Solve this based on the information in the figure

Question

Based on the information in the figure, express the length of PQ in terms of the lengths of AB and DC.

Theorems :   The straight line segment through the midpoints of two sides of a triangle is parallel to the third side and equal in length to half of it.  Also The straight line through the midpoint of one side of a triangle and parallel to another side, bisects the third side.

Answer 1

If AD and BC are extended to meet at R we get a triangle ARB. The triangles ARB, PRQ and DRC are similar because AB, PQ and DC are parallel. RD/RP=DC/PQ=RC/RQ; RD/RA=DC/AB=RC/RB; RP/RA=PQ/AB=RQ/RB. We have two equations containing PQ (in bold print). However, we don't have any more information about the position of PQ in relation to AB or CD. All we know is DC<PQ<AB.

The middle equation merely proves the given theorem that if RD/RA=1/2 (D is the midpoint of RA) then DC/AB=1/2, DC=(1/2)AB.

If P is the midpoint of AD then DP=PA. Let RA=4x. Then RD=2x, RP=3x, RD/RP=2/3=DC/PQ; RP/RA=3/4=PQ/AB. Therefore PQ=3AB/4=3DC/2 and DC=AB/2.