Thales’ Theorem (Basic Proportionality Theorem) 1

Thales of Miletus
(/ˈθeɪliːz/ THAY-leez; Greek: Θαλῆς c. 624 – 620 B.C.E. — c. 548 – 545 B.C.E.)
The ancient Greek philosopher Thales was born in Miletus in
Greek Ionia. Aristotle, the major source for Thales’s philosophy and
science, identified Thales as the first person to investigate the basic
principles, the question of the originating substances of matter and,
therefore, as the founder of the school of natural philosophy. Thales
was interested in almost everything, investigating almost all areas of
knowledge, philosophy, history, science, mathematics, engineering,
geography, and politics.

In mathematics, Thales is the namesake of Thales' theorem,

and the intercept theorem can also be known as Thales' theorem.
Thales was said to have calculated the heights of the pyramids and the distance of ships from
the shore. In science, Thales was an astronomer who reportedly predicted the weather and a
solar eclipse. He was also credited with discovering the position of the constellation Ursa Major
as well as the timings of the solstices and equinoxes. Thales was also an engineer; credited with
diverting the Halys River.

Thales’ Theorem (Basic Proportionality Theorem)

Statement: “If a line is drawn parallel to one side of the triangle, intersecting the other two
sides at distinct points, then the other two sides are divided in the same ratio”.

OR

In a triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 if 𝐷 and 𝐸 lie on 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐴𝐶 respectively in such a way that 𝐷𝐸 is

parallel to 𝐵𝐶 then ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 ~ ∆𝐴𝐷𝐸 and,

𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐶 𝐵𝐶
= =
𝐴𝐷 𝐴𝐸 𝐷𝐸
𝐴
Proof in Affine Geometry:
Given: 𝛼

Given, a triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 be shown in figure as,

with angles 𝑚∠𝐶𝐴𝐵 = 𝛼, 𝑚∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 = 𝛽 and 𝑚∠𝐵𝐶𝐴 = 𝛾. 𝛽 𝛾

𝐵 𝐶
Construction: 𝐴

Let we draw a line 𝑙 parallel to the side 𝐵𝐶 of ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶

meeting the sides 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐴𝐶 of ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 at points 𝐷 and 𝐸 𝛼
respectively, shown in figure as. 𝐷 𝐸

𝛽 𝛾
𝐵 𝐶

Affine & Euclidean Geometry (MATH – 404)

2 Abdul Basit (M. Phil. Mathematics), Lecturer (Mathematics), Govt Post Graduate College, Muzaffargarh

Proof:

Note that, we have two triangles ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 and ∆𝐴𝐷𝐸. Also, we know that, if a transversal
cut two parallel lines, then corresponding angles are congruent. So,

∠𝐶𝐴𝐵 ≅ ∠𝐸𝐴𝐷, ∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 ≅ ∠𝐴𝐷𝐸, ∠𝐵𝐶𝐴 ≅ ∠𝐷𝐸𝐴

So, both triangles ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 and ∆𝐴𝐷𝐸 are congruent. And so,

𝑚∠𝐶𝐴𝐵 = 𝑚∠𝐸𝐴𝐷, 𝑚∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 = 𝑚∠𝐴𝐷𝐸, 𝑚∠𝐵𝐶𝐴 = 𝑚∠𝐷𝐸𝐴

Let,

𝑚∠𝐶𝐴𝐵 = 𝛼, 𝑚∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 = 𝛽, 𝑚∠𝐵𝐶𝐴 = 𝛾

Then,

𝑚∠𝐸𝐴𝐷 = 𝛼, 𝑚∠𝐴𝐷𝐸 = 𝛽, 𝑚∠𝐷𝐸𝐴 = 𝛾

By Law of Sines in triangle ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶, we get,

𝐴𝐵 𝐵𝐶 𝐶𝐴
= = (1)
sin 𝛾 sin 𝛼 sin 𝛽

By Law of Sines in triangle ∆𝐴𝐷𝐸, we get,

𝐴𝐷 𝐷𝐸 𝐸𝐴
= = (2)
sin 𝛾 sin 𝛼 sin 𝛽

By dividing equation (1) by equation (2), we get,

𝐴𝐵 𝐵𝐶 𝐶𝐴
sin 𝛾 sin 𝛼 sin 𝛽 𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐶 𝐵𝐶
𝐴𝐷 = 𝐷𝐸 = 𝐸𝐴 ⟹ = =
𝐴𝐷 𝐴𝐸 𝐷𝐸
sin 𝛾 sin 𝛼 sin 𝛽

Hence, In a triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 if 𝐷 and 𝐸 lie on 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐴𝐶 respectively in such a way that 𝐷𝐸 is
parallel to 𝐵𝐶 then ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 ~ ∆𝐴𝐷𝐸 and,

𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐶 𝐵𝐶
= =
𝐴𝐷 𝐴𝐸 𝐷𝐸
OR

If a line is drawn parallel to one side of the triangle, intersecting the other two sides at distinct
points, then the other two sides are divided in the same ratio.

Hence Proved the theorem.

Affine & Euclidean Geometry (MATH – 404)

 Thales’ Theorem (Basic Proportionality Theorem) 3

Proof in Euclidean Geometry: 𝐴

Given:

Given, a triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 be shown in figure as,

Construction: 𝐵 𝐶
𝐴
Let we draw a line 𝑙 parallel to the side 𝐵𝐶
𝑁 𝑀
of ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 meeting the sides 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐴𝐶 of ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 at points
𝐷 and 𝐸 respectively. Also, draw altitudes
(perpendiculars) in ∆𝐴𝐷𝐸. One from vertex 𝐸 to side 𝐴𝐷 𝐷 𝐸
and other from vertex 𝐷 to side 𝐴𝐸. Also, join vertex 𝐶 to
vertex 𝐷 and vertex 𝐵 to vertex 𝐸.
𝐵 𝐶
Proof:

As we know that,

1
Area of traingle = × base × altitude
2
So,

1
Area of ∆𝐴𝐷𝐸 = × 𝐴𝐷 × 𝐸𝑁 (1)
2
1
Area of ∆𝐷𝐵𝐸 = × 𝐷𝐵 × 𝐸𝑁 (2)
2
1
Area of ∆𝐴𝐷𝐸 = × 𝐴𝐸 × 𝐷𝑀 (3)
2
1
Area of ∆𝐷𝐸𝐶 = × 𝐸𝐶 × 𝐷𝑀 (4)
2
Dividing equation (1) by equation (2), we get,
1
Area of ∆𝐴𝐷𝐸 2 × 𝐴𝐷 × 𝐸𝑁 𝐴𝐷
= = (𝐴)
Area of ∆𝐷𝐵𝐸 1 × 𝐷𝐵 × 𝐸𝑁 𝐷𝐵
2

Dividing equation (3) by equation (4), we get,

1
Area of ∆𝐴𝐷𝐸 2 × 𝐴𝐶 × 𝐷𝑀 𝐴𝐶
= = (𝐵)
Area of ∆𝐷𝐸𝐶 1 × 𝐸𝐶 × 𝐷𝑀 𝐸𝐶
2

But, ∆𝐷𝐵𝐸 and ∆𝐷𝐸𝐶 are on the same base 𝐷𝐸 and between the same parallel lines 𝐵𝐶 and 𝐷𝐸.
So,

Affine & Euclidean Geometry (MATH – 404)

4 Abdul Basit (M. Phil. Mathematics), Lecturer (Mathematics), Govt Post Graduate College, Muzaffargarh

Area of ∆𝐷𝐵𝐸 = Area of ∆𝐷𝐸𝐶 (5)

So, from equations (𝐴) and (𝐵), we have,

𝐴𝐷 𝐴𝐶
=
𝐷𝐵 𝐸𝐶
Hence, if a line is drawn parallel to one side of the triangle, intersecting the other two sides at
distinct points, then the other two sides are divided in the same ratio.

Hence Proved the theorem.

Affine & Euclidean Geometry (MATH – 404)