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ABCD is a trapezium in which AB is parallel to DC and 2AB = 3DC. The diagonals AC and BD intersect at O. What is the ratio of the area of Δ AOB to that of Δ DOC?

This question was previously asked in
CDS II 2021 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (14-Nov-2021)
The correct answer is

9 ∶ 4

Finding the Ratio of Areas of Triangles in a Trapezium

Let's analyze the given problem involving a trapezium ABCD. We are told that AB is parallel to DC, which is a key property of a trapezium. The diagonals AC and BD intersect at point O. We are also given a relationship between the lengths of the parallel sides: 2AB = 3DC.

We need to find the ratio of the area of triangle AOB to the area of triangle DOC, i.e., Area(Δ AOB) / Area(Δ DOC).

Identifying Similar Triangles

Consider the two triangles formed by the intersection of the diagonals and the parallel sides: Δ AOB and Δ DOC.

Since AB is parallel to DC and AC is a transversal, the alternate interior angles are equal:

  • ∠ OAB = ∠ OCD (Alternate Interior Angles)

Similarly, since AB is parallel to DC and BD is a transversal, the alternate interior angles are equal:

  • ∠ OBA = ∠ ODC (Alternate Interior Angles)

Also, the angles at the intersection point O are vertically opposite angles:

  • ∠ AOB = ∠ DOC (Vertically Opposite Angles)

Because all three corresponding angles are equal, Δ AOB is similar to Δ DOC by the AAA (Angle-Angle-Angle) similarity criterion.

We can write this similarity as: Δ AOB ∼ Δ DOC.

Ratio of Areas of Similar Triangles

A fundamental property of similar triangles is that the ratio of their areas is equal to the square of the ratio of their corresponding sides. In our case, since Δ AOB ∼ Δ DOC, the corresponding sides are AB and DC, AO and DO, and BO and CO.

So, the ratio of their areas is:

\[ \frac{\text{Area}(\Delta \text{AOB})}{\text{Area}(\Delta \text{DOC})} = \left(\frac{\text{AB}}{\text{DC}}\right)^2 = \left(\frac{\text{AO}}{\text{CO}}\right)^2 = \left(\frac{\text{BO}}{\text{DO}}\right)^2 \]

Using the Given Relation between Parallel Sides

We are given the relation: \[ 2\text{AB} = 3\text{DC} \]

From this, we can find the ratio of the lengths of the parallel sides AB and DC:

\[ \frac{\text{AB}}{\text{DC}} = \frac{3}{2} \]

Calculating the Ratio of Areas

Now we can substitute the ratio AB/DC into the area ratio formula:

\[ \frac{\text{Area}(\Delta \text{AOB})}{\text{Area}(\Delta \text{DOC})} = \left(\frac{\text{AB}}{\text{DC}}\right)^2 = \left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^2 \]

Calculating the square:

\[ \left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^2 = \frac{3^2}{2^2} = \frac{9}{4} \]

So, the ratio of the area of Δ AOB to that of Δ DOC is 9:4.

Summary of Steps

  1. Identify the relevant triangles (Δ AOB and Δ DOC) formed by the diagonals intersecting in the trapezium.
  2. Prove that these two triangles are similar using angle properties (alternate interior angles due to parallel sides, vertically opposite angles).
  3. Use the property that the ratio of areas of similar triangles is the square of the ratio of corresponding sides.
  4. Use the given relation between the parallel sides (2AB = 3DC) to find the ratio AB/DC.
  5. Substitute this ratio into the area ratio formula and calculate the result.

Conclusion

The ratio of the area of Δ AOB to that of Δ DOC is 9 ∶ 4.

Revision Table: Trapezium Geometry

Concept Description Application in Problem
Trapezium A quadrilateral with at least one pair of parallel sides. ABCD is a trapezium with AB || DC.
Parallel Lines & Transversals When a transversal line intersects parallel lines, specific angle relationships exist (e.g., alternate interior angles are equal). Diagonals AC and BD are transversals to parallel lines AB and DC, creating equal alternate interior angles (∠ OAB = ∠ OCD, ∠ OBA = ∠ ODC).
Vertically Opposite Angles Angles opposite each other when two lines intersect are equal. ∠ AOB and ∠ DOC are vertically opposite and thus equal.
Similar Triangles Triangles with corresponding angles equal and corresponding sides proportional. Δ AOB ∼ Δ DOC based on AAA similarity.
Ratio of Areas of Similar Triangles The ratio of the areas of two similar triangles is the square of the ratio of their corresponding sides. Area(Δ AOB) / Area(Δ DOC) = (AB/DC)\(^2\).

Additional Information: Properties of Trapeziums and Triangles

Trapeziums can have other specific properties. For example, an isosceles trapezium has non-parallel sides of equal length, and its diagonals are also equal in length. However, the problem only specifies a general trapezium with parallel sides AB and DC.

In any trapezium, the triangles formed by the non-parallel sides and the point of intersection of the diagonals (Δ AOD and Δ BOC) have equal areas. This is because Δ ABD and Δ ABC stand on the same base AB and are between the same parallel lines AB and DC, so Area(Δ ABD) = Area(Δ ABC). Subtracting Area(Δ AOB) from both gives Area(Δ AOD) = Area(Δ BOC).

Understanding the properties of similar triangles, especially the relationship between side ratios and area ratios, is crucial for solving geometry problems like this one.

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