Article 6Q790 Ptolemy’s theorem

Ptolemy’s theorem

by
John
from John D. Cook on (#6Q790)

Draw a quadrilateral by pick four arbitrary points on a circle and connecting them cyclically.

ptolemy0.png

Now multiply the lengths of the pairs of opposite sides. In the diagram below this means multiplying the lengths of the two horizontal-ish blue sides and the two vertical-ish orange sides.

ptolemy1.png

Ptolemy's theorem says that the sum of the two products described above equals the product of the diagonals.

ptolemy2.png

To put it in colorful terms, the product of the blue sides plus the product of the orange sides equals the product of the green diagonals.

The converse of Ptolemy's theorem also holds. If the relationship above holds for a quadrilateral, then the quadrilateral can be inscribed in a circle.

Note that if the quadrilateral in Ptolemy's theorem is a rectangle, then the theorem reduces to the Pythagorean theorem.

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