Skip to main content
K12 LibreTexts

4.19: Midsegment Theorem

  • Page ID
    4816
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    ( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

    \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

    \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}}      % arrow\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}}      % arrow\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

    \(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)

    Midsegment of a triangle joins the midpoints of two sides and is half the length of the side it is parallel to.

    A line segment that connects two midpoints of the sides of a triangle is called a midsegment. \(\overline{DF}\) is the midsegment between \(\overline{AB}\) and \(\overline{BC}\).

    f-d_7a6fdd253dc7cd459a6328b4683b6685e37937d39abc1a821e21c3cf+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    The tic marks show that \(D\) and \(F\) are midpoints. \(\overline{AD}\cong \overline{DB}\) and \(\overline{BF}\cong \overline{FC}\). For every triangle there are three midsegments.

    f-d_e4bf19775f25fca673edadd5dc98ade9dad694f6d67e572b2b111afd+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\)

    There are two important properties of midsegments that combine to make the Midsegment Theorem. The Midsegment Theorem states that the midsegment connecting the midpoints of two sides of a triangle is parallel to the third side of the triangle, and the length of this midsegment is half the length of the third side. So, if \(\overline{DF}\) is a midsegment of \(\Delta ABC\), then \(DF=\dfrac{1}{2}AC=AE=EC\) and \(\overline{DF} \parallel \overline{AC}\).

    f-d_223aa51dc6b4e68bbc20a3665d6597ec145252ae4546c6d52ae237cc+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\)

    Note that there are two important ideas here. One is that the midsegment is parallel to a side of the triangle. The other is that the midsegment is always half the length of this side.

    What if you were given \(\Delta FGH\) and told that \(\overline{JK}\) was its midsegment? How could you find the length of \(JK\) given the length of the triangle's third side, \(FH\)?

    Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Find the value of \(x\) and AB. \(A\) and \(B\) are midpoints.

    f-d_b5882a9b2e17a9efb1a0bc04537a87463176c41d73f87a1f36d8e72e+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\)

    Solution

    \(AB=34\div 2=17\). To find \(x\), set \(3x−1\) equal to 17.

    \(\begin{align*} 3x−1&=17 \\ 3x&=18 \\ x&=6\end{align*}\)

    Example \(\PageIndex{2}\)

    True or false: If a line passes through two sides of a triangle and is parallel to the third side, then it is a midsegment.

    Solution

    This statement is false. A line that passes through two sides of a triangle is only a midsegment if it passes through the midpoints of the two sides of the triangle.

    Example \(\PageIndex{3}\)

    The vertices of \(\Delta LMN\) are \(L(4,5),\: M(−2,−7)\:and\: N(−8,3)\). Find the midpoints of all three sides, label them O, P and Q. Then, graph the triangle, plot the midpoints and draw the midsegments.

    Solution

    To solve this problem, use the midpoint formula 3 times to find all the midpoints. Recall that the midpoint formula is \(\left(\dfrac{x_1+x_2}{2},\dfrac{y_1+y_2}{2}\right)\).

    \(L\) and \(M=\left(\dfrac{4+(−2)}{2}, \dfrac{5+(−7)}{2}\right)=(1,−1),\: point\: O\)

    \(M\) and \(N=\left(\dfrac{−2+(−8)}{2},\dfrac{−7+3}{2}\right)=(−5,−2),\: point\: P\)

    \(L\) and \(N=\left(\dfrac{4+(−8)}{2}, \dfrac{5+3}{2}\right)=(−2,4),\: point\: Q\)

    f-d_8a9d8e4bdbbb1b6825c4d7d618b47343ba54f174d435c4e2c29d7cee+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\)

    Example \(\PageIndex{4}\)

    f-d_223aa51dc6b4e68bbc20a3665d6597ec145252ae4546c6d52ae237cc+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\)

    Mark all the congruent segments on \(\Delta ABC\) with midpoints \(D\), \(E\), and \(F\).

    Solution

    Drawing in all three midsegments, we have:

    f-d_31c4ae81be92cfb678bb438a2b50cc826368bb6f064866fe182ff74b+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{7}\)

    Also, this means the four smaller triangles are congruent by SSS.

    Now, mark all the parallel lines on \(\Delta ABC\), with midpoints \(D\), \(E\), and \(F\).

    f-d_5ff85da6406c46e1b200d0e870306af335ce7db019c0b63c74dfec2b+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\)

    Example \(\PageIndex{5}\)

    \(M\), \(N\), and \(O\) are the midpoints of the sides of \(\Delta \(x\)YZ\).

    f-d_e3142e219ecaad6b5b0ed87dd22e99ecaff22908272b2137944f9131+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{9}\)

    Solution

    Find \(MN\), \(XY\), and the perimeter of \(\Delta \(x\)YZ\).

    Use the Midsegment Theorem:

    \(MN=OZ=5\)

    \(XY=2(ON)=2\cdot 4=8\)

    Add up the three sides of \(\Delta XYZ\) to find the perimeter.

    \(XY+YZ+XZ=2\cdot 4+2\cdot 3+2\cdot 5=8+6+10=24\)

    Remember: No line segment over MN means length or distance.

    Review

    Determine whether each statement is true or false.

    1. The endpoints of a midsegment are midpoints.
    2. A midsegment is parallel to the side of the triangle that it does not intersect.
    3. There are three congruent triangles formed by the midsegments and sides of a triangle.
    4. There are three midsegments in every triangle.

    R, S, T, and U are midpoints of the sides of \(\Delta XPO\) and \(\Delta YPO\)

    f-d_2441e8d9c75f7d5d4c227b492ef6167257c0f3240c09b33e419e9e90+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{10}\)
    1. If \(OP=12\), find \(RS\) and \(TU\).
    2. If \(RS=8\), find \(TU\).
    3. If \(RS=2x\), and \(OP=20\), find \(x\) and \(TU\).
    4. If \(OP=4x\) and \(RS=6x−8\), find \(x\).

    For questions 9-15, find the indicated variable(s). You may assume that all line segments within a triangle are midsegments.

    1. f-d_070cf180e81ddcc1ad5711eb581d51faf2ea81b113520df76d66ba41+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
      Figure \(\PageIndex{11}\)
    2. f-d_340cf28562eae4ffe0d110f0a6679a8a1f9116ee81cb7e15c78c2dcb+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
      Figure \(\PageIndex{12}\)
    3. f-d_ac6225e4c63639df3080fdab203a26617c7f68556a3b325600b7831b+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
      Figure \(\PageIndex{13}\)
    4. f-d_ab0a33f7888b3bb9ca62b07b088e968b45cbaa14b43024be1892de44+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
      Figure \(\PageIndex{14}\)
    5. f-d_b3b6a93ee414586149cabfad39dcc878c8d3ba8088785a0bd4afee1a+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
      Figure \(\PageIndex{15}\)
    6. f-d_9c5bbdb57d524e49f47128f38cc42af9232222d0bcccfdbe53a83039+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
      Figure \(\PageIndex{16}\)
    7. f-d_9e46ca3d88e46d85a6a5afe5916f378562b0a0d0f2ecc938d5b202e2+IMAGE_TINY+IMAGE_TINY.png
      Figure \(\PageIndex{17}\)
    8. The sides of \(\Delta XYZ\) are 26, 38, and 42. \(\Delta ABC\) is formed by joining the midpoints of \(\Delta XYZ\).
      1. What are the lengths of the sides of \(\Delta ABC\)?
      2. Find the perimeter of \(\Delta ABC\).
      3. Find the perimeter of \(\Delta XYZ\).
      4. What is the relationship between the perimeter of a triangle and the perimeter of the triangle formed by connecting its midpoints?

    Coordinate Geometry Given the vertices of \(\Delta ABC\) below find the midpoints of each side.

    1. \(A(5,−2),\: B(9,4)\: and\: C(−3,8)\)
    2. \(A(−10,1),\: B(4,11)\: and \:C(0,−7)\)
    3. \(A(−1,3),\: B(5,7)\: and\: C(9,−5)\)
    4. \(A(−4,−15),\: B(2,−1)\: and\: C(−20,11)\)

    Review (Answers)

    To see the Review answers, open this PDF file and look for section 5.1.

    Resources

    Vocabulary

    Term Definition
    midsegment A midsegment connects the midpoints of two sides of a triangle or the non-parallel sides of a trapezoid.
    Congruent Congruent figures are identical in size, shape and measure.
    Midpoint Formula The midpoint formula says that for endpoints \((x_1,y_1)\) and \((x_2,y_2)\), the midpoint is (\dfrac{x_1+x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1+y_2}{2})\).

    Additional Resources

    Video: Determining Unknown Values Using Properties of the Midsegments of a Triangle

    Activities: Midsegment Theorem Discussion Questions

    Study Aids: Bisectors, Medians, Altitudes Study Guide

    Practice: Midsegment Theorem

    Real World: Midsegment Theorem


    This page titled 4.19: Midsegment Theorem is shared under a CK-12 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by CK-12 Foundation via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

    CK-12 Foundation
    LICENSED UNDER
    CK-12 Foundation is licensed under CK-12 Curriculum Materials License
    • Was this article helpful?