document.write( "Question 923778: A triangle has sides of 4, 9, and 12. In a similar triangle the shortest side is 12 and the longest is x. (a) write a proportion that models the situation
\n" ); document.write( "(b) solve the proptiortion for x \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #560511 by math-vortex(648)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
\r\n" );
document.write( "Hi, there---\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "Problem:\r\n" );
document.write( "A triangle has sides of 4, 9, and 12. In a similar triangle the shortest side is 12 and the longest is x. \r\n" );
document.write( "(a) write a proportion that models the situation\r\n" );
document.write( "(b) solve the proptiortion for x\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "Solution:\r\n" );
document.write( "(a) Similar triangles has the same shape, and the corresponding sides differ by a common scale factor.\r\n" );
document.write( "Since 12 is the shortest side in the similar triangle, it is proportional to the side of 4 in the original triangle.\r\n" );
document.write( "Since x is the longest side in the similar triangle, it is proportional to the side of 12 in the original triangle.\r\n" );
document.write( "Therefore, one possible proportion is \r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "[similar shortest] / [original shortest] = [similar longest] / [original longest]\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "or\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "12/4 = x/12\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "(b) To solve the proportion, multiply both sides of the equation (proportion) by 12 to isolate x.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "144/4 = x\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "Divide 144 by 4.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "36 = x\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "The longest side of the similar triangle is 36.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "Hope this helps. Feel free to email if you have questions about the solution.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "Mrs. F\r\n" );
document.write( "math.in.the.vortex@gmail.com\r\n" );
document.write( "
\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "
\n" );