Triangle Proportionality Theorem

Definition of Triangle Proportionality Theorem

Triangle Proportionality Theorem states that a line drawn parallel to any of the sides of a triangle divides the other two sides proportionally.
Example of Triangle Proportionality Theorem

In the given triangle ABC, BC is the base of the triangle.

DE is drawn parallel to BC and it intersects the other two sides AB and AC at D and E respectively. Here, = .

This is called triangle proportionality theorem. Solved Example on Triangle Proportionality Theorem QP || BC. If AQ = 3 cm, PC = 4 cm, QB = 11 cm, and BC = 12 cm, then find the length of AP rounded to the nearest decimal. Choices: A. 2.59 cm B. 1.09 cm C. 2.09 cm D. 1.59 cm Correct Answer: B Solution: Step 1: A line drawn parallel to any of the sides of a triangle divides the other two sides proportionally. Step 2: = [Proportionality Theorem.] [Substitute the values.]

Step 3: Step 4: 14(AP) = 3(AP) + 12 [Cross multiplication.] Step 5: 11(AP) = 12 [Simplify.] Step 6: AP = 1.09 [Divide by 11 on both sides.] Step 7: The length of AP is 1.09 cm.

Recognizing special right triangles in geometry can help you to answer some questions quicker. A special right triangle is a right triangle whose sides are in a particular ratio. You can also use the Pythagorean theorem, but if you can see that it is a special triangle it can save you some calculations.

In thie lesson, we will learn four types of special triangles: 3-4-5 triangles, 5-12-13 triangles, 45-45-90 triangles and 30-60-90 triangles. how to solve problems involving special right triangles some examples of Pythagorean Triples 345 Triangles A 3-4-5 triangle is right triangle whose lengths are in the ratio of 3:4:5. When you are given the lengths of two sides of a right triangle, check the ratio of the lengths to see if it fits the 3:4:5 ratio.

Side1 : Side2 : Hypotenuse = 3n : 4n : 5n

Example 1: Find the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle if the lengths of the other two sides are 6 inches

and 8 inches.

Solution: Step 1: Test the ratio of the lengths to see if it fits the 3n : 4n : 5n ratio. 6 : 8 : ? = 3(2) : 4(2) : ? Step 2: Yes, it is a 3-4-5 triangle for n = 2. Step 3: Calculate the third side 5n = 52 = 10 Answer: The length of the hypotenuse is 10 inches. Example 2: Find the length of one side of a right triangle if the length of the hypotenuse is 15 inches and the length of the other side is 12 inches. Solution: Step 1: Test the ratio of the lengths to see if it fits the 3n : 4n : 5n ratio. ? : 12 : 15 = ? : 4(3) : 5(3) Step 2: Yes, it is a 3-4-5 triangle for n = 3. Step 3: Calculate the third side 3n = 33 = 9 Answer: The length of the side is 9 inches.

51213 Triangle A 5-12-13 triangle is a right-angled triangle whose lengths are in the ratio of 5:12:13. It is another example of a special right triangle.

Example:

3-4-5 and 5-12-13 are examples of the Pythagorean Triple. They are usually written as (3, 4, 5) and (5, 12, 13). In general, a Pythagorean triple consists of three positive integers such that a2 + b2 = c2. Two other commonly used Pythagorean Triples are (8, 15, 17) and (7, 24, 25)

45-45-90 Triangles A 45- 45- 90 triangle is a special right triangle whose angles are 45, 45and 90. The lengths of the sides of a 45- 4590 triangle are in the ratio of . A right triangle with two sides of equal lengths is a 45- 45- 90 triangle.

Example 1: Find the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle if the lengths of the other two sides are both 3 inches. Solution: Step 1: This is a right triangle with two equal sides so it must be a 45- 45- 90 triangle. Step 2: You are given that the both the sides are 3. If the first and second value of the ratio third side is Answer: The length of the hypotenuse is inches. is 3 then the length of the

You can also recognize a 45- 45- 90 triangle by the angles. As long as you know that one of the angles in the right-angle triangle is 45 then it must be a 45- 45- 90 special right triangle.

A right triangle with a 45 angle must be a 45- 45- 90 special right triangle. Example 2: Find the lengths of the other two sides of a right triangle if the length of the hypotenuse is angles is 45. Solution: Step 1: This is a right triangle with a 45so it must be a 45- 45- 90 triangle. You are given that the hypotenuse is . If the third value of the ratio sides must 4. Answer: The lengths of the two sides are both 4 inches. is inches and one of the

then the lengths of the other two

30-60-90 Triangles Another type of special right triangles is the 30- 60- 90 triangle. This is right triangle whose angles are 30, 60and 90. The lengths of the sides of a 30- 60- 90 triangle are in the ratio of .

Example 1: Find the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle if the lengths of the other two sides are 4 inches and Solution: Step 1: Test the ratio of the lengths to see if it fits the Step 2: Yes, it is a 30- 60- 90 triangle for n = 4 Step 3: Calculate the third side. 2n = 24 = 8 Answer: The length of the hypotenuse is 8 inches. ratio.

inches.

You can also recognize a 30- 60- 90 triangle by the angles. As long as you know that one of the angles in the right-angle triangle is either 30 or 60 then it must be a 30- 60- 90 special right triangle. A right triangle with a 30 angle or 60 angle must be a 30- 60- 90 special right triangle. Example 2: Find the lengths of the other two sides of a right triangle if the length of the hypotenuse is 8 inches and one of the angles is 30. Solution: Step 1: This is a right triangle with a 30 angle so it must be a 30- 60- 90 triangle. You are given that the hypotenuse is 8. Substituting 8 into the third value of the ratio , we get that 2n = 8 n = 4. .

Substituting n = 4 into the first and second value of the ratio we get that the other two sides are 4 and Answer: The lengths of the two sides are 4 inches and inches.