Trapezoid Midsegment Theorem
Discovering the Trapezoid Midsegment Theorem.
Step 1 Compare the trapezoid’s base angles with the corresponding angles at the midsegment. Are the angles congruent? What can you conclude then about the midsegment compared to the bases? Are your findings about the midsegment true for all trapezoids? Complete the conjecture in your notes.
Trapezoid Midsegment Conjecture
The midsegment of a trapezoid is _________________ to the bases.
Step 2 Let’s investigate how the length of the midsegment of a trapezoid compares to the lengths of the two bases. What do you notice about the length of the midsegment and the sum of the lengths of the two bases? (Note that the Geogebra software rounds each length to the whole number.) Are your findings about the midsegment true for all trapezoids? Complete the conjecture in your notes.
Trapezoid Midsegment Length Conjecture
The length of the midsegment is the average of the lengths of the ____________.