Topic: Similar triangles
Question: The triangles in the figure are similar. What is the value of the
variable?
Answer choices:
A 24
B 25.5
C 26
D 37.5
302
Solution: A
In a pair of similar triangles, lengths of corresponding sides are
proportional. In the figure, the sides of length x and 28 in the triangle on
the right correspond to the sides of length 30 and 35, respectively, in the
triangle on the left.
So we have the following proportion:
x 28
=
30 35
x 4
=
30 5
Cross multiply.
5x = 120
120
x= = 24
5
303
Topic: Similar triangles
Question: The triangles in the figure are similar. What is the value of the
variable?
Answer choices:
A 16
B 11
C 7
D 4
304
Solution: D
In a pair of similar triangles, lengths of corresponding sides are
proportional. In the figure, the sides of length 5x − 2 and 27 in the triangle
on the right correspond to the sides of length 24 and 36, respectively, in
the triangle on the left.
So we have the following proportion:
5x − 2 27
=
24 36
5x − 2 3
=
24 4
Cross multiply.
20x − 8 = 72
20x = 80
80
x= = 4
20
305
Topic: Similar triangles
Question: Given that △ ABC ∼△ DEC, what is the value of the variable?
Answer choices:
A 4
B 5
C 6
D 9
306
Solution: B
In a pair of similar triangles, lengths of corresponding sides are
proportional.
side DC in △ DEC corresponds to side AC in △ ABC
side DE in △ DEC corresponds to side AB in △ ABC
So we have the following proportion:
9 x+ 1
=
12 + 9 3x − 1
9 x+ 1
=
21 3x − 1
Cross multiply.
9(3x − 1) = 21(x + 1)
27x − 9 = 21x + 21
6x − 9 = 21
6x = 30
x= 5
307