SELF-LEARNING HOME TASK (SLHT)

Subject : Mathematics Grade : 9 Quarter : 2 Week : 7

MELC : Proves the conditions for similarity of triangles Competency Code: M9GE-IIIgh-1
Right Triangle Similarity Theorem and Special Right
Triangle Theorems
Name : ____________________________________ Section : __________________ Date: ____________
School : ____________________________________ District : ____________________________________

I. Readings/Discussions
Right Triangle Similarity Theorem
Among the types of triangles studied, the right triangle seems to be the most useful, since it lends itself to
solutions of various practical problems. Its properties will aid in the proper analysis of problem situation.
Carefully examine the right ABC with the right angle at C. Assume that CD ⊥ AB at D.

By the reflexive property of congruence , ∠A ≅ ∠A and ∠B ≅ ∠B. Since all right angles are congruent, then by
AA Similarity Theorem ∆ ACB ~ ∆ ADC ~ ∆ CDB.
Parts of the Right Triangle
Triangle Right Angle Hypotenuse Acute Angles Shorter Leg Longer Leg
∆ ACB ∠C AB ∠A & ∠B AC BC
∆ ADC ∠D AC ∠A & ∠C AD CD
∆ CDB ∠D CB ∠C & ∠B CD BD

Thus, ∆ ADC ~ ∆ CDB CD BD

= The altitude to the hypotenuse of a
AD CD
right triangle form two smaller right
∆ ACB ~ ∆ ADC AC AD triangles.
=
AB AC

∆ ACB ~ ∆ CDB AB CB
=
CB DB

Theorem:

If the altitude is drawn to the hypotenuse of a right triangle, then the two triangles
formed are similar to the original triangle and to each other.

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 Proofs:

Consider ∆ ABC such that ∠C is right and CD

is an altitude to the hypotenuse. We have to
prove that ∆ ADC ~ ∆ ACB ~ ∆ CDB

Since CD ⊥ AB, then m∠ADC = m∠CDB = m∠ACB= 90. Since ∠A ≅ ∠A, then by AA Similarity Theorem,
we have ∆ ADC ~ ∆ ACB. Using the same theorem and that ∠B ≅ ∠B, we have ∆ ACB~ ∆ CDB.
Recall that the geometric mean of two numbers a and b is the positive number x such that a:x = x:b. If x
is the geometric mean of a and b, then x = √ab. We will now present two corollaries of the previous theorem.

Corollaries
In a right triangle, the length of the altitude from the right angle to the hypotenuse is the geometric
mean of the lengths of the two segments of the hypotenuse.
If the altitude is drawn to the hypotenuse of a right triangle, then each leg of the triangle is the
geometric mean of the hypotenuse and the segment of the hypotenuse adjacent to that leg.

Consider ∆ ACB such that ∠C is a right angle

and CD is an altitude to the hypotenuse. The
corollaries above tells that:

AD CD , AB AC and AB BC
= = =
CD BD AC AD BC BD

Illustrative Example

In the accompanying figure, XC = 4 cm and

CZ = 9 cm. What is YC?

Solution:
Using the previous corollary, we have
XC YC
=
YC CZ

By Substitution, we have 4 YC
=
YC 9

(YC)2 = 36

YC = 6 cm
2
 Special Right Triangle Theorems

Two very special right triangle relationships will continually appear throughout the study of
mathematics:
45-45-90 Triangle
30-60-90 Triangle

The Pythagorean Theorem gives as information about the special right triangles.
In what follows , we prove that in a 45⁰ – 45⁰ – 90⁰ triangle, or in an isosceles right triangle, the
hypotenuse is √2 times as long as each leg.

Given: Isosceles right ∆ACB with legs of length a and

hypotenuse c.

Prove: c = a √2

Proof: By the Pythagorean Theorem, we have c 2 = a2 + a2

c2 = 2a2

c = a√2

Theorem:
In a 45⁰ – 45⁰ – 90⁰ triangle, the hypotenuse is √2 times as long as each leg

Illustrative Examples
A. In a 45⁰ – 45⁰ – 90⁰ triangle,
RS = 16. Find PS

Solution:
PS = 16 √2

B. Using the same figure, if PS =12, Thus, we have

Solution:
Let RS = x 121, then x √2 = 12. Thus, we have

x = 12 = 12 ∙ √2 = 12 √2
=
6 √2
√2 √2 ∙ √2 2

In what follows, we will prove that in a 30⁰ – 60⁰ – 90⁰ triangle, the hypotenuse is twice as long as the
shorter leg, and the longer leg is √3 times as long as the shorter leg.
Given: ∆ ACB, with right angle C, m∠A =30, m∠B =60, BC = a, AC = b, AB = c

Prove: c = 2a, b = √3

Proof : First, we reflect ∆ ABC through AC.

Thus, we have ∆ ABC= ∆ ABC.

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 Since m∠CAB =30, we have m∠BAB’ =60. Also, since
m∠B’ = m∠B =60, conclude that m∠ABB’is equiangular and
hence, equilateral. This implies that AB=BB’ = a + a = 2a, we
obtain c =2a.
By the Pythagorean Theorem, we have a2 + b2 = c2.
Substituting= 2a, we get a2 + b2 = (2a)2
a2 + b2 = 4a2
b2 = 4a2 - a2
b2=3a2
b = a√3

Theorem:
In a 30⁰ – 60⁰ – 90⁰ triangle, the hypotenuse is twice as long the shorter leg, and the longer leg is √3
Times as long as the shorter leg.

Illustrative Examp

A. The length of the hypotenuse of a 30⁰ – 60⁰ – 90⁰ triangle is 16. Find the length of the shorter leg and
the longer leg.

Solution:
Draw the figure.

2a = 16
a=8

b = a√3
b = 8 √3

B. The altitude of an equilateral triangle has length 12. Find the length of a side of this triangle.

Solution:
Draw the figure.
b√3 = 12
b = 12 ∙√3
√3 ∙√3
= 12 √3
3
b = 4 √3

c = 2b
= 2(4 √3 )
c = 8 √3

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II. Exercises
Exercise 1
Assume that SD is the altitude to the hypotenuse UT of right ∆ UST.

1. If a = 9 and b = 3, find u.
2. If a = 15 and b = 12, find h.
3. If a = 21 and b =7, find t.
4. If b = 7 and a = 28, find t, h, u.
5. If b = 12 and UT = 36, find h, t, u.

Exercise 2
Triangle ABC is an isosceles right triangle with ∠C as the right angle.

1. If a =5 cm, find c.
2. If b =8 cm, find c.
3. If b = 12.5 cm, find c.

Triangle GMA is a 30⁰ – 60⁰ – 90⁰ triangle.

4. If m = 26 cm, find a and g.
5. If a = 30 cm, find m and g.

III. Assessment/Application/Outputs (Please refer to DepEd Order No. 31, s. 2020).

A. Direction: Read and analyze each problem carefully and choose the letter of the correct answer
from the choices given.

1. Which of the following statements is true about the figure?

I. ∆ CAL ~ ∆ CMA ~ ∆ AML

II. AM is the geometric mean of CM and LM.
III. AL is the geometric mean of LM and CL
IV. AC is the geometric mean of CM and CL
V. AM is an altitude to hypotenuse CL.

A. I only B. I & V only C. II, III, IV only D. All of the above

2. What is the perimeter of a 30⁰ – 60⁰ – 90⁰ triangle whose hypotenuse is 8 cm long?
A. 4 + √3 cm B. 24 + 8√3 cm C. 12 + √3 cm D. 12 + 4 √3

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 3. In the figure, there are three similar triangles by Right Triangle Proportionality Theorem. Name the
triangle that is missing in the statement: ∆ HOP ~ ∆ ____ ~ ∆ OEP.
A. ∆ HOE B. ∆ OEH
C. ∆ HOP D. ∆ HEO

4. The hypotenuse of an isosceles trapezoid measures 7 cm. How long is each leg?
C. 7 √2 cm B. 3.5 cm C. 7 √2 cm D. 7 √3 cm
2 3
5. What is the perimeter of a 30⁰ – 60⁰ – 90⁰ triangle whose shorter leg is 5 inches long?
A. 3√3 cm B. 15 + 5√3 cm C. 15 + √3 cm D. 10 + 5 √3 cm

B. Given an isosceles right ∆ XYZ with right angle at Y and XY = 10.

6. Find YZ. ______
7. Find XZ. ______
8. What is the perimeter of ∆ XYZ? _____

C. Given a right ∆ SJD with right angle at D,

Then m∠S = 30, SJ =12,
9. Find DJ. ______
10. Find DS. ______
11. Perimeter of ∆ SJD.

D. In accompanying figure, ∠D is a right angle and BD ⊥ AC. Find the missing part.

12. If AB = 9 and BC = 4, find BD.

13. If AB = 12 and BC = 3, find DC.
14. If AC = 16 and AB = 4, find AD.
15. If AB = 20 and BD = 10, find BC.

IV. Suggested Enrichment/Reinforcement Activity/ies

Find the perimeter and area of each rhombus.

1. 2.

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References:
1. Learner’s Material for Mathematics Grade 9, pp. 388-390.
2. 2009 Basic Education Curriculum (Mathematics III Revised Edition:Geometry), pp.164-177.

Prepared by: Reviewed by:

MYRNA P. SOCO PAMELA A. RODEMIO

Master Teacher I EPS in Mathematics
Tayud National High School Division of Cebu Province

GUIDE

For the Teacher: Advise the students to read the reading and discussion portion before they attempt to answer
the practice exercises. Going through the parts sequentially will help them understand easily the topic.

For the Learner: Read through the self-learning home task from the first part to the last part. Doing so, will help
you understand better the topic.

For the Parent/Home Tutor: Assist your child and make sure that he/she reads the self-learning home task
from beginning to end to ensure proper understanding of the concepts.