Math Problem Statement

In the figure, BD:DC = 2:1 and AE:EB = 3:1. AD and CE intersect at F. Find the ratio of the area of triangle AEF to the area of triangle ACF.

Solution

To solve this problem, let us analyze the given information and figure out how to calculate the required ratio:

Given:

  1. BD:DC=2:1BD : DC = 2 : 1, meaning BDDC=21\frac{BD}{DC} = \frac{2}{1}.
  2. AE:EB=3:1AE : EB = 3 : 1, meaning AEEB=31\frac{AE}{EB} = \frac{3}{1}.
  3. AD and CE intersect at FF.
  4. We are tasked with finding the ratio: Area of AEFArea of ACF.\frac{\text{Area of } \triangle AEF}{\text{Area of } \triangle ACF}.

Step 1: Assign proportions to segments

Let BD=2xBD = 2x and DC=xDC = x, so BC=BD+DC=3xBC = BD + DC = 3x.

Similarly, let AE=3yAE = 3y and EB=yEB = y, so AB=AE+EB=4yAB = AE + EB = 4y.


Step 2: Understand areas using triangles divided by intersection point FF

When medians (or cevians) like ADAD and CECE intersect at FF, they divide the triangle into smaller triangles whose areas are proportional to the product of their respective segment ratios. Let us compute these products:

  1. The area of AEF\triangle AEF is proportional to AE×FDADAE \times \frac{FD}{AD}.
  2. The area of ACF\triangle ACF is proportional to AC×FDADAC \times \frac{FD}{AD}.

By symmetry, we need to find how the full triangles are split by ADAD and CECE, along with their respective intersections.


Step 3: Use the given ratios

We know:

  • BD:DC=2:1BD : DC = 2 : 1, so DD divides BCBC in the ratio 2:12:1.
  • AE:EB=3:1AE : EB = 3 : 1, so EE divides ABAB in the ratio 3:13:1.

Using these ratios, the area of each triangle segment can now be determined proportionally.


Step 4: Result

After computing the areas and comparing their ratios, we find that:

Area of AEFArea of ACF=32.\frac{\text{Area of } \triangle AEF}{\text{Area of } \triangle ACF} = \frac{3}{2}.


Final Answer:

B. 3:23 : 2

Let me know if you'd like a detailed breakdown of how the area proportions were computed!


Follow-up Questions:

  1. What is the formula for the area ratio when medians divide a triangle?
  2. How does the intersection point of medians affect the area distribution?
  3. Can this method be extended to 3D geometry (tetrahedrons)?
  4. What happens if the ratios BD:DCBD : DC and AE:EBAE : EB change?
  5. Why does the centroid divide the medians in a 2:12:1 ratio?

Tip:

Always start by assigning variables to segment lengths and verifying proportional relationships before jumping into area calculations!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Triangle Geometry
Ratios and Proportions
Areas of Triangles
Intersection of Cevians

Formulas

Area of a triangle = (base × height) / 2
Proportionality of cevians in intersecting triangles

Theorems

Cevian Theorem
Properties of the centroid in triangles

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12