have equal areas, so $$[PQT]=\frac12[PQR]$$

Has It got to do something with,

If two polygons are similar, the ratio of their areas is equal to the square of the ratio of their corresponding sides.

So what must be done from here? :confused:
 

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Hi mathlearn,

A key idea is that $\triangle PST$ and $\triangle PQT$ share the same altitude from vertex $T$. Using this fact, deduce that $\operatorname{Area}(\triangle PST) = \frac{1}{3}\operatorname{Area}(\triangle PQT)$.
 
Euge said:
Hi mathlearn,

A key idea is that $\triangle PST$ and $\triangle PQT$ share the same altitude from vertex $T$. Using this fact, deduce that $\operatorname{Area}(\triangle PST) = \frac{1}{3}\operatorname{Area}(\triangle PQT)$.

Hi Euge ;) ,

What I still don't understand is that ,

How did $\operatorname{Area}(\triangle PST) = \frac{1}{3}\operatorname{Area}(\triangle PQT)$ get derived?

From $|\overline{PS}|=\frac12|\overline{SQ}|$ it follows that the area of $\triangle PST$ is a half of the area of $\triangle PQT$ , From there I don't get it that much :confused:
 
I would use this formula for the area $A$ of a triangle:

$$A=\frac{1}{2}ab\sin(C)$$

To derive the relationship Euge mentioned. :)
 
MarkFL said:
I would use this formula for the area $A$ of a triangle:

$$A=\frac{1}{2}ab\sin(C)$$

To derive the relationship Euge mentioned. :)

:) Thanks but the issue is I don't know the use of this formula
 
Draw a line from $S$ to $\overline{PT}$ parallel to $\overline{QT}$ and use similarity...:D
 
mathlearn said:
Hi Euge ;) ,

What I still don't understand is that ,

How did $\operatorname{Area}(\triangle PST) = \frac{1}{3}\operatorname{Area}(\triangle PQT)$ get derived?

From $|\overline{PS}|=\frac12|\overline{SQ}|$ it follows that the area of $\triangle PST$ is a half of the area of $\triangle PQT$ , From there I don't get it that much :confused:

Hey mathlearn,

I suggested that you deduce this from the fact that $\triangle PST$ and $\triangle PQT$ share the same altitude from vertex $T$. Suppose their common altitude is $h$. Since the area of a triangle is $\dfrac{1}{2}\times (\text{base})\times (\text{height})$, then $\operatorname{Area}(\triangle PQT) = \dfrac{1}{2}(3)(h)$ and $\operatorname{Area}(\triangle PST) = \dfrac{1}{2}(1)(h)$. From here you can see how the result is derived.
 

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