Question

Triangle A has side lengths of 45, 36, 24

while Triangle B has side lengths 7.5,6,4.
Are the triangles similar? If so, what is the
scale factor of Triangle A to Triangle B.

Answer 1

A : B scale factor is 6 : 1

Explanation:

Writing both given ratios in least-to-greatest order and in lowest terms, we have ...

24 : 36 : 45 = 8 : 12 : 15 . . . triangle A

4 : 6 : 7.5 = 8 : 12 : 15 . . . . . triangle B

The ratios of side lengths are the same, so the triangles are similar. The sides of the larger one are 24/4 = 6 times the sides of the smaller one.

A : B scale factor is 6 : 1