Chapter

Ceva and Menelaus

This module teaches students to use Ceva's and Menelaus' theorems to prove concurrence of lines, collinearity of points, and compute ratios on the sides of a triangle.
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Theory

Key Idea

Ceva's and Menelaus' theorems translate geometric statements about three lines or three points into a product of ratios on the sides of a triangle.

Ceva answers the question: when do three cevians pass through one point? Menelaus answers the question: when do three points on the sides or extensions of the sides lie on one line?

Basic Facts

Let in triangle \(ABC\), point \(D\) lie on \(BC\), point \(E\) on \(CA\), and point \(F\) on \(AB\). Then lines \(AD\), \(BE\), \(CF\) are concurrent if and only if

\[\frac{BD}{DC}\cdot\frac{CE}{EA}\cdot\frac{AF}{FB}=1.\]

If points \(D,E,F\) lie on lines \(BC,CA,AB\), then they are collinear if and only if, for directed ratios,

\[\frac{BD}{DC}\cdot\frac{CE}{EA}\cdot\frac{AF}{FB}=-1.\]

In training problems with ordinary positive lengths, a common Menelaus version is: if exactly one of the three points lies on an extension of a side, the product of the corresponding positive ratios is \(1\).

When to Use This Method

Use Ceva when you need to prove that three lines pass through one point, or find the ratio for which this is possible. Use Menelaus when you need to prove that three points are collinear, or find where a line intersects a side of a triangle.

Both theorems are especially useful when the problem already gives ratios on the sides of a triangle, or when those ratios can be obtained from similarity, areas, angle bisectors, or parallel lines.

How to Recognise the Method

Signals for Ceva: "Prove that the lines meet at one point", "three cevians", "the intersection point of two lines lies on the third".

Signals for Menelaus: "Prove that the points are collinear", "a line intersects the sides of a triangle", "a point lies on an extension of a side".

Typical Mistakes

The most common mistake is confusing Ceva and Menelaus. Ceva is about concurrence of lines; Menelaus is about collinearity of points.

The second mistake is writing ratios in inconsistent order. If you start with \(\frac{BD}{DC}\), continue cyclically: \(\frac{CE}{EA}\), \(\frac{AF}{FB}\). In problems with points on extensions, remember directed ratios or explicitly switch to the positive-length version.

Mini-Checklist

1. Draw the triangle to which you will apply the theorem.

2. Mark the three points on the sides or extensions of the sides.

3. Decide whether you need concurrence of lines or collinearity of points.

4. Write the product of ratios in one cyclic order.

5. Find the unknown ratio or check equality to \(1\) for Ceva and \(-1\) for directed Menelaus.

Examples

Example 1. Finding a Ratio by Ceva

A basic example of direct substitution into Ceva's formula.

Problem. In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D,E,F\) lie on \(BC,CA,AB\). It is known that \(BD:DC=2:3\), \(CE:EA=3:4\). Find \(AF:FB\) if \(AD\), \(BE\), \(CF\) are concurrent.

Solution.

By Ceva's theorem, \(\frac{BD}{DC}\cdot\frac{CE}{EA}\cdot\frac{AF}{FB}=1\). Therefore \(\frac{2}{3}\cdot\frac{3}{4}\cdot\frac{AF}{FB}=1\). We get \(\frac{1}{2}\cdot\frac{AF}{FB}=1\), hence \(AF:FB=2:1\).

Example 2. Medians Meet at One Point

Ceva quickly proves the concurrence of medians.

Problem. Prove that the medians of a triangle are concurrent.

Solution.

Let \(D,E,F\) be the midpoints of \(BC,CA,AB\). Then \(\frac{BD}{DC}=\frac{CE}{EA}=\frac{AF}{FB}=1\). The product is \(1\), so by Ceva's theorem the lines \(AD\), \(BE\), \(CF\), that is, the medians, are concurrent.

Example 3. Menelaus with One External Point

Here it is important to see that the statement is about collinearity of points, not concurrence of lines.

Problem. In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D\in BC\), \(E\in CA\), and point \(F\) lies on the extension of \(AB\) beyond \(B\). Let \(D,E,F\) be collinear, \(BD:DC=2:5\), \(CE:EA=5:3\). Find \(AF:FB\).

Solution.

For positive lengths with one external point, we use Menelaus in the form \(\frac{BD}{DC}\cdot\frac{CE}{EA}\cdot\frac{AF}{FB}=1\). Hence \(\frac{2}{5}\cdot\frac{5}{3}\cdot\frac{AF}{FB}=1\), so \(\frac{2}{3}\cdot\frac{AF}{FB}=1\). Therefore \(AF:FB=3:2\).

Example 4. Checking Collinearity

Menelaus often proves that three points lie on one line.

Problem. In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D\in BC\), \(E\in CA\), and \(F\) lies on the extension of \(AB\) beyond \(B\). Given \(BD:DC=2:3\), \(CE:EA=3:4\), \(AF:FB=2:1\). Prove that \(D,E,F\) are collinear.

Solution.

Compute the product of positive ratios: \(\frac{2}{3}\cdot\frac{3}{4}\cdot 2=1\). Since exactly one point lies on an extension of a side, by the positive form of Menelaus' theorem, points \(D,E,F\) are collinear.

Example 5. Do Not Confuse Ceva and Menelaus

The same product of ratios may correspond to different geometric goals.

Problem. In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D,E,F\) lie on sides \(BC,CA,AB\), and \(\frac{BD}{DC}\cdot\frac{CE}{EA}\cdot\frac{AF}{FB}=1\). What follows from Ceva's theorem?

Solution.

If the points lie on the sides of the triangle and the product is \(1\), then by Ceva's theorem the lines \(AD\), \(BE\), \(CF\) are concurrent. This is not a statement about the collinearity of points \(D,E,F\).

Example 6. Angle Bisectors via Ceva

Ceva connects with the familiar angle bisector theorem.

Problem. Prove that the internal angle bisectors of a triangle are concurrent.

Solution.

Let the angle bisector from \(A\) meet \(BC\) at \(D\), from \(B\) meet \(CA\) at \(E\), and from \(C\) meet \(AB\) at \(F\). By the angle bisector theorem, \(\frac{BD}{DC}=\frac{AB}{AC}\), \(\frac{CE}{EA}=\frac{BC}{BA}\), \(\frac{AF}{FB}=\frac{CA}{CB}\). The product is \(1\), hence by Ceva the angle bisectors are concurrent.

Example 7. Two Cevians Determine the Third

If two lines already meet, Ceva helps find where the third one must meet the side.

Problem. In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D\in BC\), \(E\in CA\), \(BD:DC=3:2\), \(CE:EA=5:6\). Lines \(AD\) and \(BE\) meet at \(P\), and \(CP\) meets \(AB\) at \(F\). Find \(AF:FB\).

Solution.

Lines \(AD\), \(BE\), \(CF\) are concurrent at \(P\). By Ceva, \(\frac{3}{2}\cdot\frac{5}{6}\cdot\frac{AF}{FB}=1\). The first two factors give \(\frac{5}{4}\), so \(\frac{AF}{FB}=\frac{4}{5}\). Therefore \(AF:FB=4:5\).

Example 8. Ceva and Menelaus Together

In stronger problems, the same pair of points may be used by two different theorems.

Problem. In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D\in BC\), \(E\in CA\). Lines \(AD\) and \(BE\) meet at \(P\), \(CP\) meets \(AB\) at \(F\), and line \(DE\) meets the extension of \(AB\) at \(X\). Prove that \(\frac{AF}{FB}=\frac{AX}{XB}\) for ordinary lengths.

Solution.

By Ceva for concurrent \(AD,BE,CF\): \(\frac{BD}{DC}\cdot\frac{CE}{EA}\cdot\frac{AF}{FB}=1\). By Menelaus for collinear \(D,E,X\): \(\frac{BD}{DC}\cdot\frac{CE}{EA}\cdot\frac{AX}{XB}=1\). The first two factors on the left are the same, hence \(\frac{AF}{FB}=\frac{AX}{XB}\).

Problems

Problems

#6.1
#6.1

The Missing Ratio

Ratios Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D,E,F\) lie on \(BC,CA,AB\). Given \(BD:DC=2:3\), \(CE:EA=3:4\). Find \(AF:FB\) if \(AD\), \(BE\), \(CF\) are concurrent.

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P001
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Ratios
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#6.2
#6.2

Checking Concurrence

Ratios Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D,E,F\) lie on \(BC,CA,AB\). Given \(BD:DC=4:5\), \(CE:EA=5:6\), \(AF:FB=3:2\). Prove that \(AD\), \(BE\), \(CF\) meet at one point.

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P002
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Ratios
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#6.3
#6.3

Medians

Concurrency Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

Use Ceva's theorem to prove that the medians of a triangle meet at one point.

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P003
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Concurrency
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#6.4
#6.4

The Missing Menelaus Ratio

Ratios Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D\in BC\), \(E\in CA\), and \(F\) lies on the extension of \(AB\) beyond \(B\). Points \(D,E,F\) are collinear, \(BD:DC=2:5\), \(CE:EA=5:3\). Find \(AF:FB\).

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P004
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Ratios
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#6.5
#6.5

Checking Collinearity

Collinearity Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D\in BC\), \(E\in CA\), and \(F\) lies on the extension of \(AB\) beyond \(B\). Given \(BD:DC=2:3\), \(CE:EA=3:4\), \(AF:FB=2:1\). Prove that \(D,E,F\) are collinear.

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P005
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Collinearity
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#6.6
#6.6

Ceva, Not Menelaus

Ratios Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★☆☆☆

Points \(D,E,F\) lie respectively on sides \(BC,CA,AB\) of triangle \(ABC\), and \(\frac{BD}{DC}\cdot\frac{CE}{EA}\cdot\frac{AF}{FB}=1\). Prove that lines \(AD\), \(BE\), \(CF\) are concurrent.

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P006
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Ratios
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#6.7
#6.7

Two Cevians Determine the Third

Ratios Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D\in BC\), \(E\in CA\), \(BD:DC=3:2\), \(CE:EA=5:6\). Lines \(AD\) and \(BE\) meet at \(P\), and \(CP\) meets \(AB\) at \(F\). Find \(AF:FB\).

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P007
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Ratios
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#6.8
#6.8

A Cevian and a Median

Median Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

In triangle \(ABC\), point \(D\in BC\), \(BD:DC=2:1\). Point \(M\) is the midpoint of \(AB\). Lines \(AD\), \(BE\), \(CM\) are concurrent, where \(E\in CA\). Find \(CE:EA\).

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P008
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Median
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#6.9
#6.9

A Transversal Through Two Sides

Ratios Grade 8 Grade 9 ★★★☆☆

In triangle \(ABC\), point \(D\in AB\), \(AD:DB=2:3\), point \(E\in AC\), \(AE:EC=4:1\). Line \(DE\) meets the extension of \(BC\) at \(F\). Find \(BF:FC\).

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P009
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Ratios
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9
#6.10
#6.10

Finding a Point on a Side

Ratios Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★☆☆

In triangle \(ABC\), point \(D\in BC\), \(BD:DC=3:4\), point \(F\) lies on the extension of \(AB\) beyond \(B\), \(AF:FB=7:2\). Line \(DF\) meets \(CA\) at \(E\). Find \(CE:EA\).

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P010
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Ratios
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10
#6.11
#6.11

Angle Bisectors

Angle bisector Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★☆☆

Use Ceva's theorem to prove that the internal angle bisectors of a triangle are concurrent.

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P011
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Angle bisector
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10
#6.12
#6.12

Intersection of Two Lines

Ratios Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★☆☆

In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D\in AB\), \(E\in AC\), \(AD:DB=1:2\), \(AE:EC=2:3\). Lines \(CD\) and \(BE\) meet at \(P\), and \(AP\) meets \(BC\) at \(F\). Find \(BF:FC\).

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P012
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Ratios
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10
#6.13
#6.13

External Point on the Base

Ratios Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★☆☆

In triangle \(ABC\), point \(D\in AB\), \(AD:DB=3:2\), point \(E\in AC\), \(AE:EC=5:1\). Line \(DE\) meets the extension of \(BC\) at \(F\). Find \(BF:FC\).

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P013
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Ratios
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10
#6.14
#6.14

Side Ratios

Ratios Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★☆☆

In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D,E,F\) on \(BC,CA,AB\) are chosen so that \(\frac{BD}{DC}=\frac{AB}{AC}\), \(\frac{CE}{EA}=\frac{BC}{BA}\), \(\frac{AF}{FB}=\frac{CA}{CB}\). Prove that \(AD\), \(BE\), \(CF\) are concurrent.

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P014
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Ratios
Grade: Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10
#6.15
#6.15

Proof of Ceva by Areas

Area method Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★☆

Let in triangle \(ABC\), lines \(AD\), \(BE\), \(CF\) be concurrent at \(P\). Prove that \(\frac{BD}{DC}\cdot\frac{CE}{EA}\cdot\frac{AF}{FB}=1\).

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P015
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Area method
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#6.16
#6.16

Why Menelaus Works

Menelaus Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★☆

In triangle \(ABC\), a line \(l\) meets lines \(BC,CA,AB\) at \(D,E,F\), respectively. Prove the directed form of Menelaus: \(\frac{BD}{DC}\cdot\frac{CE}{EA}\cdot\frac{AF}{FB}=-1\).

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P016
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Menelaus
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#6.17
#6.17

A Directed Ratio

Concurrency Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★☆

In triangle \(ABC\), point \(D\) lies on \(BC\), \(BD:DC=2:3\). Point \(E\) lies on the extension of \(CA\) beyond \(A\), with directed ratio \(\frac{CE}{EA}=-\frac{3}{5}\). Find the directed ratio \(\frac{AF}{FB}\) for which \(AD\), \(BE\), \(CF\) are concurrent.

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P017
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Concurrency
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#6.18
#6.18

One Pair of Points, Two Theorems

Ratios Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★☆

In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D\in BC\), \(E\in CA\). Lines \(AD\) and \(BE\) meet at \(P\), \(CP\) meets \(AB\) at \(F\), and \(DE\) meets the extension of \(AB\) at \(X\). Prove that \(\frac{AF}{FB}=\frac{AX}{XB}\).

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P018
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Ratios
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#6.19
#6.19

Two Unknown Points on One Side

Ratios Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★☆

In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D\in BC\), \(E\in CA\), \(BD:DC=2:3\), \(CE:EA=3:5\). Lines \(AD\) and \(BE\) meet at \(P\), \(CP\) meets \(AB\) at \(F\), and \(DE\) meets the extension of \(AB\) at \(X\). Find \(AF:FB\) and \(AX:XB\).

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P019
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Ratios
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#6.20
#6.20

Recovering Concurrence

Concurrency Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★☆

In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D\in BC\), \(E\in CA\). Line \(DE\) meets the extension of \(AB\) at \(X\). Point \(F\in AB\) is chosen so that \(\frac{AF}{FB}=\frac{AX}{XB}\). Prove that \(AD\), \(BE\), \(CF\) are concurrent.

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P020
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Concurrency
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#6.21
#6.21

Internal and External Points

Ratios Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★★

In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D\in BC\), \(E\in CA\) are internal. Lines \(AD\) and \(BE\) meet at \(P\), and \(CP\) meets \(AB\) at \(F\). Line \(DE\) meets the extension of \(AB\) at \(X\). Prove that \(F\) lies on segment \(AB\), \(X\) lies outside segment \(AB\), and \(\frac{AF}{FB}=\frac{AX}{XB}\).

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P021
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Ratios
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#6.22
#6.22

Ceva with Two External Points

Concurrency Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★★

In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D,E,F\) lie on lines \(BC,CA,AB\). Directed ratios are given: \(\frac{BD}{DC}=-\frac{2}{3}\), \(\frac{CE}{EA}=-\frac{3}{4}\). Find \(\frac{AF}{FB}\) if \(AD\), \(BE\), \(CF\) are concurrent.

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P022
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Concurrency
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#6.23
#6.23

Menelaus with Signs

Collinearity Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★★

Points \(D,E,F\) lie on lines \(BC,CA,AB\) of triangle \(ABC\). Given \(\frac{BD}{DC}=2\), \(\frac{CE}{EA}=-\frac{3}{5}\), \(\frac{AF}{FB}=\frac{5}{6}\). Prove that \(D,E,F\) are collinear.

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P023
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Collinearity
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10
#6.24
#6.24

No Circles Needed

Collinearity Grade 9 Grade 10 ★★★★★

In triangle \(ABC\), points \(D\in BC\), \(E\in CA\) are chosen arbitrarily. Line \(DE\) meets the extension of \(AB\) at \(X\). Point \(F\) is chosen on side \(AB\) so that \(AF:FB=AX:XB\). Prove that if \(AD\) and \(BE\) meet at \(P\), then points \(C,P,F\) are collinear.

Details
Problem: GEO-B2-M06-P024
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Collinearity
Grade: Grade 9, Grade 10

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