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Please help me solve this problem on similar figures➕➖

Please help me solve this problem on similar figures➕➖-example-1

2 Answers

1 vote

To begin to solve this problem, we need to figure out by what number the sides are similar. That means what do we have to multiply the sides of one triangle to get the sides of the other triangle.


If the longest side of a similar triangle measures 39 centimeters, we can divide 39 by 65 (the longest side of the triangle we know) to figure out what we have to multiply each of the sides of the triangle. 39 / 65 is 0.6, so the triangles are similar by a factor of 0.6.


Since the question asks us for the length of the shortest side, we need to multiply the length of the shortest side of the triangle that we know (25) by 0.6. 25 * 0.6 is 15, so the length of the shortest side of this triangle is 15 cm.

User KnowsLittle
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2 votes

A similar triangle means it is of a diferent size, but the sides or angles are proportionaly the same.


Use the rule of 3 on each number, to find the equivalent sides:


65 - 39

60 - x


(60 * 39) / 65

2340 / 65

36cm



60 - 36

25 - x


(25*36) / 60

900 / 60

15cm



Original triangle: 65, 60, 25

Similar triangle: 39, 36, 15


Answer:



\boxed{\bf~The~smallest~side~of~the~trianlge~measures~15cm.}




Hope it helped,


Happy homework/ study/ exam!