Triangle in a triangle

Can you work out the fraction of the original triangle that is covered by the inner triangle?
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Problem

Triangle in a Triangle printable sheet



Draw a right-angled triangle $ABC$, and mark a point $\frac13$ of the way along $AB$, $\frac13$ of the way along $BC$ and $\frac13$ of the way along $CA$.

Join your three points together to form a new triangle.

Can you work out the fraction of the original triangle that is covered by your new triangle?

You may wish to explore using the interactive diagram below.



Try a few examples. What do you notice?

Can you explain why?

Perhaps it might help to add some extra lines... click below to see.

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Triangle in a Triangle

 

We started with a right-angled triangle... what about other triangles?

Image
Triangle in a Triangle
 

What fraction of the triangle is shaded purple?

Can you prove it?

You may wish to try Areas and Ratios and Another Triangle in a Triangle next.