CARLOS HILADO MEMORIAL STATE COLLEGE

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Talisay City, Negros Occidental
1st Semester, AY 2017-2018

COLLINEAR POINTS IN A TRIANGLE

An Investigation
Presented to
The Faculty of Education
Carlos Hilado Memorial State College
Talisay City, Negros Occidental

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course

MMATH INV 403 – Mathematical Investigation

by:

Cristel Mae C. Confesor

April Joy O. Toquero
Student Investigators

JOMEO A. SUMALAPAO
College Instructor

September 2017
Confesor, Cristel Mae C., Toquero, April Joy O. “Collinear Points in a Triangle”. BSED Major
Mathematics Mathematical Investigation. Carlos Hilado Memorial State College. Talisay City,
Negros Occidental. September 2017.

ABSTRACT

This mathematical investigation was conducted to determine the formula to find the number of
segment and triangles formed by connecting the collinear points plotted inside a triangle.
Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions: (1) What is the formula in finding the
number of segments formed by connecting the collinear points to the vertices of the triangle?
and (2) What is the formula in finding the number of triangles formed by connecting the
collinear points to the vertices of the triangle? This mathematical investigation utilized the
concepts of geometry, specifically modern geometry, and patterns. By employing geogebra,
collinear points were plotted inside and connected to the vertices of the triangle then the
number of segments and the number of triangles formed were counted. Examining the
patterns, conjectures were formulated. Based on the conjectures, it was found out that there
was a connection between the number of segments and the number of triangles formed. By
testing the conjectures, it was verified to be true for some values and using direct proofs, the
conjectures were justified and proven to be true for any value which is a natural number.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page
Abstract i
Table of Contents ii
Introduction 1
Statement of the Problem 3
Data Gathering and Conjecture 3
Verifying Conjecture
Conjecture 1 4
Conjecture 2 7
Justifying Conjectures
Conjecture 1 9
Conjecture 2 9
Summary 9
Possible Extensions 10
References 10
Acknowledgement iii

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INTRODUCTION
Geometry is one of the classical disciplines of math. Roughly translating in Greek as
“Earth Measurement”, it is concerned with the properties of space and figures. It is primarily
developed to be a practical guide for measuring lengths, areas, and volumes, and is still in use
up to now. Euclid turned the study of geometry into an axiomatic form at around 3rd century
BC, and these axioms are still useful up to the present day. An important evolution for the
science of geometry was created when Rene Descartes was able to create the concept of
analytical geometry. Because of it, plane figures can now be represented analytically, and is one
of the driving forces for the development of calculus. In addition, the rise of perspective gave
rise to projective geometry. Nowadays, modern geometry has strong ties with physics, and is
an integral part of new physical concepts such as relativity and string theories.
Patterns are all around us and occur in a wide range of forms. Patterns may be seen in
both natural and built environments, as well as in many aspects of day-to-day living. It can be
arithmetic or geometric. Being able to identify patterns is extremely important. Through the
investigation of patterns, possible connections can be examined and predictions made.
In relation to this, an investigation is made to unveil any patterns hidden when plotting
collinear points inside a triangle, as well as, to determine the formula in finding the number of
segments and triangles formed after connecting the points to the vertices of the triangle. May
this investigation open the vast opportunities for investigation in the world of modern geometry.

SITUATION
Starting with 1 point, plot it inside the triangle and connect the point to the vertices of
the triangle using a line segment. Same process is done with 2, 3, 4, and 5 points.
Notice that the points inside the triangle are collinear but they are just connected by an
imaginary line so we do not include them in counting.
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Counting the number of segments formed by connecting 1 point to the vertices of the
triangle, there are 6, including the three sides of the triangle. Doing the same for 2 points, 3
points, 4 points, and 5 points, there are 9, 12, 15, and 18 segments, respectively.
Now, counting the number of triangles formed by connecting 1 point to the vertices of
the triangle, there are 4. This includes the triangles which vertices are the points inside the
original triangle and its vertices, together with the original triangle. Doing the same for 2, 3, 4,
and 5 points, there are exactly 7, 10, 13, and 16 triangles, respectively.
The number of segments for this situation forms a pattern:
𝑆1 = 6
𝑆2 = 6 + 3
𝑆3 = 6 + 3 + 3
𝑆4 = 6 + 3 + 3 + 3
𝑆5 = 6 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3; where 𝑆 is the number of segments
Also, the number of triangles forms a pattern:
𝑇1 = 4
𝑇2 = 4 + 3
𝑇3 = 4 + 3 + 3
𝑇4 = 4 + 3 + 3 + 3
𝑇5 = 4 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3; where 𝑇 is the number of triangles

Investigate.
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STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This mathematical investigation aims to determine the formula to find the number of
segment and triangles formed by connecting the collinear points plotted inside a triangle.
Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:
1) What is the formula in finding the number of segments formed by connecting the
collinear points to the vertices of the triangle?
2) What is the formula in finding the number of triangles formed by connecting the
collinear points to the vertices of the triangle?

CONJECTURES AND DATA GATHERING

Let us look for patterns on the 𝑆𝑛 in the table below.
Number of points Number of segments
Considering column 1 and 2,
inside the triangle (𝑛) formed (𝑆𝑛 )
(1 + 1)(1 + 2)
1 6
= (2)(3)
(1 + 2)(1 + 2)
2 9
= (3)(3)
(1 + 3)(1 + 2)
3 12
= (4)(3)
(1 + 4)(1 + 2)
4 15
= (5)(3)
(1 + 5)(1 + 2)
5 18
= (6)(3)
⋮ ⋮ ⋮
(1 + 𝑛)(1 + 2)
𝑛 𝑆𝑛 = (1 + 𝑛)(3)
= 3𝑛 + 3

Observing column 3, the sum of 1 and the entry in column 1 is multiplied by 3 resulting
to the entry in column 2. Notice that there is an observable pattern and it is true for any 𝑛.
Thus, we’ve come up with a conjecture.

Conjecture 1: 𝑆𝑛 = 3𝑛 + 3; where 𝑛 is a natural number

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Now, let’s examine the patterns on 𝑇𝑛 in the table below.

Number of points Number of triangles
Considering column 1 and 2,
inside the triangle (𝑛) formed (𝑇𝑛 )
(1 + 1)(1 + 2) − 2
1 4
= (2)(3) − 2
(1 + 2)(1 + 2) − 2
2 7
= (3)(3) − 2
(1 + 3)(1 + 2) − 2
3 10
= (4)(3) − 2
(1 + 4)(1 + 2) − 2
4 13
= (5)(3) − 2
(1 + 5)(1 + 2) − 2
5 15
= (6)(3) − 2
⋮ ⋮ ⋮
(1 + 𝑛)(1 + 2) − 2
= (1 + 𝑛)(3) − 2
𝑛 𝑇𝑛
= 3𝑛 + 3 − 2
= 3𝑛 + 1

Examining the pattern in column 3, 2 is deducted from the product of 3 and the sum of
1 and the entry in column 1 to get the entry in column 2. In short, number of segments
subtracted by 2 is the number of triangles. This is true for any 𝑛, thus, we’ve come up with our
second conjecture.

Conjecture 2: 𝑇𝑛 = 3𝑛 + 1; where 𝑛 is a natural number

VERIFYING CONJECTURES
CONJECTURE 1
To verify the conjecture, test the formula for any arbitrary natural number.
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Below is the figure for 𝑛 = 9.

𝑛 Maximum number of segments

9 30

Using the formula obtained,

𝑆9 = 3𝑛 + 3
= 3(9) + 3
=30

The next figure is for 𝑛 = 10,

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𝑛 Maximum number of segments

10 33

Using the formula obtained,

𝑆10 = 3𝑛 + 3
= 3(10) + 3
= 30 + 3
= 33

Below is the figure for 𝑛 = 29

𝑛 Maximum number of segments

29 90

Using the formula obtained,

𝑆29 = 3𝑛 + 3
= 3(29) + 3
= 87 + 3
= 90

Therefore the conjecture is verified to be true for 𝑛 = 9, 𝑛 = 10 and 𝑛 = 29.

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CONJECTURE 2
To verify the conjecture, test the formula for any arbitrary natural number.
The figure below is for 𝑛 = 9

𝑛 Maximum number of triangles

9 28

Using the formula obtained,

𝑇9 = 3n + 1
= 3(9) + 1
= 28

The figure below is for 𝑛 = 10

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𝑛 Maximum number of triangles

10 31

Using the formula obtained,

𝑇10 = 3n + 1
= 3(10) + 1
=31

The figure below is for 𝑛 = 29

𝑛 Maximum number of triangles

29 88

Using the formula obtained,

𝑇29 = 3n + 1
= 3(29) + 1
=88

Therefore, the conjecture is verified to be true for 𝑛 = 9, 𝑛 = 10 and 𝑛 = 29.

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JUSTIFYING CONJECTURES
CONJECTURE 1

. . .

Let 𝑆𝑛 be the number of segments and 𝑛 be the number of points inside the triangle.
We need to show that the conjecture is true for all values of 𝑛.
Based on the situation presented previously, it is stated that the points inside the
triangle are connected to the vertices of the triangle. Assume that 𝑛 = 1. Since there are three
vertices in a triangle, there are already three segments formed. But, we include counting the
sides of the triangle, thus there are 6 segments formed by 1 point. If we add another point,
that will form another 3 segments. Hence, there are already 9 segments. We can say that if a
point is added inside the triangle, 3 segments are added as well.
We have proved that 𝑆𝑛 = 3𝑛 + 3 is true for all 𝑛 which is a natural number.

CONJECTURE 2

. . .
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Let 𝑇𝑛 be the number of triangles and 𝑛 be the number of points inside the triangle. We
need to show that the conjecture is true for all values of 𝑛.
Based on the situation presented previously, it is stated that the points inside the
triangle are connected to the vertices of the triangle. Assume that 𝑛 = 1. Since there are three
vertices in a triangle, 3 triangles that are bounded by the point and the vertices of that triangle
will be formed. But, we include counting the big triangle, thus there are 4 triangles formed by 1
point. If we add another point, that will form additional 3 triangles. Hence, there are 7 triangles
formed by 2 points. We can say that if a point is added inside the triangle, we’ll have to multiply
3 triangles to the number of points and add the big triangle.
We have proved that 𝑇𝑛 = 3𝑛 + 1 is true for all 𝑛 which is a natural number.

SUMMARY
In this mathematical investigation we have sought to find a formula that will help us
determine the number of segments and the number of triangles formed when connecting
collinear points inside the triangle.
In the conduct of the investigation the formula to determine the number of sides was
found out and by direct proof was proven to be
𝑆𝑛 = 3𝑛 + 3, where 𝑛 is a natural number

Also, the number of triangles was determined the number of segments diminished by 2
and by direct proof was proven to be
𝑇𝑛 = 3𝑛 + 1, where 𝑛 is a natural number.

POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS
In what has transpired in this investigation, the following are recommended as
extensions of this investigation.
1. Using the same investigation
a. What will be the formula in determining the number of intersections found inside
the triangle?
b. What will be the formula in determining the number of regions formed inside the
triangle?
2. Investigate using the concept of geometry (considering the figure is a 3-dimensional)
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a. What will be the new formula in determining the number of segments formed
inside the triangle?
b. What will be the new formula in determining the number of triangles formed
inside the triangle?

Reference: www.teach-nology.com
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The investigators would like to extend their deepest gratitude to those who contributed
and lend a hand, guidance and support for the completion of this mathematical investigation.

Above all, to the Almighty Father who is the source of the investigators’ strength,
knowledge and wisdom needed to surpass the challenges encountered in the course of writing
this paper.

Mr. Jomeo Sumalapao, the investigators’ supportive teacher who encouraged and spent
time and patience in guiding the investigators for the accomplishment of this mathematical
investigation.

To Mr. Igmedio M. Amante and Ms. Norelyn C. Gargaceran, for evaluating the
investigation. The comments and suggestions given were utilized in the revision of the paper
and made the investigation more valid and correct.

The friends of the investigators, for the accommodation and lending a laptop when
needed.

All the help was truly appreciated. This mathematical investigation was sincerely
dedicated to all who made this achievement possible.

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