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How to Use Similar Figures & Proportions

If you've ever tried to solve for the missing side of a triangle, you know that additional information can be very useful. A similar triangle can be used to solve for the missing side of its corresponding triangle because the sides of the two triangles are proportionate. Simple arithmetic must be used to solve for the variable because one of the triangles is always larger than the other. By using cross multiplication, you can solve for the missing side of a similar triangle.

Instructions

    • 1

      Look at the two triangles and identify the variable you need to solve for.

    • 2

      Place the variable over one of the other sides of the triangle as if it were a fraction. Take the two corresponding numbers from the similar triangle and do the same thing. Make sure that both fractions match and both are taken from the same place on both of the triangles. Set the two fractions to equal each other as in "3/4 = X/4."

    • 3

      Cross multiply. Multiply the top of one of the fractions with the bottom of the other. Do this for both fractions. As an example using the previous equation you would arrive at "4X = 12."

    • 4

      Simplify your answer. Using the previous example, you will divide by 4. You would arrive at "X = 3" as your solution.

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