Question

O is a point in the exterior of △ABC. What symbol ‘>’,’<’ or ‘=’ will you see to complete the statement OA+OB….AB? Write two other similar statements and show that OA + OB + OC > ½ (AB + BC +CA)

Answer 1

We know that the sum of any two sides of a triangle is always greater than the third side, in △OAB, we have,

OA + OB > AB ….. (i)

OB + OC > BC …… (ii)

OA + OC > CA ….. (iii)

On adding equations (i), (ii) and (iii) we get:

OA + OB + OB + OC + OA + OC > AB + BC + CA

2(OA + OB + OC) > AB + BC + CA

OA + OB + OC > (AB + BC + CA)/2

Or

OA + OB + OC > ½ (AB + BC +CA)

Hence the proof.