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Vector Algebra

Question
CBSEENMA12034043

Show that the lines joining the mid-points of the opposite sides of a quadrilateral bisect each other.

Solution

Let straight a with rightwards arrow on top comma space straight b with rightwards arrow on top comma space straight c with rightwards arrow on top comma space straight d with rightwards arrow on top be position vectors of vertices A, B, C, D of quadrilateral ABCD.
              Let P, Q, R, S be mid-points of the sides AB, BC, CD, DA respectively of quadrilateral ABCD.
         therefore space space space space position vectors of P, Q, R, S are

                 fraction numerator straight a with rightwards arrow on top space plus space straight b with rightwards arrow on top over denominator 2 end fraction comma space fraction numerator straight b with rightwards arrow on top plus straight c with rightwards arrow on top over denominator 2 end fraction comma space fraction numerator straight c with rightwards arrow on top plus straight d with rightwards arrow on top over denominator 2 end fraction comma space fraction numerator straight d with rightwards arrow on top plus straight a with rightwards arrow on top over denominator 2 end fraction respectively.
          Position vectors of mid - point of PR is
                              fraction numerator begin display style fraction numerator straight a with rightwards arrow on top space plus space straight b with rightwards arrow on top over denominator 2 end fraction end style plus begin display style fraction numerator straight c with rightwards arrow on top plus straight d with rightwards arrow on top over denominator 2 end fraction end style over denominator 2 end fraction space straight i. straight e. space space fraction numerator straight a with rightwards arrow on top plus straight b with rightwards arrow on top plus straight c with rightwards arrow on top plus straight d with rightwards arrow on top over denominator 4 end fraction
        Position vector of mid- point of QS is
                               fraction numerator begin display style fraction numerator straight b with rightwards arrow on top plus straight c with rightwards arrow on top over denominator 2 end fraction end style plus begin display style fraction numerator straight d with rightwards arrow on top plus straight a with rightwards arrow on top over denominator 2 end fraction end style over denominator 2 end fraction space space space space straight i. straight e. space space fraction numerator straight a with rightwards arrow on top plus straight b with rightwards arrow on top plus straight c with rightwards arrow on top plus straight d with rightwards arrow on top over denominator 4 end fraction
Since position vector of mid-points of PR and QS is same.
∴    lines joining the mid-points of the opposite sides of a quadrilateral bisect each other.