What is the Difference Between Altitude and Median?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between altitude and median lies in their geometric properties and the way they are defined within a triangle:
- Altitude: An altitude is a perpendicular line segment drawn from a vertex of a triangle to the opposite side. It helps find the height of the triangle and may or may not divide the opposite side into two equal parts.
- Median: A median is a line segment drawn from a vertex of the triangle to the midpoint of the opposite side. It divides the opposite side into two equal parts.
In summary, an altitude is perpendicular to the opposite side and may or may not divide it into two equal parts, while a median is drawn from a vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side and always divides it into two equal parts.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Altitude and Median? Comparative Table: Altitude vs Median
Comparative Table: Altitude vs Median
The difference between altitude and median in the context of a triangle can be summarized as follows:
| Feature | Median | Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A median is a line segment connecting a vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side. | An altitude is a line segment connecting a vertex to the opposite side, perpendicular to it. |
| Purpose | Medians help to divide the opposite side into two equal parts or halves. | Altitudes help to make 90° with the opposite side, i.e., be perpendicular to it. |
| Relationship | A median can also be an altitude in special cases, such as equilateral and isosceles triangles. | An altitude can never be a median, as it always makes a 90° angle with the opposite side. |
In summary, a median is drawn from a vertex of the triangle to the midpoint of the opposite side, while an altitude is drawn from a vertex of the triangle to the opposite side being perpendicular to it.
Read more:
- Altitude vs Height
- Mean vs Median
- Altitude vs Elevation
- Altitude vs Latitude
- Altitude vs Perpendicular Bisector
- Median vs Average (Mean)
- Medial vs Lateral
- Mean, Median vs Mode
- Parallels vs Meridians
- Tall vs High
- Height vs Depth
- Mountain vs Hill
- Media vs Medium
- True Meridian vs Arbitrary Meridian
- Height vs Length
- Standard Deviation vs Mean
- Longitude vs Latitude
- Height vs Width
- Geometric Mean vs Arithmetic Mean