LESSON

8.4 Name Class Date

Midsegments 8.4 Midsegments of Triangles

of Triangles Essential Question: How are the segments that join the midpoints of a triangle’s sides related
to the triangle’s sides?

Resource

Common Core Math Standards Locker

The student is expected to:

COMMON
Explore Investigating Midsegments of a Triangle
CORE G-CO.C.10 The midsegment of a triangle is a line segment that connects the midpoints of two sides of
Prove theorems about triangles. Also G-CO.D.12, G-GPE.B.4, G-GPE.B.5 the triangle. Every triangle has three midsegments. Midsegments are often used_ to add
rigidity to structures. In the support for the garden swing shown, the crossbar DE is a
Mathematical Practices midsegment of △ABC

COMMON
CORE MP.2 Reasoning

Language Objective
Explain to a partner why a drawn segment in a triangle is or is not a
midsegment.

ENGAGE You can use a compass and straightedge to construct the midsegments of a triangle.

Essential Question: How are the A Sketch a scalene triangle and label B Use a compass to find the midpoint
¯. Label the midpoint D.
the vertices A, B, and C. of AB
segments that join the midpoints of a A A

triangle’s sides related to the triangle’s D

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

sides? B C B C

Each midsegment is half the length of the side to

which it is parallel; the sum of the lengths of the _ _
¯. Label
midsegments is half the perimeter of the triangle. C Use a compass to find the midpoint of AC D Use a straightedge to draw DE. DE is one of the
the midpoint E. midsegments of the triangle.
A A

D E D E
PREVIEW: LESSON B C B C
PERFORMANCE TASK
View the Engage section online. Discuss the photo,
drawing attention to the horizontal crossbeams that E find the other two midsegments of △ABC. You may want to
Repeat the process to _
extend between the slanting beams and stabilize label the midpoint of BC as F.

them. Then preview the Lesson Performance Task.

Module 8 ges must
be made throu
gh “File info” 395 Lesson 4
EDIT--Chan
DO NOT Key=NL-A;CA-A
Correction
Date
Class

gles
nts of Trian
Name

Midsegme
d
sides relate

HARDCOVER PAGES 339346

triangle’s
8.4 are the segme
nts that join
the midpo
ints of a
Resource
Locker
Quest ion: How le’s sides?
Essential to the triang .B.4, G-GPE
.B.5
.12, G-GPE
es. Also G-CO.D
about triangl
Triangle
ms
10 Prove theore a
G-CO.C.
ments of
COMMON

Midseg
CORE

Inve stigating ints of two

cts the midpo used to add
sides of

Explore nt that conne

gments are
often _
is a line segme ar DE is a

GE_MNLESE385795_U2M08L4.indd 395 02/04/14 2:30 AM

a triangle gments. Midse shown, the crossb
gment of three midse
The midse triangle has garden swing
le. Every rt for the
In the suppo

Turn to these pages to

the triang
structures.
rigidity to
gment of △ABC
midse

a triangle.
find this lesson in the
hardcover student
gments of
the midse
construct
htedge to the midpo
int
and straig ss to find
a compass Use a compa midpoint
D.
You can use  ¯. Label the
and label of AB
e triangle
Sketch a scalen B, and C. A


edition.
s A,
the vertice D
A C
B
C
B _ _ is one of the
y
g Compan

DE. DE
tedge to draw
Use a straigh le.
¯. Label  s of the triang
Publishin

of AC midsegment
the midpoint
ss to find A
Use a compa
Harcour t

 the midpo
int E.
D
E
C
A
n Mifflin

B
E
D
© Houghto

C
B
to
may want
△ABC. You
gments of
two midse
find the other Lesson 4
process to _ F.
Repeat the of BC as
 label the
midpoint
395

2:31 AM
02/04/14
Module 8

395
8L4.indd
95_U2M0
ESE3857
GE_MNL

395 Lesson 8.4

 Reflect

1. Use a ruler
_ to compare
_
about DE and BC_
?
_ _
the length of DE to the length of BC. What does this tell you EXPLORE
_
The length of DE is half the length of BC.
_
Investigating Midsegments
2. protractor to compare m∠ADE and m∠ABC. What does this tell you about DE
Use a_ of a Triangle
and BC? Explain. _ _
m∠ADE = m∠ABC, so DE ∥ BC since corresponding angles are congruent.

3. Compare your results with your class. Then state a conjecture about a midsegment of INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY
a triangle.
A midsegment of a triangle is parallel to the third side of the triangle and is half as long as Students have the option of completing the
the third side. midsegments activity either in the book or online.

Explain 1 Describing Midsegments on a

Coordinate Grid QUESTIONING STRATEGIES
You can confirm your conjecture about midsegments using the formulas for the midpoint, How are the length of the midsegment and the
slope, and distance.
third side of the triangle related? The
Example 1 Show that the given midsegment of the triangle is parallel to the third side midsegment is one-half the length of the third side.
of the triangle and is half as long as the third side.

 GHI are G(-7, -1), H(-5, 5), and I(1, 3). J is

The vertices of △_
_ _ y

EXPLAIN 1
6
_ midpoint 1of GH, and K_is the midpoint of IH. Show that JK ∥
the H
__
GI and JK = 2 GI. Sketch JK. K 4

coordinates of J and K.
(
x1 + x2 _
Step 1 Use the midpoint formula, _
2
,
y1 + y2
2 )
, to find the J
I
Describing Midsegments on a
x
Coordinate Grid
( )
_ -1 + 5
-7 - 5 , _ -8 -4 -2 0 2
The midpoint of GH is _ = (-6, 2). G
2 2 -2
Graph and label this point J.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

( )
_ -5 + 1 5 + 3 -4
The midpoint of IH is _, _ = (-2, 4). Graph
2 2
INTEGRATE MATHEMATICAL
_
and label this point K. Use a straightedge to draw JK. PRACTICES
Focus on Math Connections
( )
y2 - y1 _ _
Step 2 Use _ x 2 - x 1 to compare the slopes of JK and GI.
_
Slope of JK = _ 4-2 =_
_ 3 - (-1)
1 Slope of GI =_=_ 1 MP.1 Remind students that two lines with equal
-2 - (-6) 2 1 - (-7) 2
slopes are parallel and that the slope of a segment is
_ _
Since the slopes are the same, JK ∥ GI.
____ _ _ the difference of its y-coordinates divided by the
Step 3 Use √(x 2 - x 1) 2 + (y 2 - y 1) 2 to compare the lengths of JK and GI.
____ _ _
difference of its x-coordinates. Also remind them to
JK = √( -2 - (-6) ) 2 + (4 - 2) 2 = √ 20 = 2√ 5
―――――――――― = √_ subtract the coordinates in the same order.
√(1 - (-7)) + (3 - (-1))
2 _ 2
GI = 80 = 4√ 5
_ _
1 (4√5 ), JK = _
1 GI.
Since 2√5 = _
2 2

Module 8 396 Lesson 4

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
GE_MNLESE385795_U2M08L4.indd 396 3/27/14 10:21 AM

Math Background
A midsegment of a triangle is a segment that joins the midpoints of two sides of
the triangle. Together, the three midsegments of a triangle form the sides of the
midsegment triangle. Using the Triangle Midsegment Theorem and the SSS
Triangle Congruence Theorem, it can be proven that the four small triangles
formed by the midsegments are congruent. Since the four triangles together form
the original triangle, each small triangle has one-fourth of its area.

Midsegments of Triangles 396

 y
B The vertices of △LMN are L(2, 7), M(10, 9), and N(8, 1). P is the 10
_ _ M
QUESTIONING STRATEGIES midpoint of LM, and Q is the midpoint of MN. P

To which side of the triangle does the

_ _ _
Show that PQ ∥ LN and PQ = 1 LN. Sketch PQ.
_ 8
L
2
6
midsegment appear to be parallel? the side
that does not contain the endpoints of the
_ 2 + 10 7 + 9
Step 1 The midpoint of LM = _, _ =
2 2
(6 , 8 ) . 4
Q

Graph and label this point P.

( )
midsegment 2
_ 8 10 1 9
+ + x
The midpoint of NM = __, __ N
How do you find the midsegments of a 2 2 0

(9 )
2 4 6 8 10
triangle in the coordinate plane? Use the 5 _
= , . Graph and label this point Q. Use a straightedge to draw PQ .
Midpoint Formula to find the coordinates of the
_ 5-8 _ 1 - 7
midpoint of two sides of the triangle. Plot the Step 2 Slope of PQ = _ = -1 Slope of LN = __ = -1
9- 6 8 - 2
midpoints and connect them to form a midsegment.
_ _
What are some ways you can show that two Since the slopes are the same, PQ and LN are parallel .
____

√(
__
line segments are parallel when using the
) √
2
_ _
Step 3 PQ = 9 - 6 + (5 - 8) = 9 + 9 = √18 = 3√2
2

Triangle Midsegment Theorem in a coordinate

_____

√( 8
___ _ _
plane? Sample answer: Show that the lines have the
) +( ) =√ √ √2
2
2
LN = - 2 1 - 7 36 + 36 = 72 =6
same slope.
( √ 2 ),
_ _
―
Since 3 √2 1
=_
2 6
1 ―
PQ = _
2 LN .
_ _
The length of PQ is half the length of LN.

Your Turn

4. of △XYZ are X(3, 7), Y(9, 11),_

The vertices _ and Z(7, 1). U is the y Y
_ _of XY, and W_
midpoint
1
is the midpoint of XZ. Show
_ that 10
UW ∥ YZ and UW = YZ. Sketch △XYZ and UW. U
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

( )
2
3 + 9 7 + 11
U = _, _ = (6, 9); 8
2 2 X
W= (
3+7 _
_
2
,
7+1
2 ) 6

4
= (5, 4); W
― 4-9
slope of UW = _ = 5;
― 1 - 11 = 5;
slope of YZ = _
2
5-6 7-9 Z x
― ―
Since the slopes are the same, UW ∥ YZ.
0 2 4 6 8 10

――――――― ―
UW = √(5 - 6) + (4 - 9) = √26 ;
2 2

―――――――
YZ = √(7 - 9) + (1 - 11) = 2 √―
2
26 ;
2

1 YZ.
S0 UW = _
2

Module 8 397 Lesson 4

COLLABORATIVE LEARNING
GE_MNLESE385795_U2M08L4.indd 397 5/22/14 10:14 PM

Small Group Activity

Have one student in each group use geometry software to construct the
midsegment of a triangle. Ask another student in the group to measure the
midsegment and the sides of the triangle and make a conjecture about the
relationship of the two measures. Ask a third student to measure the angles to
make a conjecture about midsegment and the third side of the triangle. Have the
fourth student drag the vertices of the triangle to verify the conjectures made by
the other students: the midsegments are half the measure of the third side and are
parallel to the third side.

397 Lesson 8.4

 Explain 2 Using the Triangle Midsegment
Theorem
The relationship you have been exploring is true for the three midsegments of every triangle.
EXPLAIN 2
Using the Triangle
Triangle Midsegment Theorem
The segment joining the midpoints of two sides of a triangle is parallel to the third
Midsegment Theorem
side, and its length is half the length of that side.

You explored this theorem in Example 1 and will be proving it later in this course. INTEGRATE MATHEMATICAL
PRACTICES
Use triangle RST.
Example 2
Focus on Math Connections
 Find UW. S MP.1 Point out that if the midsegments of a triangle
By the Triangle
_ Midsegment Theorem,_the length of are found, then the Triangle Midsegment Theorem
midsegment UW is half the length of ST.
can be used to state that the midsegment is half the
1 ST
UW = _ U 5.6
2 41° V
10.2 length of the third side and is parallel to the third
1 (10.2)
UW = _
2 side. Explain that the theorem gives a way to
UW = 5.1 R
indirectly find the side lengths of a triangle, and
W
T
that it gives similar triangles, which will be studied
 Complete the reasoning to find m ∠SVU. in Unit 4.
△Midsegment Thm. _ _
UWǁST
Alt. Int. Angles Thm. m ∠SVU = m ∠VUW

Substitute
41° for m∠VUW m ∠SVU = 41°
QUESTIONING STRATEGIES
In the example, how do you know that you can
Reflect use the Triangle Midsegment Theorem? The
midsegment of a triangle was found, so the Triangle
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
5. How do you know to which side of a triangle a midsegment is parallel?
Since a midsegment connects the midpoints of two sides, it is parallel to the third side.
Midsegment Theorem applies.

Your Turn P K
J
6. Find JL, PM, and m ∠MLK. 39 AVOID COMMON ERRORS
JL = 2 (PN) = 2(39) = 78; PM = _
1 KL = _
1 (95) = 47.5;
105° M N
2 2 95
m ∠MLK = m ∠JMP = 105° Sometimes students write the incorrect algebraic
L
expressions to indirectly find the lengths of segments
Elaborate in triangles when using the Triangle Midsegment
7. ¯ is NOT a midsegment of the triangle.
Discussion Explain why XY 6 6 Theorem. Have these students use the theorem to
¯ are not midpoints of the sides of
The endpoints of XY X Y write the relationships among the segments before
5 5
the triangle. they substitute algebraic expressions for the
segments. The correct expressions should give the
Module 8 398 Lesson 4 correct equations to solve for the lengths.

DIFFERENTIATE INSTRUCTION
GE_MNLESE385795_U2M08L4 398 6/10/15 12:22 AM

Modeling
Have students cut a large scalene triangle from heavy paper. Have them construct
the midpoints of two sides and connect them, forming a midsegment. Then have
them cut along this segment to form a triangle and a trapezoid. Have them rotate
the small triangle and place it next to the trapezoid to form a parallelogram. Ask
students to make conjectures about the relationship between the midsegment and
the base of the triangle.

Midsegments of Triangles 398

 8. Essential Question Check–In Explain how the perimeter of △DEF
compares to that of △ABC.
ELABORATE A

QUESTIONING STRATEGIES F D
How could you use a property of midsegments
The perimeter of △DEF = _ ( )
1 perimeter of △ABC .
2
to find a measurement for something that is C
E
B

difficult to measure directly? Sample answer: If you

cannot measure directly across something like a
pond, you can construct a triangle around it so that Evaluate: Homework and Practice
the distance you want to measure is a midsegment • Online Homework
• Hints and Help
of the triangle. Then you can measure the third side 1. Use a compass and a ruler or geometry software to construct an obtuse triangle. • Extra Practice
Label the vertices. Choose two sides and construct the midpoint of each side; then
of the triangle and divide it by 2 to find the measure label and draw the midsegment. Describe the relationship between the length of the
you are looking for. midsegment and the length of the third side.
Drawings will vary. Students should conclude that the midsegment is half
the length of the third side.
SUMMARIZE THE LESSON The vertices of △WXY are W(-4, 1), X( 0, -5
_(
2. )
_, and Y 4, -1). A is the midpoint of
_ _
Have students fill out a chart to summarize WY, and B is the midpoint of XY. Show that AB ǁWX and AB = _ 1 WX.
2
_ _
what they know about triangle The coordinates of A and B are (0, 0) and (2, -3). The slope of AB and WX

midsegments. Sample: _ _
―
is - 3 , so the lines are parallel. The length of AB is 13 and the length of
―
2
_
WX is 213 , so AB = _ 1 WX.
Triangle Midsegment 2

Definition A line segment that

3. _ vertices of △FGH are F(-1,
The _ 1), G( -5, 4_ ), and H(-5, –2). X is the midpoint of
_
FG, and Y is the midpoint of FH. Show that XY ǁGH and XY = __12 GH.

( ) ( )
connects the 1 . The slope of _
The coordinates of X and Y are -3, _ and -3, -_
5
XY
midpoints of two 2 2
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

_ _
and GH is undefined, so the lines are parallel. The length of XY is 3 and
sides of the triangle _
the length of GH is 6, so XY = _ 1 GH.
Properties Half the length of the 2
_
4. One of the vertices of △PQR is P(3, –2). The midpoint of PQ is M(4, 0).
third side; parallel to _ _ _
The midpoint of QR is N(7, 1). Show that MN ǁ PR and MN = _ 1 PR.
the third side -2 +
2
3+x
_ y
_ = 0, So y = 2.
= 4, So x = 5;
Example Answers will vary. 2 2
The coordinates of Q are (5, 2).
Non-example Answers will vary. 5+x 2+y
_ = 7, So x = 9; _ = 1, So y = 0.
2 2
The coordinates of R are (9, 0).
The slope of ¯ MN and ¯ PR is _
1 , so the lines are parallel. The length of ¯MN is
_
¯
3
―
√ 10 and the length of PR is 2 √10 , so MN = PR. _
1
2

Module 8 399 Lesson 4

LANGUAGE SUPPORT
GE_MNLESE385795_U2M08L4.indd 399 3/22/14 2:36 PM

Communicate Math
Divide students into pairs. Provide each pair with pictures of triangles with
segments joining two sides. Have one student explain why a drawing does or does
not show a midsegment. Encourage the use of the words parallel and midpoint.
Have students measure the distance between the segment and the base at different
intervals to see if the segment and the base are parallel, and to measure the sides
joined by the segment, to see if the segment’s endpoints are the midpoints of the
sides. Students switch roles and repeat the process.

399 Lesson 8.4

 _
5. One_of the vertices of △ABC_is A_ (0, 0). The midpoint of AC is J _
_
1 2( )
3 , 2 . The midpoint
of BC is K (4, 2). Show that JK ǁBA and JK = BA.
_
0+x _
2
=
3
2
0+y
_
2
=2
2
So, the coordinates of C are (3, 4). EVALUATE
x=3 y=4
Use the midpoint formula to find the coordinates of B (x, y).
3+x
_ _4+y
=4 =2
2 2
3+x=8 4+y=4
x=5 y=0
So, the coordinates of B are (5, 0). ASSIGNMENT GUIDE
JK and ¯
The slope of ¯ JK is _
BA is 0, so the lines are parallel. The length of ¯
5
_ 2 Concepts and Skills Practice
and the length of BA is 5, so JK = _1 BA.
2
Explore Exercises 1–3
Find each measure. A Investigating Midsegments of a
Triangle
X Y
68° Example 1 Exercises 4–5
4.6 Describing Midsegments on a
B C
Z Coordinate Grid
15.8
Example 2 Exercises 6–15
6. XY 7. BZ
XY = _
1 BC = _
1 (15.8) = 7.9 BZ = _
1 BC = _
1 (15.8) = 7.9 Using the Triangle Midsegment
2 2 2 2 Theorem

INTEGRATE MATHEMATICAL
PRACTICES
8. AX 9. m∠YZC
Since AX = _
1 AB, find AB first. ∠YZC and ∠XYZ are alternate interior Focus on Math Connections
2
angles, so they are congruent.
AB = 2(YZ) = 2(4.6) = 9.2
m∠YZC = 68° © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
MP.1 Remind students of the key concepts they
AX = _1 AB = _
1 (9.2) = 4.6 need to do the exercises. Define midsegment. Make a
2 2
sketch on the board showing students how to draw a
midsegment, and point out that every triangle has
10. m∠BXY
three midsegments. Add that, in this lesson, students
m∠BXY + m∠ZYX = 180° (same-side interior angles) will primarily work with one midsegment at a time.
m∠BXY + 68° = 180°
m∠BXY = 112°

Module 8 400 Lesson 4

COMMON
Exercise
GE_MNLESE385795_U2M08L4 400 Depth of Knowledge (D.O.K.) CORE Mathematical Practices 10/14/14 9:19 PM

1–15 2 Skills/Concepts MP.6 Precision

16–21 2 Skills/Concepts MP.2 Reasoning
22 3 Strategic Thinking MP.4 Modeling
23 3 Strategic Thinking MP.6 Precision
24 3 Strategic Thinking MP.4 Modeling

Midsegments of Triangles 400

 Algebra Find the value of n in each triangle.
INTEGRATE MATHEMATICAL 11. 12.
PRACTICES 6n
11.3
48
Focus on Communication
n + 4.2
MP.3 Discuss each of the following statements as a
class. Have students explain how the Triangle 6n = _
1 (48) 2(11.3) = n + 4.2
2
Midsegment Theorem justifies their responses. 6n = 24 22.6 = n + 4.2

1. A triangle has three midsegments. n=4 18.4 = n

2. The midsegments form a triangle with a perimeter 13. 14.

equal to one-half the perimeter of the original 14n
n + 12
4n + 9
triangle.
6n
3. The midsegments form a triangle with area equal
to one-fourth the area of the original triangle. 6n = 2(n + 12) 14n = 2(4n + 9)
6n = 2n + 24 14n = 8n + 18
4n = 24 6n = 18
n=6 n=3

15. Line segment XY is a midsegment of △MNP. Determine whether each of the

following statements is true or false. Select the correct answer for each lettered part.

X Y

M
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

a. MP = 2XY True False

1 XY
b. MP = _ True False
2
c. MX = XN True False
1 NX
d. MX = _ True False
2
e. NX = YN True False
1 MP
f. XY = _ True False
2

16. What do you know about two of the midsegments in an isosceles triangle? Explain.
Two of the midsegments will be congruent because their lengths are __
1
2
the length of
congruent sides.

Module 8 401 Lesson 4

GE_MNLESE385795_U2M08L4.indd 401 3/22/14 2:35 PM

401 Lesson 8.4

 17. Suppose you know that the midsegments of a triangle are all 2 units long. What kind
of triangle is it?
PEERTOPEER DISCUSSION
an equilateral triangle with sides 4 units long
Ask students to discuss with a partner how to locate
_ _ _ the midsegments of a triangle drawn in the
18. In △ABC, m∠A = 80°, m∠B = 60°, m∠C = 40°. The midpoints of AB, BC, and AC
are D, E, and F, respectively. Which midsegment will be the longest? Explain how you coordinate plane. Have them use the slope formula or
know.
distance formula and the Triangle Midsegment
¯ is the longest side because it is opposite the largest angle, so midsegment ¯
BC DF will be Theorem to verify that the midsegments are equal to
the longest. one-half the third side and are parallel to the third
19. Draw Conclusions Carl’s Construction is building a pavilion side. Have them draw examples to justify
with an A-frame roof at the local park. Carl has constructed two
triangular frames for the front and back of the roof, similar to their reasoning.
△ABC in the diagram. The base of each frame, represented by
_
AC, is 36 feet _
long. He_ needs to insert a crossbar connecting the
midpoints of AB and BC, for each frame. He has 32 feet of timber
left after constructing the front and back triangles. Is this enough AVOID COMMON ERRORS
to construct the crossbar for both the front and back frame?
Explain. When using triangles in the coordinate plane, some
B
students may assume that the Triangle Midsegment
Theorem applies only to acute, scalene triangles.
D E
Have students work in groups to draw other types of
A C
triangles in the coordinate plane and use algebraic
_ _ expressions to write the triangle relationships that

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • Image Credits: ©Polianskyi

No. If AC is 36 feet long, DE is 18 feet long. Because he needs to insert two crossbars, he
apply to these triangles.
needs 2 × 18, or 36, feet of timber. He needs 4 more feet.

20. Critique Reasoning Line segment_ AB is a midsegment in △PQR. R

Kayla calculated the length of AB. Her work is shown below. Is her
answer correct? If not, explain her error. B
25
2(QR) = AB
2(25) = AB Q
A
P
50 = AB
No, it is not correct. The equation should have __
1
2
QR on the left instead of 2(QR).

21. Using words or diagrams, tell how to construct a midsegment using only a
Igor/Shutterstock

straightedge and a compass.

Possible answer: First construct a triangle with a straightedge. Next use the compass to
find the midpoint of two sides of the triangle. Finally, connect the two midpoints to create
a midsegment parallel to the third side.

Module 8 402 Lesson 4

GE_MNLESE385795_U2M08L4.indd 402 5/22/14 10:16 PM

Midsegments of Triangles 402

JOURNAL H.O.T. Focus on Higher Order Thinking

Have students explain how to find the length of a 22. Multi–Step A city park will be shaped like a right triangle,
_
and _there will be two pathways for pedestrians, shown by VT
midsegment when given the length of the and VW in the diagram. The park planner only wrote two
parallel side. lengths on his sketch as shown. Based on the diagram, what
will be the lengths of the two pathways?

30 yd
V W

X Z
T
24 yd
VW = _1 (XZ) = _1 (24) = 12
2 2
24 2 + (YZ) = 30 2 (Pyth. Thm.)
2
VT = _1 (YZ) = _1 (18) = 9
2 2
576 + (YZ) = 900 VW = 12 yd; VT = 9 yd
2

(YZ) 2 = 324
YZ = 18

23. Communicate Mathematical Ideas △XYZ is the midsegment of △PQR. Q

Write a congruence statement involving all four of the smaller triangles. What
is the relationship between the area of △XYZ and △PQR? X Y

△QXY ≅ △XPZ ≅ △YZR ≅ △ZYX; P R

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • Image Credits: ©Carey

Z
area of △XYZ = __1 area of △PQR
4
_ _
24. Copy the diagram shown. AB is a midsegment of △XYZ. CD is a Z
midsegment of △ABZ.
a. What is the length of ¯
AB? What is the ratio of AB to XY? C D
1_
AB = (XY), so AB is 32. The ratio of AB to XY is 32:64, or 1:2. A B
2
b. What is the length of ¯
CD? What is the ratio of CD to XY? E F
1_
CD = (AB), so CD is 16. The ratio of CD to XY is 16:64, or 1:4.
2
_ X
64
Y
c. Draw EF such that points E and F are __34 the distance from point Z
Hope/iStockPhoto.com

points X and Y. What is the ratio of EF to XY? What is the length

to _
of EF?
_
3 3
EF = (XY) = (64) = 48 _
4 4
The length of ¯ EF is 48, so the ratio of EF to XY is 48:64, or 3:4.

d. Make a conjecture about the length of non-midsegments when compared to the

length of the third side.
The length of the non-midsegment compared to the length of the third side is the same as
the ratio of the distance of the segment from the vertex opposite the third side compared
to the whole triangle.
Module 8 403 Lesson 4

GE_MNLESE385795_U2M08L4.indd 403 5/22/14 10:21 PM

403 Lesson 8.4

 Lesson Performance Task
AVOID COMMON ERRORS
The figure shows part of a common roof design _ _ using
_very
_strong
_ and_ stable triangular trusses.
Points B, C, D, F, G, and I are midpoints of AC, AE, CE, GE, HE and AH respectively. What is Students may mistakenly assume that because B, C,
the total length of all the stabilizing bars inside △AEH? Explain how you found the answer. _
and D divide AE into four congruent segments, G
_
and F must divide HE into three congruent segments,
A _
and that J and I divide AH into three congruent
B segments. Point out that because G is the midpoint of
J _
HE, GF and FE are each only half of HG. Similarly,
20 ft
I
C
4 ft _
because I is the midpoint of AH, AJ and JI are each
D
only half of IH.
G F
H E
14 ft

INTEGRATE MATHEMATICAL
By the Midsegment Theorem, IC = 7 ft and CG = 10 ft because they are, respectively, half
of HE and AH. CH = 8 ft because it is twice DG. DF = 5 ft, JB = 3.5 ft, and IB = 4 ft because
PRACTICES
they are, respectively, half of CG, IC, and HC. Focus on Critical Thinking
Total length: JB + IB + IC + CH + CG + DG + DF = 3.5 + 4 + 7 + 8 + 10 + 4 + 5 = 41.5 ft
MP.3 On the roof truss diagrammed below,
_ _
D, E,
and F are the midpoints of, respectively, AC, AB,
_
and CB.
A

D E

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

C B
F

Compare the perimeter and area of ▵ABC with those

of ▵DEF. Explain how you found your answers.
Students can use the Midsegment Theorem and the
_ _ _
facts that DE, EF, and DF are parallel to and half the
_ _ _
length of, respectively, CB, AC, and AB to establish
that (1) the perimeter of ▵DEF is half that of ▵ABC,
and (2) the four small triangles in the diagram are
congruent, which means that the area of ▵DEF is
Module 8 404 Lesson 4
one-fourth that of ▵ABC.

EXTENSION ACTIVITY
GE_MNLESE385795_U2M08L4.indd 404 3/22/14 2:35 PM

Have students research tri-bearing roof trusses. Among topics they can report on:
• the definition of tri-bearing roof truss;
• the design of such a truss, together with a drawing and typical measurements;
• the meaning of the term tri-bearing;
• a description of the relationship between tri-bearing roof trusses and the
Scoring Rubric
Midsegment Theorem.
2 points: Student correctly solves the problem and explains his/her reasoning.
1 point: Student shows good understanding of the problem but does not fully
solve or explain.
0 points: Student does not demonstrate understanding of the problem.

Midsegments of Triangles 404