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Routh's Theorem

If the sides of a Triangle are divided in the ratios $\lambda:1$, $\mu:1$, and $\nu:1$, the Cevians form a central Triangle whose Area is

\begin{displaymath}
A={(\lambda\mu\nu-1)^2\over (\lambda\mu+\lambda+1)(\mu\nu+\mu+1)(\nu\lambda+\nu+1)} \,\Delta,
\end{displaymath} (1)

where $\Delta$ is the Area of the original Triangle. For $\lambda=\mu=\nu\equiv n$,
\begin{displaymath}
A={(n-1)^2\over n^2+n+1}\Delta.
\end{displaymath} (2)

For $n=1$, 2, 3, ..., the areas are 0, 1/7, 4/13, 3/7, 16/31, 25/43, .... The Area of the Triangle formed by connecting the division points on each side is
\begin{displaymath}
A'={\lambda\mu\nu\over (\lambda+1)(\mu+1)(\nu+1)}\,\Delta.
\end{displaymath} (3)

Routh's theorem gives Ceva's Theorem and Menelaus' Theorem as special cases.

See also Ceva's Theorem, Cevian, Menelaus' Theorem


References

Coxeter, H. S. M. Introduction to Geometry, 2nd ed. New York: Wiley, pp. 211-212, 1969.




© 1996-9 Eric W. Weisstein
1999-05-25