Geometry For Dummies
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With the side-splitter theorem, you draw one parallel line that divides a triangle's sides proportionally. With the extension of this theorem, you can draw any number of parallel lines that cut any lines (not just a triangle's sides) proportionally.

Extension of the Side-Splitter Theorem: If three or more parallel lines are intersected by two or more transversals, the parallel lines divide the transversals proportionally.

The following figure helps to illustrate this.

geometry-parallel

Given that the horizontal lines are parallel, the following proportions (among others) follow from the theorem:

geometry-transversals

Ready for a problem? Here goes:

geometry-transversals-proof

Here's the proof diagram.

geometry-transversals-diagram

This is a long process, so you should go through the unknown lengths one by one.

  1. Set up a proportion to get CD.

    geometry-cd-proportion

  2. Now just subtract CD from BD to get BC.

    geometry-subtractcd

  3. Skip over the segments that make up segment FJ for a minute and use a proportion to find KL.

    geometry-segments

  4. Subtract to get LM.

    geometry-subtractlm

  5. To solve for the parts of line FJ, use the total length of line FJ and the lengths along line AD.

    To get FG, GH, and HJ, note that because the ratio AB : BC : CD is 12 : 24 : 8, which reduces to 3 : 6 : 2, the ratio of FG : GH : HJ must also equal 3 : 6 : 2. So let FG = 3x, GH = 6x, and HJ = 2x. Because you're given the length of line FJ, you know that these three segments must add up to 33:

    geometry-fj

A veritable walk in the park.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book author:

Mark Ryan is the founder and owner of The Math Center in the Chicago area, where he provides tutoring in all math subjects as well as test preparation. Mark is the author of Calculus For Dummies, Calculus Workbook For Dummies, and Geometry Workbook For Dummies.

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