whats the general way to proove something like 'prove that points C,X and E lie on the same straight line in this quadriateral'
i know it's a stupid question but help me if you can
2007-03-05 05:24:34 · 5 answers · asked by jenny 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
A quadrilateral is a plane figure enclosed by four straight lines.
IF C,X,and E lie on the same straaight line they are collinear by definition. If two of the points lie on one side but the thir poin does not lie on the same side, then the three points are not collinear.
The intersection of two adjacent sides lies on each of the two adjacent sides. If CE is one side and X lies between C and E then C,X,and E are collinear.
2007-03-05 06:05:13 · answer #1 · answered by ironduke8159 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not a stupid question!
a few ways to prove it are:
u could calculate the area of the triangle formed by the points C, X and E. if the points are colinear, the area should be 0.
u could form a circle with the points C and E (for example) and show that the point X does not lie on the circle.
the distence from C to X plus the distence from X to E should be equal to the distence from C to E.
2007-03-05 06:30:37 · answer #2 · answered by kate 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the points are in a coordinate plane then couldn't you use the coordinates of C and X to find a line CX and C and E to find a line CE. If you get the same equation then C, X, and E would be colinear.
2007-03-05 05:29:17 · answer #3 · answered by PKM 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's no general way to prove anything in maths. The problem must be well understood and any technique is in principle valid as long as it uses well established results that lead to a required conclusion!
2007-03-05 05:29:23 · answer #4 · answered by physicist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can see why you're taking maths and not English.
proving.
Pkm is right
2007-03-05 05:52:56 · answer #5 · answered by Emilee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋