Vectors (prove a quadrilateral is a parallelogram)

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
2 replies · 18K views
crayzwalz
Messages
10
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



The diagonals of quadrilateral ABCD bisect each other. Use vectors to prove that ABCD is a parallelogram.


The Attempt at a Solution



let O = point of intersection

AO = AD + DO
DO = 1/2DB
AO = AD + 1/2 DB

AO = AB + BO
BO = -1/2DB
AO = AB - 1/2DB

2AO = AD + 1/2DB - 1/2DB + AB
AC = 2AO
AC = AD + AB (this is true for parallelograms)

is this solution correct?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes it's correct, but maybe not so "sharp".

I'd have done:
OA = -OC
OB = -OD
AB = OB-OA = OC-OD = CD
AB = CD (opposite sides are parallel, and equal too).