Similarities in Right Triangles

• Find the geometric mean between two numbers.

• Solve problems involving relationships between part
of a right triangle and the altitude to its hypotenuse.

• geometric mean
 Geometric Mean
• If x is the Geometric Mean of a and b, then:
a x
 x  ab
2
x  ab
x b
• Find the Geometric Mean of 5 and 20.
5 x
 x  100
2
x  100  10
x 20
 Geometric Mean
B. Find the geometric mean between 25 and 7.
Definition of geometric mean

Cross products
Take the positive square root of each side.

Simplify.
A. Find the geometric mean of 3 and 12.

A. 3.9

B. 6

A. A
C. 7.5 0% 0%
B. 0% B 0%
C. C
A B C D

D. D

D. 4.5
 C Theorem: If the altitude is
drawn from the vertex of the
right angle of a right triangle to
its hypotenuse, then the two
triangles formed are similar to
A D the given triangle and to each
other.
C C

A D B D B
CBD ~ ABC
ACD ~ ABC
CBD ~ ACD
Special Update!!!!!! Unpacking the triangles
(without having the think too hard.)

A B
2. Sketch
1.two-”mini-me’s”
Sketch the
large triangle
of the original.
first, copying
the vertices.
Special Update!!!!!! Unpacking the triangles
(without having the think too hard.)

A B Point D will
D 2. Sketch
go on top of
two-”mini-me’s”
the min-me’s
of the original.

D
Special Update!!!!!! Unpacking the triangles
(without having the think too hard.)

A B
D

A C
D Now
study the
pattern!
C B
 K

J M
L

J K
L

K M
 S

Q R
T

Q S
T

S R
• In a right triangle, the altitude from the
right angle to the hypotenuse divides the
hypotenuse into two segments.
 Theorem
• The length of the altitude is the geometric
mean of the lengths of the two segments.

AD CD

CD DB
 Altitude and Segments of the Hypotenuse
In Δ ABC, BD = 6 and AD = 27. Find CD.
6
27
x
Find EG.

1. A
0%
2. B
3. C
4. D

A B C D
 Theorem 8.3
• The length of each leg of the right triangle
is the geometric mean of the lengths of the
hypotenuse and the segment of the
hypotenuse that is adjacent to the leg.
AB CB

CB DB
AB AC

AC AD
 Hypotenuse and Segment of Hypotenuse

Find c and d in ΔJKL.

= 20
 Hypotenuse and Segment of Hypotenuse

Find c and d in ΔJKL. JL KJ


KJ JM

= 20

25
Find e and f

A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D
 2

x 5
y

6 3

6 = x 5+2 = y
x 3 y 2
18 = x2 7 = y
√18 = x y 2
√9 ∙ √2 = x 14 = y2

3 √2 = x √14 = y
 x

6 3

5
2
Practice Exercises

6 3
Practice Exercises

6 3
Special Right Triangles

45°-45°-90° Triangles
• Find the missing side
6

45° a = 4√2 cm
6√2
 Hints for 45-45-90
• Leg to Hypotenuse: MULTIPLY by 2

• Hypotenuse to Leg: DIVIDE by 2

Hypotenuse = LEG 2
LEG

LEG
3
8

45
°
21
14
• Find the missing sides
4
60° 10
5
8√3
30°
3
5√3
 Hints for 30-60-90
• Shorter Leg to Hypotenuse: MULTIPLY by 2

• Hypotenuse to Shorter Leg: DIVIDE by 2

• Shorter Leg to Longer Leg: MULTIPLY by 3

• Longer Leg to Shorter Leg: DIVIDE by 3

60
°

30
°
8
6

60
°
4√2