Math Problem Statement

a. What is the length of side DE? b. What is the length of side EF?

Solution

The image shows two similar triangles, ABC\triangle ABC (the smaller one) and DEF\triangle DEF (the larger one). The sides of ABC\triangle ABC are given as follows:

  • AC=3AC = 3,
  • AB=73AB = \frac{7}{3},
  • BC=32BC = \frac{3}{2}.

For DEF\triangle DEF, one side is given:

  • DF=5DF = 5.

Since the triangles are similar, we can use the proportionality of corresponding sides to determine the lengths of DEDE and EFEF.

Part a: Length of side DEDE

The corresponding sides of ABC\triangle ABC and DEF\triangle DEF are proportional. Let's set up the ratio using the given sides:

DFAC=DEAB\frac{DF}{AC} = \frac{DE}{AB}

Substituting the known values:

53=DE73\frac{5}{3} = \frac{DE}{\frac{7}{3}}

Now solve for DEDE:

DE=5×731=353DE = \frac{5 \times \frac{7}{3}}{1} = \frac{35}{3}

So, the length of side DEDE is 353\frac{35}{3}, or approximately 11.67 units.

Part b: Length of side EFEF

Similarly, we can use the ratio of corresponding sides to find the length of side EFEF. The corresponding sides are:

DFAC=EFBC\frac{DF}{AC} = \frac{EF}{BC}

Substitute the known values:

53=EF32\frac{5}{3} = \frac{EF}{\frac{3}{2}}

Now solve for EFEF:

EF=5×321=152EF = \frac{5 \times \frac{3}{2}}{1} = \frac{15}{2}

So, the length of side EFEF is 152\frac{15}{2}, or 7.5 units.


Would you like more details or clarifications on these calculations?

Here are five related questions to consider:

  1. What are the properties of similar triangles?
  2. How do you know which sides of the triangles correspond to each other?
  3. What is the general formula for solving proportions in similar triangles?
  4. How can you check if two triangles are similar?
  5. Can you use other methods, like the Pythagorean theorem, to verify the side lengths?

Tip: When working with similar triangles, always make sure to set up ratios between corresponding sides properly.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Similar Triangles
Proportionality

Formulas

Proportion of sides in similar triangles: (DE/AB) = (DF/AC)
(EF/BC) = (DF/AC)

Theorems

Similarity Theorem in Triangles

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10