Similar Triangle Problems

We present several problems on similar triangles with detailed solutions.



Problem 1:In the triangle ABC shown below, A'C' is parallel to AC. Find the length y of BC' and the length x of A'A

Solution to Problem 1:
BA is a transversal that intersects the two parallel lines A'C' and AC, hence the corresponding angles BA'C' and BAC are congruent. BC is also a transversal to the two parallel lines A'C' and AC and therefore angles BC'A' and BCA are congruent. These two triangles have two congruent angles are therefore similar and the lengths of their sides are proportional. Let us separate the two triangles as shown below.


We now use the proportionality of the lengths of the side to write equations that help in solving for x and y.

(30 + x) / 30 = 22 / 14 = (y + 15) / y
An equation in x may be written as follows.

(30 + x) / 30 = 22 / 14
Solve the above for x.

420 + 14 x = 660 x = 17.1 (rounded to one decimal place).
An equation in y may be written as follows.

22 / 14 = (y + 15) / y
Solve the above for y to obtain.

y = 26.25

Problem 2:

A research team wishes to determine the altitude of a mountain as follows: They use a light source at L, mounted on a structure of height 2 meters, to shine a beam of light through the top of a pole P' through the top of the mountain M'. The height of the pole is 20 meters. The distance between the altitude of the mountain and the pole is 1000 meters. The distance between the pole and the laser is 10 meters. We assume that the light source mount, the pole and the altitude of the mountain are in the same plane. Find the altitude h of the mountain.

Solution to Problem 2:
We first draw a horizontal line LM. PP' and MM' are vertical to the ground and therefore parallel to each other. Since PP' and MM' are parallel, the triangles LPP' and LMM' are similar. Hence the proportionality of the sides gives: 1010 / 10 = (h - 2) / 18
Solve for h to obtain h = 1820 meters.

Problem 3:

The two triangles are similar and the ratio of the lengths of their sides is equal to k: AB / A'B' = BC / B'C' = CA / C'A' = k. Find the ratio BH / B'H' of the lengths of the altitudes of the two triangles.






Solution to Problem 3:
If the two triangles are similar, their corresponding angles are congruent. Hence angle BAH and B'A'H are congruent. We now examine the triangles BAH and B'A'H'. These triangles have two pairs of corresponding congruent angles: BAH and B'A'H' and the right triangles BHA and B'H'A'. The triangles are similar and therefore: AB / A'B' = BH / B'H' = k