document.write( "Question 635832: 18. One triangle has sides measuring 3”, 6”, and 9”. A similar triangle has sides measuring 5” and 15”. Find the length of the missing side.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I need help thanks so very much! \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #400629 by jsmallt9(3758) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The sides of similar triangles are proportional. This means that if you make a ratio out of any two corresponding sides, then it works out the same as when you make a ratio out of another pair of corresponding sides.

\n" ); document.write( "So to solve your problem we need to figure out which sides correspond to each other. We can do this by trial and error. Let's start by making a ratio out of two sides:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"3%2F5\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Now can we form another ratio use a different pair of sides that works out the same? Answer: Yes. We can use
\n" ); document.write( " $\"9%2F15\"$ which reduces to $\"3%2F5\"$

\n" ); document.write( "And try as you might, there are no other combinations that result in equal ratios. Since the 3 and 5 inch side correspond and the 9 and 15 inch sides correspond, the 6\" side must correspond to the missing side.

\n" ); document.write( "We already know what the ratio of that third pair of sides will work out to be, 3/5. We can use this to find the third side:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"3%2F5+=+6%2Fx\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Solving this for x we should find that x = 10. So the missing side is 10\". \n" ); document.write( "

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