Proof without words of a simple conjecture about any triangle









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Given the midpoint (or centroid) $D$ of any triangle $triangle ABC$, we build three squares on the three segments connecting $D$ with the three vertices. Then, we consider the centers $K,L,M$ of the three squares.



enter image description here



My conjecture is that




The area of the triangle $triangle KLM$ is equal to half of the area of the triangle $triangle ABC$.




enter image description here



This is for sure a well known result (well, if true!). In this case, sorry for the trivial problem!



However, It would be great to have suggestions for developing a proof without words of such simple claim (again, if true), i.e. avoiding trigonometry, etc. Thanks for your help!



EDIT: The conjecture can be easily extended to any regular polygon built on the described segments (e.g. equilateral triangles yield to $1/3$ of the $triangle ABC$ area, etc.).



EDIT (2): The (extended) conjecture appears to be true also by building the segments starting from the orthocenter (red, left), instead of the centroid (grey, right). The area of the final triangle $triangle KLM$ is however the same!



enter image description here










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  • Would you know a reference for the proof of this please? Thanks.
    – NoChance
    Nov 11 at 17:36










  • @NoChance Well, I am not fully sure that this claim is true. Therefore I have no clue of a proof. Maybe should I remove the tag "alternative-proof"? Sorry for confusion.
    – user559615
    Nov 11 at 17:38











  • Thank you for your response, somehow I though there is a proof because of the wording "This is for sure a well known result". Very interesting idea.
    – NoChance
    Nov 11 at 17:40










  • A proof without words generally takes a known proof, and finds a geometric representation of what's happening. If you don't yet know that it's true, then finding a proof would be a better place to start than looking for a specific type of proof.
    – Teepeemm
    Nov 11 at 20:44










  • @Teepeemm Sure, I definitely agree. However, now greedoid provided a very nice and simple proof. So we can maybe focus on the proof without words! ; )
    – user559615
    Nov 11 at 21:25














up vote
9
down vote

favorite
4












Given the midpoint (or centroid) $D$ of any triangle $triangle ABC$, we build three squares on the three segments connecting $D$ with the three vertices. Then, we consider the centers $K,L,M$ of the three squares.



enter image description here



My conjecture is that




The area of the triangle $triangle KLM$ is equal to half of the area of the triangle $triangle ABC$.




enter image description here



This is for sure a well known result (well, if true!). In this case, sorry for the trivial problem!



However, It would be great to have suggestions for developing a proof without words of such simple claim (again, if true), i.e. avoiding trigonometry, etc. Thanks for your help!



EDIT: The conjecture can be easily extended to any regular polygon built on the described segments (e.g. equilateral triangles yield to $1/3$ of the $triangle ABC$ area, etc.).



EDIT (2): The (extended) conjecture appears to be true also by building the segments starting from the orthocenter (red, left), instead of the centroid (grey, right). The area of the final triangle $triangle KLM$ is however the same!



enter image description here










share|cite|improve this question























  • Would you know a reference for the proof of this please? Thanks.
    – NoChance
    Nov 11 at 17:36










  • @NoChance Well, I am not fully sure that this claim is true. Therefore I have no clue of a proof. Maybe should I remove the tag "alternative-proof"? Sorry for confusion.
    – user559615
    Nov 11 at 17:38











  • Thank you for your response, somehow I though there is a proof because of the wording "This is for sure a well known result". Very interesting idea.
    – NoChance
    Nov 11 at 17:40










  • A proof without words generally takes a known proof, and finds a geometric representation of what's happening. If you don't yet know that it's true, then finding a proof would be a better place to start than looking for a specific type of proof.
    – Teepeemm
    Nov 11 at 20:44










  • @Teepeemm Sure, I definitely agree. However, now greedoid provided a very nice and simple proof. So we can maybe focus on the proof without words! ; )
    – user559615
    Nov 11 at 21:25












up vote
9
down vote

favorite
4









up vote
9
down vote

favorite
4






4





Given the midpoint (or centroid) $D$ of any triangle $triangle ABC$, we build three squares on the three segments connecting $D$ with the three vertices. Then, we consider the centers $K,L,M$ of the three squares.



enter image description here



My conjecture is that




The area of the triangle $triangle KLM$ is equal to half of the area of the triangle $triangle ABC$.




enter image description here



This is for sure a well known result (well, if true!). In this case, sorry for the trivial problem!



However, It would be great to have suggestions for developing a proof without words of such simple claim (again, if true), i.e. avoiding trigonometry, etc. Thanks for your help!



EDIT: The conjecture can be easily extended to any regular polygon built on the described segments (e.g. equilateral triangles yield to $1/3$ of the $triangle ABC$ area, etc.).



EDIT (2): The (extended) conjecture appears to be true also by building the segments starting from the orthocenter (red, left), instead of the centroid (grey, right). The area of the final triangle $triangle KLM$ is however the same!



enter image description here










share|cite|improve this question















Given the midpoint (or centroid) $D$ of any triangle $triangle ABC$, we build three squares on the three segments connecting $D$ with the three vertices. Then, we consider the centers $K,L,M$ of the three squares.



enter image description here



My conjecture is that




The area of the triangle $triangle KLM$ is equal to half of the area of the triangle $triangle ABC$.




enter image description here



This is for sure a well known result (well, if true!). In this case, sorry for the trivial problem!



However, It would be great to have suggestions for developing a proof without words of such simple claim (again, if true), i.e. avoiding trigonometry, etc. Thanks for your help!



EDIT: The conjecture can be easily extended to any regular polygon built on the described segments (e.g. equilateral triangles yield to $1/3$ of the $triangle ABC$ area, etc.).



EDIT (2): The (extended) conjecture appears to be true also by building the segments starting from the orthocenter (red, left), instead of the centroid (grey, right). The area of the final triangle $triangle KLM$ is however the same!



enter image description here







geometry euclidean-geometry triangle geometric-construction






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edited Nov 12 at 16:01

























asked Nov 11 at 17:31







user559615


















  • Would you know a reference for the proof of this please? Thanks.
    – NoChance
    Nov 11 at 17:36










  • @NoChance Well, I am not fully sure that this claim is true. Therefore I have no clue of a proof. Maybe should I remove the tag "alternative-proof"? Sorry for confusion.
    – user559615
    Nov 11 at 17:38











  • Thank you for your response, somehow I though there is a proof because of the wording "This is for sure a well known result". Very interesting idea.
    – NoChance
    Nov 11 at 17:40










  • A proof without words generally takes a known proof, and finds a geometric representation of what's happening. If you don't yet know that it's true, then finding a proof would be a better place to start than looking for a specific type of proof.
    – Teepeemm
    Nov 11 at 20:44










  • @Teepeemm Sure, I definitely agree. However, now greedoid provided a very nice and simple proof. So we can maybe focus on the proof without words! ; )
    – user559615
    Nov 11 at 21:25
















  • Would you know a reference for the proof of this please? Thanks.
    – NoChance
    Nov 11 at 17:36










  • @NoChance Well, I am not fully sure that this claim is true. Therefore I have no clue of a proof. Maybe should I remove the tag "alternative-proof"? Sorry for confusion.
    – user559615
    Nov 11 at 17:38











  • Thank you for your response, somehow I though there is a proof because of the wording "This is for sure a well known result". Very interesting idea.
    – NoChance
    Nov 11 at 17:40










  • A proof without words generally takes a known proof, and finds a geometric representation of what's happening. If you don't yet know that it's true, then finding a proof would be a better place to start than looking for a specific type of proof.
    – Teepeemm
    Nov 11 at 20:44










  • @Teepeemm Sure, I definitely agree. However, now greedoid provided a very nice and simple proof. So we can maybe focus on the proof without words! ; )
    – user559615
    Nov 11 at 21:25















Would you know a reference for the proof of this please? Thanks.
– NoChance
Nov 11 at 17:36




Would you know a reference for the proof of this please? Thanks.
– NoChance
Nov 11 at 17:36












@NoChance Well, I am not fully sure that this claim is true. Therefore I have no clue of a proof. Maybe should I remove the tag "alternative-proof"? Sorry for confusion.
– user559615
Nov 11 at 17:38





@NoChance Well, I am not fully sure that this claim is true. Therefore I have no clue of a proof. Maybe should I remove the tag "alternative-proof"? Sorry for confusion.
– user559615
Nov 11 at 17:38













Thank you for your response, somehow I though there is a proof because of the wording "This is for sure a well known result". Very interesting idea.
– NoChance
Nov 11 at 17:40




Thank you for your response, somehow I though there is a proof because of the wording "This is for sure a well known result". Very interesting idea.
– NoChance
Nov 11 at 17:40












A proof without words generally takes a known proof, and finds a geometric representation of what's happening. If you don't yet know that it's true, then finding a proof would be a better place to start than looking for a specific type of proof.
– Teepeemm
Nov 11 at 20:44




A proof without words generally takes a known proof, and finds a geometric representation of what's happening. If you don't yet know that it's true, then finding a proof would be a better place to start than looking for a specific type of proof.
– Teepeemm
Nov 11 at 20:44












@Teepeemm Sure, I definitely agree. However, now greedoid provided a very nice and simple proof. So we can maybe focus on the proof without words! ; )
– user559615
Nov 11 at 21:25




@Teepeemm Sure, I definitely agree. However, now greedoid provided a very nice and simple proof. So we can maybe focus on the proof without words! ; )
– user559615
Nov 11 at 21:25










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
7
down vote



accepted










Observe a spiral similarity with center at $D$ which takes $A$ to $K$. Then it takes $B$ to $M$ and $C$ to $L$. So this map takes triangle $ABC$ to triangle $KML$ which means that they are similary with dilatation coefficient $k=sqrt2over 2$ So the ratio of the areas is $k^2 =1/2$.






share|cite|improve this answer




















  • Thanks, greedoid for your always neat answers. I thought there could be some even easier solution, tangram/mosaic-like. But I am not sure. Thanks again however!
    – user559615
    Nov 11 at 17:45










  • Oh, sorry, I'm a bad reader (and writter). Anyway you should develop whole theory before you can play with ,,proofs without words''. You can not do anything just by the picture.
    – greedoid
    Nov 11 at 17:50










  • True. I see your point. Say, I thought it should have been not too difficult to prove this (e.g. with trigonometry), but I was looking for a more visual approach. But, true: first one has to have a proof! Therefore, thanks again for yours!
    – user559615
    Nov 11 at 18:26







  • 1




    I've just realized that the conjecture can be extended by building any regular polygon on these segments (with equilateral triangles, the centers define a triangle of area $1/3$ of the initial triangle, with hexagons, the areas coincide and so on). I think your proof can be nicely generalized!
    – user559615
    Nov 11 at 21:51


















up vote
0
down vote













The two triangles share a centroid. The small triangle vertices are one half of each square's diagonal while the larger triangle has the length of a side. The triangles are similar since lengths are proportional by a factor of sqrt(2) which we square for an area comparison of 2:1 in favor of the larger one.






share|cite|improve this answer
















  • 1




    Perhaps as a visual you can show the construction of the squares, show a copy of each side as it contracts in length and rotates into position along the diagonal to the shared centroid. Then connect the vertices to show the small triangle. I believe this would have the desired effect except for deriving the factor of sqrt(2) which would require a visual proof of this case of the pythagorean theorem. I imagine there are several of those available for such a popular theorem.
    – Nathan
    Nov 11 at 23:16











  • Thanks Nathan. And welcome on MSE!
    – user559615
    Nov 12 at 4:31










  • Thanks for the interesting challenge and welcome. It just popped up on my Google feed!
    – Nathan
    Nov 13 at 18:46

















up vote
0
down vote













This could be an idea for a "proof without words":
enter image description here






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    up vote
    0
    down vote













    In the special case where $triangle ABC$ is right and isosceles, it seems true almost visually that, in triangles $KLM$ and $ABC$, base$$KM=BC$$and altitude$$BA=2BE$$making$$triangle ABC=2triangle KLM$$ABC=2KLM



    On the other hand, if we build the squares on the sides of $triangle ABC$, as in the figure below, the reverse appears to happen:$$triangle KLM=2triangle ABC$$since base$$KL=AC$$and altitude$$BM=2BE$$KLM=2ABC



    OP's conjecture seems, as some are suggesting, a particular result of a larger general theory?



    The above figures suggest perhaps the further question, whether a "proof without words" is ever really possible; it seems words are implicitly present in any train of thought, and a proposition that was truly self-evident would not be a proof strictly speaking but rather a basis or element of a proof.






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      4 Answers
      4






      active

      oldest

      votes








      4 Answers
      4






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      7
      down vote



      accepted










      Observe a spiral similarity with center at $D$ which takes $A$ to $K$. Then it takes $B$ to $M$ and $C$ to $L$. So this map takes triangle $ABC$ to triangle $KML$ which means that they are similary with dilatation coefficient $k=sqrt2over 2$ So the ratio of the areas is $k^2 =1/2$.






      share|cite|improve this answer




















      • Thanks, greedoid for your always neat answers. I thought there could be some even easier solution, tangram/mosaic-like. But I am not sure. Thanks again however!
        – user559615
        Nov 11 at 17:45










      • Oh, sorry, I'm a bad reader (and writter). Anyway you should develop whole theory before you can play with ,,proofs without words''. You can not do anything just by the picture.
        – greedoid
        Nov 11 at 17:50










      • True. I see your point. Say, I thought it should have been not too difficult to prove this (e.g. with trigonometry), but I was looking for a more visual approach. But, true: first one has to have a proof! Therefore, thanks again for yours!
        – user559615
        Nov 11 at 18:26







      • 1




        I've just realized that the conjecture can be extended by building any regular polygon on these segments (with equilateral triangles, the centers define a triangle of area $1/3$ of the initial triangle, with hexagons, the areas coincide and so on). I think your proof can be nicely generalized!
        – user559615
        Nov 11 at 21:51















      up vote
      7
      down vote



      accepted










      Observe a spiral similarity with center at $D$ which takes $A$ to $K$. Then it takes $B$ to $M$ and $C$ to $L$. So this map takes triangle $ABC$ to triangle $KML$ which means that they are similary with dilatation coefficient $k=sqrt2over 2$ So the ratio of the areas is $k^2 =1/2$.






      share|cite|improve this answer




















      • Thanks, greedoid for your always neat answers. I thought there could be some even easier solution, tangram/mosaic-like. But I am not sure. Thanks again however!
        – user559615
        Nov 11 at 17:45










      • Oh, sorry, I'm a bad reader (and writter). Anyway you should develop whole theory before you can play with ,,proofs without words''. You can not do anything just by the picture.
        – greedoid
        Nov 11 at 17:50










      • True. I see your point. Say, I thought it should have been not too difficult to prove this (e.g. with trigonometry), but I was looking for a more visual approach. But, true: first one has to have a proof! Therefore, thanks again for yours!
        – user559615
        Nov 11 at 18:26







      • 1




        I've just realized that the conjecture can be extended by building any regular polygon on these segments (with equilateral triangles, the centers define a triangle of area $1/3$ of the initial triangle, with hexagons, the areas coincide and so on). I think your proof can be nicely generalized!
        – user559615
        Nov 11 at 21:51













      up vote
      7
      down vote



      accepted







      up vote
      7
      down vote



      accepted






      Observe a spiral similarity with center at $D$ which takes $A$ to $K$. Then it takes $B$ to $M$ and $C$ to $L$. So this map takes triangle $ABC$ to triangle $KML$ which means that they are similary with dilatation coefficient $k=sqrt2over 2$ So the ratio of the areas is $k^2 =1/2$.






      share|cite|improve this answer












      Observe a spiral similarity with center at $D$ which takes $A$ to $K$. Then it takes $B$ to $M$ and $C$ to $L$. So this map takes triangle $ABC$ to triangle $KML$ which means that they are similary with dilatation coefficient $k=sqrt2over 2$ So the ratio of the areas is $k^2 =1/2$.







      share|cite|improve this answer












      share|cite|improve this answer



      share|cite|improve this answer










      answered Nov 11 at 17:40









      greedoid

      36.4k114592




      36.4k114592











      • Thanks, greedoid for your always neat answers. I thought there could be some even easier solution, tangram/mosaic-like. But I am not sure. Thanks again however!
        – user559615
        Nov 11 at 17:45










      • Oh, sorry, I'm a bad reader (and writter). Anyway you should develop whole theory before you can play with ,,proofs without words''. You can not do anything just by the picture.
        – greedoid
        Nov 11 at 17:50










      • True. I see your point. Say, I thought it should have been not too difficult to prove this (e.g. with trigonometry), but I was looking for a more visual approach. But, true: first one has to have a proof! Therefore, thanks again for yours!
        – user559615
        Nov 11 at 18:26







      • 1




        I've just realized that the conjecture can be extended by building any regular polygon on these segments (with equilateral triangles, the centers define a triangle of area $1/3$ of the initial triangle, with hexagons, the areas coincide and so on). I think your proof can be nicely generalized!
        – user559615
        Nov 11 at 21:51

















      • Thanks, greedoid for your always neat answers. I thought there could be some even easier solution, tangram/mosaic-like. But I am not sure. Thanks again however!
        – user559615
        Nov 11 at 17:45










      • Oh, sorry, I'm a bad reader (and writter). Anyway you should develop whole theory before you can play with ,,proofs without words''. You can not do anything just by the picture.
        – greedoid
        Nov 11 at 17:50










      • True. I see your point. Say, I thought it should have been not too difficult to prove this (e.g. with trigonometry), but I was looking for a more visual approach. But, true: first one has to have a proof! Therefore, thanks again for yours!
        – user559615
        Nov 11 at 18:26







      • 1




        I've just realized that the conjecture can be extended by building any regular polygon on these segments (with equilateral triangles, the centers define a triangle of area $1/3$ of the initial triangle, with hexagons, the areas coincide and so on). I think your proof can be nicely generalized!
        – user559615
        Nov 11 at 21:51
















      Thanks, greedoid for your always neat answers. I thought there could be some even easier solution, tangram/mosaic-like. But I am not sure. Thanks again however!
      – user559615
      Nov 11 at 17:45




      Thanks, greedoid for your always neat answers. I thought there could be some even easier solution, tangram/mosaic-like. But I am not sure. Thanks again however!
      – user559615
      Nov 11 at 17:45












      Oh, sorry, I'm a bad reader (and writter). Anyway you should develop whole theory before you can play with ,,proofs without words''. You can not do anything just by the picture.
      – greedoid
      Nov 11 at 17:50




      Oh, sorry, I'm a bad reader (and writter). Anyway you should develop whole theory before you can play with ,,proofs without words''. You can not do anything just by the picture.
      – greedoid
      Nov 11 at 17:50












      True. I see your point. Say, I thought it should have been not too difficult to prove this (e.g. with trigonometry), but I was looking for a more visual approach. But, true: first one has to have a proof! Therefore, thanks again for yours!
      – user559615
      Nov 11 at 18:26





      True. I see your point. Say, I thought it should have been not too difficult to prove this (e.g. with trigonometry), but I was looking for a more visual approach. But, true: first one has to have a proof! Therefore, thanks again for yours!
      – user559615
      Nov 11 at 18:26





      1




      1




      I've just realized that the conjecture can be extended by building any regular polygon on these segments (with equilateral triangles, the centers define a triangle of area $1/3$ of the initial triangle, with hexagons, the areas coincide and so on). I think your proof can be nicely generalized!
      – user559615
      Nov 11 at 21:51





      I've just realized that the conjecture can be extended by building any regular polygon on these segments (with equilateral triangles, the centers define a triangle of area $1/3$ of the initial triangle, with hexagons, the areas coincide and so on). I think your proof can be nicely generalized!
      – user559615
      Nov 11 at 21:51











      up vote
      0
      down vote













      The two triangles share a centroid. The small triangle vertices are one half of each square's diagonal while the larger triangle has the length of a side. The triangles are similar since lengths are proportional by a factor of sqrt(2) which we square for an area comparison of 2:1 in favor of the larger one.






      share|cite|improve this answer
















      • 1




        Perhaps as a visual you can show the construction of the squares, show a copy of each side as it contracts in length and rotates into position along the diagonal to the shared centroid. Then connect the vertices to show the small triangle. I believe this would have the desired effect except for deriving the factor of sqrt(2) which would require a visual proof of this case of the pythagorean theorem. I imagine there are several of those available for such a popular theorem.
        – Nathan
        Nov 11 at 23:16











      • Thanks Nathan. And welcome on MSE!
        – user559615
        Nov 12 at 4:31










      • Thanks for the interesting challenge and welcome. It just popped up on my Google feed!
        – Nathan
        Nov 13 at 18:46














      up vote
      0
      down vote













      The two triangles share a centroid. The small triangle vertices are one half of each square's diagonal while the larger triangle has the length of a side. The triangles are similar since lengths are proportional by a factor of sqrt(2) which we square for an area comparison of 2:1 in favor of the larger one.






      share|cite|improve this answer
















      • 1




        Perhaps as a visual you can show the construction of the squares, show a copy of each side as it contracts in length and rotates into position along the diagonal to the shared centroid. Then connect the vertices to show the small triangle. I believe this would have the desired effect except for deriving the factor of sqrt(2) which would require a visual proof of this case of the pythagorean theorem. I imagine there are several of those available for such a popular theorem.
        – Nathan
        Nov 11 at 23:16











      • Thanks Nathan. And welcome on MSE!
        – user559615
        Nov 12 at 4:31










      • Thanks for the interesting challenge and welcome. It just popped up on my Google feed!
        – Nathan
        Nov 13 at 18:46












      up vote
      0
      down vote










      up vote
      0
      down vote









      The two triangles share a centroid. The small triangle vertices are one half of each square's diagonal while the larger triangle has the length of a side. The triangles are similar since lengths are proportional by a factor of sqrt(2) which we square for an area comparison of 2:1 in favor of the larger one.






      share|cite|improve this answer












      The two triangles share a centroid. The small triangle vertices are one half of each square's diagonal while the larger triangle has the length of a side. The triangles are similar since lengths are proportional by a factor of sqrt(2) which we square for an area comparison of 2:1 in favor of the larger one.







      share|cite|improve this answer












      share|cite|improve this answer



      share|cite|improve this answer










      answered Nov 11 at 23:07









      Nathan

      11




      11







      • 1




        Perhaps as a visual you can show the construction of the squares, show a copy of each side as it contracts in length and rotates into position along the diagonal to the shared centroid. Then connect the vertices to show the small triangle. I believe this would have the desired effect except for deriving the factor of sqrt(2) which would require a visual proof of this case of the pythagorean theorem. I imagine there are several of those available for such a popular theorem.
        – Nathan
        Nov 11 at 23:16











      • Thanks Nathan. And welcome on MSE!
        – user559615
        Nov 12 at 4:31










      • Thanks for the interesting challenge and welcome. It just popped up on my Google feed!
        – Nathan
        Nov 13 at 18:46












      • 1




        Perhaps as a visual you can show the construction of the squares, show a copy of each side as it contracts in length and rotates into position along the diagonal to the shared centroid. Then connect the vertices to show the small triangle. I believe this would have the desired effect except for deriving the factor of sqrt(2) which would require a visual proof of this case of the pythagorean theorem. I imagine there are several of those available for such a popular theorem.
        – Nathan
        Nov 11 at 23:16











      • Thanks Nathan. And welcome on MSE!
        – user559615
        Nov 12 at 4:31










      • Thanks for the interesting challenge and welcome. It just popped up on my Google feed!
        – Nathan
        Nov 13 at 18:46







      1




      1




      Perhaps as a visual you can show the construction of the squares, show a copy of each side as it contracts in length and rotates into position along the diagonal to the shared centroid. Then connect the vertices to show the small triangle. I believe this would have the desired effect except for deriving the factor of sqrt(2) which would require a visual proof of this case of the pythagorean theorem. I imagine there are several of those available for such a popular theorem.
      – Nathan
      Nov 11 at 23:16





      Perhaps as a visual you can show the construction of the squares, show a copy of each side as it contracts in length and rotates into position along the diagonal to the shared centroid. Then connect the vertices to show the small triangle. I believe this would have the desired effect except for deriving the factor of sqrt(2) which would require a visual proof of this case of the pythagorean theorem. I imagine there are several of those available for such a popular theorem.
      – Nathan
      Nov 11 at 23:16













      Thanks Nathan. And welcome on MSE!
      – user559615
      Nov 12 at 4:31




      Thanks Nathan. And welcome on MSE!
      – user559615
      Nov 12 at 4:31












      Thanks for the interesting challenge and welcome. It just popped up on my Google feed!
      – Nathan
      Nov 13 at 18:46




      Thanks for the interesting challenge and welcome. It just popped up on my Google feed!
      – Nathan
      Nov 13 at 18:46










      up vote
      0
      down vote













      This could be an idea for a "proof without words":
      enter image description here






      share|cite|improve this answer


























        up vote
        0
        down vote













        This could be an idea for a "proof without words":
        enter image description here






        share|cite|improve this answer
























          up vote
          0
          down vote










          up vote
          0
          down vote









          This could be an idea for a "proof without words":
          enter image description here






          share|cite|improve this answer














          This could be an idea for a "proof without words":
          enter image description here







          share|cite|improve this answer














          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer








          edited Nov 12 at 14:16

























          answered Nov 12 at 9:45







          user559615



























              up vote
              0
              down vote













              In the special case where $triangle ABC$ is right and isosceles, it seems true almost visually that, in triangles $KLM$ and $ABC$, base$$KM=BC$$and altitude$$BA=2BE$$making$$triangle ABC=2triangle KLM$$ABC=2KLM



              On the other hand, if we build the squares on the sides of $triangle ABC$, as in the figure below, the reverse appears to happen:$$triangle KLM=2triangle ABC$$since base$$KL=AC$$and altitude$$BM=2BE$$KLM=2ABC



              OP's conjecture seems, as some are suggesting, a particular result of a larger general theory?



              The above figures suggest perhaps the further question, whether a "proof without words" is ever really possible; it seems words are implicitly present in any train of thought, and a proposition that was truly self-evident would not be a proof strictly speaking but rather a basis or element of a proof.






              share|cite|improve this answer
























                up vote
                0
                down vote













                In the special case where $triangle ABC$ is right and isosceles, it seems true almost visually that, in triangles $KLM$ and $ABC$, base$$KM=BC$$and altitude$$BA=2BE$$making$$triangle ABC=2triangle KLM$$ABC=2KLM



                On the other hand, if we build the squares on the sides of $triangle ABC$, as in the figure below, the reverse appears to happen:$$triangle KLM=2triangle ABC$$since base$$KL=AC$$and altitude$$BM=2BE$$KLM=2ABC



                OP's conjecture seems, as some are suggesting, a particular result of a larger general theory?



                The above figures suggest perhaps the further question, whether a "proof without words" is ever really possible; it seems words are implicitly present in any train of thought, and a proposition that was truly self-evident would not be a proof strictly speaking but rather a basis or element of a proof.






                share|cite|improve this answer






















                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote









                  In the special case where $triangle ABC$ is right and isosceles, it seems true almost visually that, in triangles $KLM$ and $ABC$, base$$KM=BC$$and altitude$$BA=2BE$$making$$triangle ABC=2triangle KLM$$ABC=2KLM



                  On the other hand, if we build the squares on the sides of $triangle ABC$, as in the figure below, the reverse appears to happen:$$triangle KLM=2triangle ABC$$since base$$KL=AC$$and altitude$$BM=2BE$$KLM=2ABC



                  OP's conjecture seems, as some are suggesting, a particular result of a larger general theory?



                  The above figures suggest perhaps the further question, whether a "proof without words" is ever really possible; it seems words are implicitly present in any train of thought, and a proposition that was truly self-evident would not be a proof strictly speaking but rather a basis or element of a proof.






                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  In the special case where $triangle ABC$ is right and isosceles, it seems true almost visually that, in triangles $KLM$ and $ABC$, base$$KM=BC$$and altitude$$BA=2BE$$making$$triangle ABC=2triangle KLM$$ABC=2KLM



                  On the other hand, if we build the squares on the sides of $triangle ABC$, as in the figure below, the reverse appears to happen:$$triangle KLM=2triangle ABC$$since base$$KL=AC$$and altitude$$BM=2BE$$KLM=2ABC



                  OP's conjecture seems, as some are suggesting, a particular result of a larger general theory?



                  The above figures suggest perhaps the further question, whether a "proof without words" is ever really possible; it seems words are implicitly present in any train of thought, and a proposition that was truly self-evident would not be a proof strictly speaking but rather a basis or element of a proof.







                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer










                  answered Nov 14 at 8:24









                  Edward Porcella

                  1,4011411




                  1,4011411



























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