BOOK FREE CLASS COMPETITIVE EXAMS SUCCESS STORIES +919243500460

Maths Maths Article Maths Formulas Maths Syllabus Maths Important Questions Maths Calculator Maths MCQs

Maths > Math Article > Basic Proportionality Theorem

Type your search

Basic Proportionality Theorem & Similar Triangles

Basic Proportionality theorem was introduced by a famous Greek Mathematician, Thales, hence it is also called
Thales Theorem. According to him, for any two equiangular triangles, the ratio of any two corresponding sides is
always the same. Based on this concept, he gave theorem of basic proportionality (BPT). This concept has been
introduced in similar triangles.  If two triangles are similar to each other then,

i) Corresponding angles of both the triangles are equal

ii) Corresponding sides of both the triangles are in proportion to each other

Learn Basic Mathematics at BYJU’S to clear your concepts and fundamentals.

Table of contents:
BOOK
Free Class Statement
Proof
Converse of BPT Theorem
Solved Examples
Video Lesson
FAQs CBSE Sample Papers
CBSE Sample Papers Class 8 Maths

CBSE Sample Papers Class 9 Maths

Thus two triangles ΔABC and ΔPQR are similar if,
CBSE Sample Papers Class 10 Maths
i) ∠A=∠P, ∠B=∠Q and ∠C=∠R
ii) AB/PQ, BC/QR, AC/PR CBSE Sample Papers Class 11 Maths

Also, read: CBSE Sample Papers Class 12 Maths

Property of Triangles
Parallel Lines
Important Questions For Class 6 Maths
CBSE Previous Year Question Papers
CBSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 12
Thales Theorem Statement Maths
Let us now state the Basic Proportionality Theorem which is as follows:
CBSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 10
If a line is drawn parallel to one side of a triangle intersecting the other two sides in distinct points, then the Maths
other two sides are divided in the same ratio.

Basic  Proportionality Theorem Proof

Let us now try to prove the basic proportionality theorem statement
ICSE Sample Papers
Consider a triangle ΔABC, as shown in the given gure. In this triangle, we draw a line PQ parallel to the side BC
of ΔABC and intersecting the sides AB and AC in P and Q, respectively. ICSE Sample Papers Class 8 Maths

ICSE Sample Papers Class 9 Maths

ICSE Sample Papers Class 10 Maths

ISC Sample Papers Class 11 Maths

ISC Sample Papers Class 12 Maths

ICSE Previous Year Question Papers

ICSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 10

ISC Previous Year Question Papers Class 12

Maths

According to the basic proportionality theorem as stated above, we need to prove:

CBSE Sample Papers
AP/PB = AQ/QC
CBSE Sample Papers Class 8 Maths
Construction CBSE Sample Papers Class 9 Maths
Join the vertex B of ΔABC to Q and the vertex C to P to form the lines BQ and CP and then drop a perpendicular CBSE Sample Papers Class 10 Maths
QN to the side AB and also draw PM⊥AC as shown in the given gure.
CBSE Sample Papers Class 11 Maths

CBSE Sample Papers Class 12 Maths

CBSE Previous Year Question Papers

CBSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 12
Maths

CBSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 10

Maths

ICSE Sample Papers

ICSE Sample Papers Class 8 Maths
Proof
ICSE Sample Papers Class 9 Maths
Now the area of ∆APQ = 1/2 × AP × QN (Since, area of a triangle= 1/2× Base × Height)
ICSE Sample Papers Class 10 Maths
Similarly, area of ∆PBQ= 1/2 × PB × QN
ISC Sample Papers Class 11 Maths
area of ∆APQ = 1/2 × AQ × PM
ISC Sample Papers Class 12 Maths
Also,area of ∆QCP = 1/2 × QC × PM ………… (1)

Now, if we nd the ratio of the area of triangles ∆APQand ∆PBQ, we have

1

area of  ΔAP Q  × AP  × QN

= =
2 AP
1
area of  ΔP BQ  × P B × QN PB

ICSE Previous Year Question Papers

2

area of  ΔAP Q  × AQ × P M AQ

Similarly, = = ………..(2)
2

area of  ΔQC P 1
 × QC  × P M QC ICSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 10
2

ISC Previous Year Question Papers Class 12

According to the property of triangles, the triangles drawn between the same parallel lines and on the same base
Maths
have equal areas.

Therefore, we can say that ∆PBQ and QCP have the same area.

area of ∆PBQ = area of ∆QCP …………..(3)

Therefore, from the equations (1), (2) and (3) we can say that,

AP/PB = AQ/QC

Also, ∆ABC and ∆APQ ful l the conditions for similar triangles, as stated above. Thus, we can say that ∆ABC
~∆APQ.

The MidPoint theorem is a special case of the basic proportionality theorem.

According to mid-point theorem, a line drawn joining the midpoints of the two sides of a triangle is parallel to the
third side.

Consider an ∆ABC.

Join BYJU'S Learning Program

Name
Name is required.

Mobile Number
Mobile No. is required.

City / Town
Conclusion City is required.
We arrive at the following conclusions from the above theorem:
Grade/Exam
If P and Q are the mid-points of AB and AC, then PQ || BC. We can state this mathematically as follows: Grade/Exam is required.

If P and Q are points on AB and AC such that AP = PB = 1/2 (AB) and AQ = QC = 1/2 (AC), then PQ || BC. Email Address
Also, the converse of mid-point theorem is also true which states that the line drawn through the mid-point of a Email-id is required.
side of a triangle which is parallel to another side, bisects the third side of the triangle. Submit
Hence, the basic proportionality theorem is proved.

Converse of Basic Proportionality Theorem

According to this theorem, if a line divides any two sides of a triangle in the same ratio, then the line is parallel to
the third side.

Proof
Suppose a line DE, intersects the two sides of a triangle AB and AC at D and E, such that;

AD/DB = AE/EC ……(1)

Assume DE is not parallel to BC. Now, draw a line DE’ parallel to BC.

Hence, by similar triangles,

AD/DB = AE’/E’C ……(2)

From eq. 1 and 2, we get;

AE/EC = AE’/E’C

Adding 1 on both the sides;

AE/EC + 1 = AE’/E’C +1

(AE +EC)/EC = (AE’+E’C)/E’C

AC/EC = AC/E’C

So, EC = E’C

This is possible only when E and E’ coincide.

But, DE’ || BC

Therefore, DE ||BC.

Hence, proved.

Solved Examples
1. In a ∆ABC, sides AB and AC  are intersected by a line at D and E respectively, which is parallel to side BC.
Then prove that AD/AB = AE/AC.

Solution: Given,

DE || BC

So, AD/DB = AE/EC

or we can interchange the ratios as;

DB/AD = EC/AE

Now, add 1 on both sides;

(DB/AD)  + 1 = (EC/AE) + 1

(DB + AD)/AD = (EC + AE)/AE

AB/AD = AC/ AE

If we interchange the ratios again, we get;

AD/AB = AE/AC

Hence, proved.

2. Suppose a triangle ABC, where DE is a line drawn from the midpoint of AB and ends midpoint of AC at E.
AD/DB = AE/EC and ∠ADE = ∠ACB. Then prove ABC is an isosceles triangle.

Solution: Given, 

AD/DB = AE/EC

By the converse of basic proportionality theorem, we get;

DE || BC

But it is given that,

∠ADE = ∠ACB

Hence,

∠ABC = ∠ACB

The side opposite to equal angles is also equal.

AB = AC

Hence, ABC is an isosceles triangle.

Solve more such questions by visiting us.

1,40,108
Learning is an unending journey. Paint the canvas of your imagination with the colours of knowledge. Join
BYJU’S to keep learning more and more. Visit our website BYJU’S or download BYJU’S -The Learning App.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What is Basic Proportionality Theorem?
According to BPT theorem, for any two equiangular triangles, the ratio of any two corresponding sides is always
the same.

Who introduced the Basic Proportionality theorem?

The Basic Proportionality theorem was introduced by a famous Greek Mathematician, Thales, therefore, it is also
called Thales Theorem.

What is the corollary of BPT theorem?

According to this theorem, if a line divides any two sides of a triangle in the same ratio, then the line is parallel to
the third side.

What is another name of Basic proportionality theorem?

Another name for BPT is Thales theorem. As per this theorem, If a line is drawn parallel to one side of a triangle
intersecting the other two sides in distinct points, then the other two sides are divided in the same ratio.

What are the condition of two triangles to be similar?

If two triangles are similar to each other then,
i) Corresponding angles of both the triangles are equal
ii) Corresponding sides of both the triangles are in proportion to each other

Do similar triangles have the same size?

Similar triangles have the same shape, but they may not have the same size always. The ratio of their
corresponding sides and angles will be similar.

MATHS Related Links

Mathematics Solution Maxima Minima

How To Construct A Quadrilateral Laplace Transform Formula

Factors Of 54 Discrete Structures Sets Relations Functions

Sin 0 Centimeter To Meter Formula

Apps for Maths Events In Probability

1 Comment

Pranjal MARCH 31, 2020 AT 11:14 AM

Well explained

REPLY

Leave a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required elds are marked *

Comment

Please don't use any HTML or external links in the comment box.

Name *

Email *

POST COMMENT

EXAM
COURSES EXAMS C O M PA N Y Fr e e Te x t b o o k S o l u t i o n s State Boards
P R E PA R AT I O N

CBSE CAT Exam Free CAT Prep About Us NCERT Solutions Maharashtra

ICSE IAS Exam Free IAS Prep Contact Us NCERT Exemplar Gujarat

CAT UPSC Syllabus Maths Student Feedback NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Tamil Nadu

IAS UPSC 2020 Physics Investors NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Karnataka

JEE Government Exams Chemistry Careers NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Kerala

NEET JEE Main Biology BYJU'S in Media NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Andhra Pradesh

Commerce Students Stories - The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Telangana

RESOURCES Learning Tree
Bank Exam NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Uttar Pradesh
Faces of BYJU'S – Life at
Blog
NCERT BYJU'S NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Bihar
Videos
Social Initiative - Education RD Sharma Solutions Rajasthan
for All
CBSE Sample Papers
RS Aggarwal Solutions Madhya Pradesh
BYJU'S APP
CBSE Question
ICSE Selina Solutions
Papers

DSSL FOLLOW US

© 2020, BYJU'S. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Services  |  Sitemap