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G is the centroid, AG = 10, find AD

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Medians and the centroid · Geometry

Step by step

The question

Question: A D is a median of triangle A B C and G is where the medians meet, with AG = 10: find AD.

1 Use the median rule

A median goes from a corner to the middle of the opposite side.

D is the middle of B C.

The three medians all meet at one point, G.

It is called the centroid.

G cuts each median into 2 parts and 1 part: the long part from the corner.

2 Find one part

A G is 2 parts.

One part is 10 divided by 2: 5.

one part = 10 ÷ 2 = 5

Careful!

G is not the middle of the median.

A G is 2 parts out of 3.

Careful: not AG = 10 ✗

3 Find AD

AD is 3 parts: 15.

AD = 3 × 5 = 15

4 Check

Let's check: A G plus G D is 15, the whole median.

And A G is twice G D.

So it is right!

AG + GD = 10 + 5 = 15 = AD, 10 = 2 × 5

Let's look back.

First: use the median rule.

Then: find one part.

Then: find AD.

Last: check.

Answer
AD = 3 × 5 = 15

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Find AD.
Show the answer
AD = 18

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