8.3. Inscribed Similar Triangles http://www.ck12.org
Now we can set up a proportion.
shorter leg in 4 EDG
shorter leg in 4 DF G
=
hypotenuse in 4 EDG
hypotenuse in 4 DF G
6
x
=
10
8
48 = 10 x
4. 8 =x
Example C
Find the geometric mean of 24 and 36.
x=
√
24 · 36 =
√
12 · 2 · 12 · 3 = 12
√
6
Example D
Find the value ofx.
Using similar triangles, we have the proportion
shortest leg of smallest 4
shortest leg of middle 4
=
longer leg of smallest 4
longer leg of middle 4
9
x
=
x
27
x^2 = 243
x=
√
243 = 9
√
3
Watch this video for help with the Examples above.