Answer: The altitude of the smaller triangle is 14.4 inches
Explanation:
Two similar triangles have a scale factor of 3:5. This can also be expressed as 3/5
The altitude of the larger triangle is 24 inches. The difference in altitude or other lengths of the two similar triangles is linear. To determine the altitude of the smaller triangle, let us assign x to the altitude of the smaller triangle. It means that 3:5 = x : 24. Therefore
3/5 = x/24
Cross multiplying, it becomes
5x = 3×24 = 72
x = 72/5 = 14.4