Chapter 6

Length-2

6.1 Notes
In the last section, we discussed some general tips for finding lengths in geometry.
However, there is a special kind of diagram: one that only uses ratios and lines. Then we
have some specialized but very powerful tools. Here, we will learn about the technique of
mass points.
In mass point problems, pick a point to be the center point (usually, pick one with
lots of symmetric properties). Then, place masses at the other points so that they balance
along all lines like a lever.
Levers work as follows: if there is a mass of A at distance a from the center on one side
of a line, and there is a mass of B at a distance b from the center on the other side, then
A · a = B · b. This is best illustrated with an example.

Example 6.1.1. What should the ratio of the masses at the vertices of a triangle be to
balance the triangle at the incenter?

Proof. Let the triangle be ABC with incenter I. Let the line AI, which is an angle bisector,
hit BC at D. Then the lever principle has to hold, so since BD AB
CD = AC , the ratio of masses
at B and C must be AC : AB to balance out the multiplication.
AE AB
But similarly, we can draw BI to hit AC at E. Then CE = BC , so the ratio of masses
at A and C must be BC : AB. Thus, the ratio of masses at A, B, C is just BC : AC : AB ;
it can be checked that this is consistent with drawing CI as well.

Let’s do a more complicated example to show the power of mass points. Basically, we
can use mass points to balance a triangle!

Example 6.1.2. We are given a triangle ABC with AB = 7, BC = 9, AC = 10. A circle

with center A intersects AB at D and AC at E, and CD and BE intersect at F . AF
intersects BC at G. Find the radius of the circle if BG = 18
5 .

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MC35G Chapter 6. Length-2

Proof. Let’s use mass points to balance the triangle at F . If BG = 18 18

5 , then CG = 9 − 5 =
27
5 ; notice that BG : CG = 2 : 3, so the masses at B and C are in the ratio 3 to 2. Since
we can scale up by a constant, let’s just say the mass at B is 3 and the mass of C is 2.
Call the radius r. Then AD = r, BD = 7 − r, so the ratio of masses at A and B is
7 − r : r. Similarly, AE = r, CE = 10 − r, so the ratio of masses at A and C is 10 − r : r.
Let the actual mass at A be a; then
a 7−r a 10 − r
= , =
3 r 2 r
so a = 3(7−r)
r = 2(10−r)
r , and we can solve for r now: 3(7−r) = 2(10−r), so 21−3r = 20−2r
and r = 1 .

There are other theorems that are based on this idea of having lines from vertices to
opposite sides (called cevians) through a central point:
Theorem 6.1.3 (Ceva’s theorem). Let D, E, and F be points on BC, AC, and AB,
respectively, so that AD, BE, and CF are cevians intersecting at P . Then
AF BD CE
· · =1
F B DC EA

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MC35G Chapter 6. Length-2

Proof. The easiest way to prove this is to use a symmetric condition; that is, write things
[AF P ] [AF C]
in terms of P . Notice that because FAFB = [BF P ] = [BF C] , we can get rid of the intermediate
point F and just say
AF [AF C] − [AF P ] [AP C]
= =
FB [BF C] − [BF P ] [BP C]
but now, if we just write these out for all three expressions,
AF BD CE [AP C] [BP A] [CP B]
· · = · · =1
F B DC EA [BP C] [CP A] [AP B]
and everything cancels, completing the proof.

Ceva’s theorem deals with three lines that meet at a point, but there is another
theorem that deals with three points that are on a line:
Theorem 6.1.4 (Menelaus’ Theorem). Let ABC be a triangle, and let D, E, and F be
points on BC, AC, and AB respectively, such that D, E, and F are collinear. Then
AF BD CE
· · = −1
F B DC EA

Proof. First of all, let’s address a few things. Notice that the left hand side is exactly the
same as that for Ceva, but the right hand side has a negative sign. Here, we use signed
lengths: that is, if AF and F B are in the same direction, their ratio is positive, and if
they are in opposite directions, the ratio is negative. This is not required for calculations;
just ignore the negative sign in those cases!
For the proof of Ceva, we used area because we had lines through a point. This time,
let’s use lengths, since we have points on a line. We can think of this problem as having
a line DEF and three points A, B, and C off of it. Let’s say their distances to the line
are x, y, and z. What can we say about FAFB ? Well, because line segment AB is just tilted
from line DEF , that ratio is just xy (more rigorously, drop perpendiculars from A and B
and use similar triangles). Repeating this for the other side lengths,
AF BD CE x y z
· · = · · =1
F B DC EA y z x

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MC35G Chapter 6. Length-2

and then the negative sign comes from the fact that the lengths are in opposite directions
only when the two points (in this case B and C) are on the same side of the line. This
completes the proof.

How can you remember Ceva and Menelaus? The easiest way is to think of traveling
around the triangle. If you follow one segment (or line) of the triangle and hit two points
( FAFB ), then move along another segment and hit two more points ( BD
DC ), then move along
the last segment of the triangle and land back where you started ( CEEA ), the ratios cancel
to 1. It is much easier to think of this in practice than to remember the actual letters!

Example 6.1.5 (HMMT 2003 February Guts # 39). In the figure, if AE = 3, CE =

1, BD = CD = 2, and AB = 5, find AG.

AG
Solution. AG is part of AD, so let’s try to find the length of AD and also GD .
First of all, AD is a line in the middle of a triangle, so we should use Stewart’s theorem.
We know that AB = 5, BC = 4, AC = 4, and BD = CD = 2, so

2 · 4 · 2 + AD · 4 · AD = 4 · 2 · 4 + 5 · 2 · 5
16 + 4AD2 = 82
33
AD2 =
2
q √
66
so AD = 33 2 = 2 . Now, we have lots of ratios, and we want to go through point G, so
let’s pick triangle ADC with line BGE through it. Then by Menelaus,
AG DB CE AG 2 1
· · = 1 =⇒ · · =1
GD BC EA GD 4 3
√ √
AG 66 66
so GD= 6. Therefore, if AG = 6x, GD = x, then 6x + x = AD = 2 , so x = 14 and
√
3 66
our answer is AG = 6x = .
7

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6.2 Examples
1. (Ali Gurel) In triangle 4ABC, angle bisector AD, median BE and altitude CF are
concurrent (go through the same point). If AB = 6, and AC = 3, what is BC 2 ?

2. (Classic) Use Angle Bisector Theorem and Ceva’s Theorem to show that the interior
angles of a triangle intersect at the same point. If I is this intersection point (incenter)
and AD is an angle bisector find use Menelaus Theorem to find AI/ID in terms of
side lengths of the triangle a, b, c.

3. (Challenging Pr in Geo p39 q15) Side AB of square ABCD is extended to P so that

BP = 2AB. With M , the midpoint of DC, BM is drawn meeting AC at Q. P Q
CR
meets BC at R. Using Menelaus’s Theorem, find the ratio RB .

4. (Challenging Pr in Geo p37 q8) In right 4ABC, P and Q are on BC and AC,
respectively, such that CP = CQ = 2. Through the point of intersection, R, of AP
and BQ, a line is drawn also passing through C and meeting AB at S. P Q extended
meets line AB at T . If the hypotenuse AB = 10 and AC = 8, find T S.

6.3 Exercises
1. (Ali Gurel) ABC is a right triangle with ∠B = 90◦ , AB = 3 and BC = 12. D is a
point on BC such that BD = 8. BE is angle bisector intersecting AD at P . Find
BP/P E.

2. (AMC10-2004-B20) In 4ABC points D and E lie on BC and AC, respectively. If

AD and BE intersect at T so that AT /DT = 3 and BT /ET = 4, what is CD/BD?

1 2 3 4 5
(A) 8 (B) 9 (C) 10 (D) 11 (E) 12

3. (Bill Huang) Two circles ω1 , ω2 intersect at P, Q and AB is a common external

tangent closer to P with A on ω1 and B on ω2 . Let P Q and AB intersect at K.
Suppose that AB = QK. Let AP and BP intersect BQ and AQ at X and Y ,
respectively. If XY = 999, find AB.

4. (Lehigh MC-2002-35) In triangle ABC, D is the midpoint of AB, while E lies on BC

satisfying BE = 2EC. If ∠ADC = ∠BAE, then how many degrees are in ∠BAC?

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