This is a beautiful example of an affine theorem. It is not clear who actually first
proved this theorem, but it was studied in papers by Marion Walter’s and her name
is as a consequence attached to the theorem.
The theorem is true for any triangle, if are divided into thirds and segments are
drawn as in the figure. The theorem states the ratio of the area of the central shaded
hexagon to the area of ABC. (We are not stating this ratio yet to make the problem
more fun to solve.)
A
B
C
A general approach to the solution would be to find (as a ratio times the area S of
ABC) the areas of various pieces in the figure. Given the limited time for this
workshop, we are going to suggest some pieces on the next page. Some of these you
have already computed earlier.
Since this is an affine theorem, we can prove it for any triangle. The figures on the
net page are actually the case of an equilateral triangle, but the reasoning works for
any triangle.
In each case, assuming the area of ABC is S, what number times S is equal to the area
for each of the 5 cases on the next page (some are really the same).
Once you have the areas, add up the last three areas. This covers the complement of
the hexagon, but does it more than once for some of the polygons. So subtract the
areas of the first two figures and think why the result is exactly the area of the
complement of hexagon. Hence the area of the hexagon can be computed.
Final Example: Ceva’s Theorem. Probably no time for this, so you can look it up if
we do not discuss this theorem