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G is the centroid, AG = 7, 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 = 7: 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 7 divided by 2: 3.5.

one part = 7 ÷ 2 = 3.5

Careful!

G is not the middle of the median.

A G is 2 parts out of 3.

Careful: not AG = 7 ✗

3 Find AD

AD is 3 parts: 10.5.

AD = 3 × 3.5 = 10.5

4 Check

Let's check: A G plus G D is 10.5, the whole median.

And A G is twice G D.

So it is right!

AG + GD = 7 + 3.5 = 10.5 = AD, 7 = 2 × 3.5

Let's look back.

First: use the median rule.

Then: find one part.

Then: find AD.

Last: check.

Answer
AD = 3 × 3.5 = 10.5

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Find AD.
Show the answer
AD = 13.5

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