A parallelogram and a line joining a vertex to the midpoint of opposite side

Question

In a parallelogram ABCD. M is the midpoint of CD. Line BM intersects AC at L and it also intersects AD extended at E. Prove that EL=2BL

PS: This is not a homework problem. I was solving geometry for fun. I'm unable to solve this. :(

Answer 1

Let BD and AC intersects at point O. We have triangle BCD. BO=OD because ABCD is parallelogram. In this triangle CO and BM are medians. Medians intersects in one point and divide each other in relation 2:1. So BL = 2LM.

Also BM = ME thus triangle MBC = triangle MDE because they are congruent and DM = CM.

So BL = 2/3 BM => BL = 2EL.

Answer 2

Here is a different way to look at it.

Make two copies of the parallelogram, sharing the side CD.

The second copy is A'B'DC.

We will show that B'=E.

Consider $\triangle{B'AB}$ and $\triangle{B'DM}$. These are similar and since B'D = AD, we have that DM = AB/2. M is the midpoint of CD and thus B' = E.

Thus B'L' = BL.

Now consider $\triangle{B'DL'}$ and $\triangle{B'AL}$. These are similar and so B'L' = LL', as B'D = AD.

Thus EL = EL' + LL' = 2B'L' = 2BL.

Answer 3

Given:

1. $ABCD$ is a parallelogram

2. $M$ is the midpoint of $CD$.

To prove that:

• $EL = 2BL$

Proof:

• In $ΔDME$ and $ΔCMB$

$<EDM=<BCM$ (alt.angles)

$DM=CM$ (midpoint of M)

$<DME=<BMC$ (V.O.A)

Therefore $ΔDME$ congruent to $ΔCMB$ (ASA congruence)

$DE=BC$(c.p.c.t)

In $ΔALE$ and $ΔBLC$

$<ALE=<BLC$ (V.O.A)

$<AEL=<LBC$ (alt. angles)

Therefore $ΔALE$ congruent to $ΔBLC$ (AA congruence)

$AE/BC=AL/LC=EL/BL$ (corresponding sides)

$EL/BL=AE/FC$

$EL/BL=AD+DE/BC$

$EL/BL=BC+BC/BC$ ($AD=BC$ and $BC=DE$)

$EL/BL=2BC/BC$

$EL/BL=2$

$EL=2BL$

Hence proved.