The Trapezoid Law, Theorem and Their Applications

Hayk Sedrakyan, Arno Mikaelyan, Advik K.

Abstract
In this paper, we establish some novel results. In particular: a generalization of parallelogram law (we call
it Trapezoid law), and a stronger result (diagonal formulas for expressing each diagonal of a trapezoid
separately using its side lengths, we call it a Trapezoid theorem). We also investigate their applications.

Introduction
Consider the following trapezoid with side lengths a, b, c, d and diagonals e, f .

Theorem 1. Trapezoid law (generalization of parallelogram’s law). We have

a2 + c2 = e2 + f 2 − 2bd.

Theorem 2. Trapezoid theorem (stronger result). We have

c2 b − a2 d
e2 = bd + ,
b−d
a2 b − c2 d
f 2 = bd + .
b−d

Mathematical Reflections 6 (2024) 1

Remark 1. Note that the Trapezoid law is the generalization of Parallelogram law.

Recall that the Parallelogram law states that

2a2 + 2b2 = e2 + f 2 .

The trapezoid below (see the figure) becomes a parallelogram, if b = d. In that case, we get a = c.

The Trapezoid law states that

a2 + c2 = e2 + f 2 − 2bd.
If we take b = d and a = c, then we get

2a2 = e2 + f 2 − 2b2 .

Therefore, we get the Parallelogram law.

2a2 + 2b2 = e2 + f 2 .

Remark 2. In the literature, there are 2 different definitions of a trapezoid. The first definition states that
“a trapezoid is a quadrilateral that has exactly one pair of parallel sides”, while the second definition states
that “a trapezoid is a quadrilateral that has at least one pair of parallel sides”. The Trapezoid law shows
that a parallelogram can actually be considered as a particular case of a trapezoid, therefore it looks like that
the second definition is more appropriate as a definition of a trapezoid.

Mathematical Reflections 6 (2024) 2

Main results and proofs
Consider the following trapezoid with side lengths a, b, c, d and diagonals e, f .

Theorem 3. Trapezoid law (generalization of parallelogram’s law). We have

a2 + c2 = e2 + f 2 − 2bd.

Proof. Let us start by drawing AF parallel to BD and DE parallel to AC.

Using Stewart’s theorem for triangles AFC and DBE , we get

e2 · d + f 2 · b
a2 = − d · b,
d+b
e2 · b + f 2 · d
c2 = − d · b.
d+b
Summing up the last two equations, we get

Theorem 4.
a2 + c2 = e2 + f 2 − 2bd.

This ends the proof.

Theorem 5. Trapezoid theorem (stronger result). We have

c2 b − a2 d
e2 = bd + ,
b−d
a2 b − c2 d
f 2 = bd + .
b−d

Mathematical Reflections 6 (2024) 3

Proof. From the equations of Stewart’s theorem on previous page for triangles AF C and DBE, we get



2 (d + b) db + c2 − e2 b (d + b) db + a2 − e2 d
f = = .
d b
Thus, it follows that


(d + b) db + c2 − e2 b (d + b) db + a2 − e2 d
− = 0.
d b
Therefore


(d + b) db + c2 (d + b) db + a2 e2 b e2 d
− = − .
d b d b
We get



(d + b) db + c2 (d + b) db + a2 e2 b2 − d2
− = .
d b db
Hence
b(d + b) db + c2 − d(d + b) db + a2 = e2 (b − d)(b + d).

Let us cancel d + b, then

b db + c2 − d db + a2 = e2 (b − d).

Therefore


2 b db + c2 − d db + a2
e = .
b−d
Thus
bd(b − d) − (a2 d − c2 b) c2 b − a2 d
e2 = = bd + .
b−d b−d
So, we get

Theorem 6.
c2 b − a2 d
e2 = bd + .
b−d

Mathematical Reflections 6 (2024) 4

Now, we do the same with for f



2 (d + b) db + a2 − f 2 b (d + b) db + c2 − f 2 d
e = = .
d b
We obtain


(d + b) db + a2 − f 2 b (d + b) db + c2 − f 2 d
− = 0.
d b
Hence


(d + b) db + a2 (d + b) db + c2 f 2b f 2d
− = − .
d b d b
Thus



(d + b) db + a2 (d + b) db + c2 f 2 b2 − d2
− = .
d b db
We get
b(d + b) db + a2 − d(d + b) db + c2 = f 2 (b − d)(b + d).

Let us cancel d + b
b db + a2 − d db + c2 = f 2 (b − d).

Therefore


2 b db + a2 − d db + c2
f = .
b−d
Thus, it follows that
bd(b − d) + a2 b − c2 d a2 b − c2 d
f2 = = bd + .
b−d b−d
So, we get

Theorem 7.
a2 b − c2 d
f 2 = bd + .
b−d

This ends the proof.

Mathematical Reflections 6 (2024) 5

Applications
Application 1. Consider a trapezoid with bases equal to 3 and 7. Given that the sum of the squares of its
diagonals is equal to 100. Find the sum of the squares of its legs.

Solution. Let us consider the following trapezoid (see figure below).

By the Trapezoid law, we have that

AB 2 + CD2 = e2 + f 2 − 2 · BC · AD.

We get
AB 2 + CD2 = 100 − 42 = 58.

Application 2. Let ABCD be a trapezoid, where AB = 13, BC = 7, CD = 15, AD = 21 (see the figure).
What is the length of diagonals AC and BD?

Solution. To find diagonal AC we use the Trapezoid theorem

152 · 7 − 132 · 21
AC 2 = 7 · 21 + = 288.
7 − 21

Mathematical Reflections 6 (2024) 6

So, we get that √
AC 2 = 288, so AC = 12 2.
To find diagonal BD we use the Trapezoid theorem

132 · 7 − 152 · 21
BD2 = 7 · 21 + = 400.
7 − 21
Thus, it follows that
BD2 = 400, so BD = 20.

Application 3 (AMC 12, Problem 25, 2008). Let ABCD be a trapezoid with a AB ∥ CD, AB = 11,
BC = 5, CD = 19 and DA = 7. Bisectors of ∠A and ∠D meet at P , and bisectors of ∠B and ∠C meet at
Q. What is the area of hexagon ABQCDP .
√ √ √ √ √
(A) 28 3 (B) 30 3 (C) 32 3 (D) 35 3 (E) 36 3

Solution. To find the area of the hexagon ABQCDP , we need to subtract from the area of trapezoid ABCD
the areas of △AP D and △BCQ.

Area(ABQCDP ) = Area(ABCD) − Area(△AP D) − Area(△BCQ).

Let us start by drawing diagonal DB.

Using the Trapezoid theorem, we get

275 − 931
DB 2 = 209 + = 291.
−8
DB 2 = 291.

Mathematical Reflections 6 (2024) 7

Let ∠A = 2α and ∠C = 2β. Using the law of cosines for triangle ABD, we get

291 = 112 + 72 − 2 · 11 · 7 · cos 2α.

291 = 170 − 154 · cos 2α.

Therefore
121
cos 2α = − .
154
Using the double angle formula, we get
121
− 154 +1 33
cos2 α = = .
2 308
r
33
cos α = .
308
Therefore r
275
sin α = .
308
Using the law of cosines for triangle BCD, we get

291 = 52 + 192 − 2 · 5 · 19 · cos 2β.

291 = 386 − 190 · cos 2β.

We get
1
cos 2β = .
2
Using the double angle formula, we get
1
+1 3
cos2 β = 2
= .
2 4
√
3 1
cos β = , sin β = .
2 2
As we know ∠A = 2α and ∠C = 2β. Let ∠D = 2γ. We have ∠A + ∠D = 180, therefore 2α + 2γ = 180 ,
α + γ = 90. Thus ∠AP D = 90. So, △AP D is a right triangle. In a similar way, one can prove that △BQC
is a right triangle. r
AP 33
= cos α = .
7 308
Therefore r
33
AP = 7 ,
308
and for △BCQ √
CQ 3
= cos β = .
5 2
√
5 3
CQ = .
2
Now let us find the areas of triangles AP D and BCQ.
AD · AP · sin α
Area(△AP D) = .
2
Therefore
√
q q
33
7 · 7 308 · 275
308 35 3
= .
2 8
We get √
35 3
Area(△AP D) = .
8

Mathematical Reflections 6 (2024) 8

and for △BCQ
BC · CQ · sin β
Area(△BCQ) = .
2
√
5 3 1
√
5· 2 · 2 25 3
= .
2 8
We get √
25 3
Area(△BCQ) = .
8
Now let us find the area of trapezoid ABCD.
AB + DC
Area(ABCD) = · h.
2
Let us find the altitude of trapezoid ABCD.

Let us use the Pythagorean theorem to find the altitude of trapezoid ABCD.

h2 = 49 − x2 .

h2 = 25 − 64 + 16x − x2 .
Thus, it follows that
49 − x2 = 25 − 64 + 16x − x2 .
88 = 16x.
11
x= .
2
r r √
121 75 5 3
h = 49 − = = .
4 4 2
Therefore √ √
11 + 19 5 3 75 3
Area(ABCD) = · = .
2 2 2
Thus, it follows that

Area(ABQCDP ) = Area(ABCD) − Area(△AP D) − Area(△BQC).

We obtain √ √ √
75 3 35 3 25 3 √
Area(ABQCDP ) = − − = 30 3.
2 8 8

Mathematical Reflections 6 (2024) 9

References
[1] Sedrakyan H., Sedrakyan N., AMC 8 preparation book, USA (2021)
[2] Sedrakyan H., Sedrakyan N., AMC 10 preparation book, USA (2021)
[3] Sedrakyan H., Sedrakyan N., AMC 12 preparation book, USA (2021)

[4] Sedrakyan H., Sedrakyan N., AMC and AIME geometry must-know techniques, USA (2023)
[5] Sedrakyan H., Sedrakyan N., AIME preparation book, USA (2022)
[6] Sedrakyan H., Sedrakyan N., Competition math for middle school: must-knows and beyond, USA (2023)

[7] Sedrakyan H., Sedrakyan N., MOEMS preparation book Division M, USA (2024)
[8] Sedrakyan H., Sedrakyan N., Math Kangaroo 5-6 preparation book, USA (2023)
[9] Sedrakyan H., Sedrakyan N., Number theory through exercises, USA (2019)
[10] Sedrakyan H., Sedrakyan N., How to prepare for math Olympiads, USA (2019)

Mathematical Reflections 6 (2024) 10