8/10/13 Brahmagupta theorem - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmagupta_theorem 1/2

Proof of the theorem.
Brahmagupta theorem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In geometry, Brahmagupta's theorem states that if a cyclic
quadrilateral is orthodiagonal (that is, has perpendicular diagonals),
then the perpendicular to a side from the point of intersection of the
diagonals always bisects the opposite side. It is named after the Indian
mathematician Brahmagupta.
More specifically, let A, B, C and D be four points on a circle such
that the lines AC and BD are perpendicular. Denote the intersection of
AC and BD by M. Drop the perpendicular from M to the line BC,
calling the intersection E. Let F be the intersection of the line EM and
the edge AD. Then, the theorem states that F is the midpoint AD.
Proof
We need to prove that AF = FD. We will prove that both AF and
FD are in fact equal to FM.
To prove that AF = FM, first note that the angles FAM and CBM are
equal, because they are inscribed angles that intercept the same arc of
the circle. Furthermore, the angles CBM and CME are both
complementary to angle BCM (i.e., they add up to 90), and are
therefore equal. Finally, the angles CME and FMA are the same.
Hence, AFM is an isosceles triangle, and thus the sides AF and FM
are equal.
The proof that FD = FM goes similarly: the angles FDM, BCM, BME
and DMF are all equal, so DFM is an isosceles triangle, so FD =
FM. It follows that AF = FD, as the theorem claims.
See also
Brahmagupta's formula for the area of a cyclic quadrilateral
References
Coxeter, H. S. M.; Greitzer, S. L.: Geometry Revisited. Washington, DC: Math. Assoc. Amer., p. 59,
1967
Weisstein, Eric W., "Brahmagupta's theorem
(http://mathworld.wolfram.com/BrahmaguptasTheorem.html)", MathWorld.
Brahmagupta's Theorem (http://www.cut-the-knot.org/Curriculum/Geometry/Brahmagupta.shtml) at cut-
the-knot
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Categories: Brahmagupta Quadrilaterals Circles Theorems in geometry
8/10/13 Brahmagupta theorem - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmagupta_theorem 2/2
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