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Theorem

Menelaus's Theorem

Geometry

Gives a ratio condition for three points, one on each side (or its extension) of a triangle, to be collinear. Attributed to Menelaus of Alexandria, it is a companion result to Ceva's theorem and a staple of classical triangle geometry.

Facts
Statement
For a triangle ABC crossed by a transversal line meeting BC, CA, and AB, or their extensions, at points D, E, and F, the signed ratios AF over FB, BD over DC, and CE over EA multiply to negative one. 1
Classification
Statement Form
Identity or Equation 1
Connections

Has Statement Form

Equation, Concepts

Entity-backed identity for the statement-form enum value this theorem already carries, resolved to a mathematics concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The statement-form fact itself stays on the theorem unchanged.

Identity, Concepts

Entity-backed identity for the statement-form enum value this theorem already carries, resolved to a mathematics concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The statement-form fact itself stays on the theorem unchanged.

In Branch

Sources
1. Menelaus's Theorem (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationHistory section
Quote, History section
It is uncertain who actually discovered the theorem; however, the oldest extant exposition appears in Spherics by Menelaus.
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