Examples with solutions for The Ratio of Similarity: Using Pythagoras' theorem

Exercise #1

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ΔADEΔFCE ΔADE∼Δ\text{FCE}

Calculate the perimeter of the given rectangle ABCD.

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's begin by observing triangle FCE and calculate side FC using the Pythagorean theorem:

EC2+FC2=EF2 EC^2+FC^2=EF^2

Let's begin by substituting all the known values into the formula:

82+FC2=102 8^2+FC^2=10^2

64+FC2=100 64+FC^2=100

FC2=10064 FC^2=100-64

FC2=36 FC^2=36

Let's take the square root:

FC=6 FC=6

Since we know that the triangles overlap:

ADFC=DECE=AEFE \frac{AD}{FC}=\frac{DE}{CE}=\frac{AE}{FE}

Let's again substitute the known values into the formula:

AD6=168 \frac{AD}{6}=\frac{16}{8}

AD=2×6=12 AD=2\times6=12

Finally let's calculate side CD:

16+8=24 16+8=24

Since in a rectangle each pair of opposite sides are equal, we can calculate the perimeter of rectangle ABCD as follows:

12+24+12+24=24+48=72 12+24+12+24=24+48=72

Answer

72

Exercise #2

ABCD is a parallelogram
BFCE is a deltoid

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What is the area of the parallelogram ABCD?

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

First, we must remember the formula for the area of a parallelogram:Lado x Altura \text{Lado }x\text{ Altura} .

In this case, we will try to find the height CH and the side BC.

We start from the side

First, let's observe the small triangle EBG,

As it is a right triangle, we can use the Pythagorean theorem (

A2+B2=C2 A^2+B^2=C^2 )

BG2+42=52 BG^2+4^2=5^2

BG2+16=25 BG^2+16=25

BG2=9 BG^2=9

BG=3 BG=3

Now, let's start looking for GC.

First, remember that the deltoid has two pairs of equal adjacent sides, therefore:FC=EC=9 FC=EC=9

Now we can also do Pythagoras in the triangle GCE.

GC2+42=92 GC^2+4^2=9^2

GC2+16=81 GC^2+16=81

GC2=65 GC^2=65

GC=65 GC=\sqrt{65}

Now we can calculate the side BC:

BC=BG+GT=3+6511 BC=BG+GT=3+\sqrt{65}\approx11

Now, let's observe the triangle BGE and DHC

Angle BGE = 90°
Angle CHD = 90°
Angle CDH=EBG because these are opposite parallel angles.

Therefore, there is a ratio of similarity between the two triangles, so:

HDBG=HCGE \frac{HD}{BG}=\frac{HC}{GE}

HDBG=7.53=2.5 \frac{HD}{BG}=\frac{7.5}{3}=2.5

HCEG=HC4=2.5 \frac{HC}{EG}=\frac{HC}{4}=2.5

HC=10 HC=10

Now that there is a height and a side, all that remains is to calculate.

10×11110 10\times11\approx110

Answer

110 \approx110

Exercise #3

Calculate AE given that triangle ABC is isosceles.

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Video Solution

Answer

813 8\frac{1}{3}