Gergonne and Van Obel theorems

Ceva's theorem is a fundamental result in Triangle Geometry that relates ratios of segments cut by the concurrent cevians on the sides of a triangle. A less known result valid in the same configuration has been proved by Van Obel and bears his name. A related theorem discovered by Gergonne is virtually unknown. The latter two have simple proofs based on three observations:

1. The area of a triangle with a fixed base and varying apex changes in proportion to its altitude.

2. As a consequence of 1, if two triangles share an altitude and the base line, then their areas are in proportion to their bases.

3. a/b = c/d is equivalent to a/b = (a ± c)/(b ± d), unless of course a = c and b = d.

Theorem (Gergonne, 1818)

Let three cevians AD, BE, and CF concur at a point K inside ABC. Then

and also

Proof

Since, for example, AK/AD + KD/AD = 1, (1) and (2) are clearly equivalent. So let's prove (1).

By , Area(BKC)/Area(ABC) = KD/AD, Area(AKC)/Area(ABC) = KE/BE, Area(AKB)/Area(ABC) = KE/CE, which, when added up, yield

The proof of Van Obel's theorem takes a little longer.

Theorem (Van Obel)

AK/KD = AF/FB + AE/EC.

Proof

By 2, Area(AKB)/Area(BKD) = AK/KD = Area(AKC)/Area(CKD). By 3,

On the other hand, again by 2,

From here, (Area(ABE) - Area(AKE))/(Area(BCE) - Area(CKE)) = AE/EC. So that

Similarly, Area(AKC)/Area(BKC) = AF/FB. And the theorem follows.

(4) and its analogues furnish an extra proof of Ceva's theorem. Indeed

which after multiplication give Ceva's identity.

Remark

As with barycentric coordinates, if the point K lies outside ABC, the areas of one or two of the triangles AKB, BKC, AKC may be regarded negative, in which case all three theorems still hold provided the segments involved are also considered signed.

Copyright © 1996-2009 Alexander Bogomolny