Toolkit 110

Trapezoid Midsegment Theorem

Trapezoid midsegment theorem

MN is the midsegment of trapezoid ABCD.

MNABCDMN\parallel AB\parallel CD
MN=AB+CD2MN=\frac{AB+CD}{2}

Proof

Proof of Trapezoid Midsegment Theorem

Assume on contrary that MN∦ABMN\not\parallel AB.

Draw parallel lines from M and N.

By Toolkit 109 — Triangle Proportionality Theorem and its Converse in DAB\triangle DAB,

DEEB=DMMA=1\frac{DE}{EB}=\frac{DM}{MA}=1

Therefore, E is the midpoint of DB.

By Toolkit 109 — Triangle Proportionality Theorem and its Converse in DBC\triangle DBC,

BEED=BNNC=1\frac{BE'}{E'D}=\frac{BN}{NC}=1

Therefore, E' is the midpoint of DB.

E=EE=E'
MNABCD.MN\parallel AB\parallel CD.\quad\square
Proof of trapezoid midsegment length formula

By Toolkit 109 — Triangle Proportionality Theorem and its Converse in DAB\triangle DAB,

MEAB=DMDA=12\frac{ME}{AB}=\frac{DM}{DA}=\frac12
ME=AB2ME=\frac{AB}{2}

Similarly,

NE=CD2NE=\frac{CD}{2}
MN=ME+NE=AB+CD2.MN=ME+NE=\frac{AB+CD}{2}.\quad\square