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Menelaus theorem

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A theorem on the relations between the lengths of the segments on the sides of a triangle determined by an intersecting straight line. It asserts that if the given line intersects the sides of a triangle (or their extensions) at the points , and , then

Menelaus' theorem is a particular case of the Carnot theorem; it can be generalized to the case of a polygon. Thus, suppose that a straight line intersects the edges of a polygon at the respective points . Then the following relation is valid:

The theorem was proved by Menelaus (1st century) and apparently it was known to Euclid (3rd century B.C.).

Figure: m063400a


Comments

References

[a1] B.L. van der Waerden, "Science awakening" , 1 , Noordhoff & Oxford Univ. Press (1961) pp. 275 (Translated from Dutch)
How to Cite This Entry:
Menelaus theorem. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Menelaus_theorem&oldid=33016
This article was adapted from an original article by P.S. Modenov (originator), which appeared in Encyclopedia of Mathematics - ISBN 1402006098. See original article