Question

W=? in centimeters please help.

Answer 1

w = 9 cm

Explanation:

The figure shows two similar right triangles. Similar triangles have proportional corresponding sides.

Write a proportion between triangles' legs:

`(12)/(12+4)=(w)/(12)\\ \\ \\(12)/(16)=(w)/(12)`

Cross multiply:

`16\cdot w=12\cdot 12\\ \\16w=144\\ \\w=(144)/(16)\\ \\w=9`