9.1 Similar Right Triangles

9.
1 Similar Right Triangles

Geometry
CCSS: G.SRT. 6
CCSS: G.SRT.6:
 UNDERSTNAD that by similarity, side ratios
in right triangles are properties of the angles
in the triangle, LEADING to definitions of
trigonometric ratios for acute angles.
Standards for Mathematical
Practice
 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning
of others.
 4. Model with mathematics.
 5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
 6. Attend to precision.
 7. Look for and make use of structure.
 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
E.Q:
 How do we solve problems involving
similar right triangles and geometric
mean?
 Vocabulary:
Altitude, indirect measurements
Key Learning
 Solve problems involving similar right
triangles formed by the altitude drawn to the
hypotenuse of a right triangle.
 Use a geometric mean to solve problems such
as estimating a climbing distance.
Proportions in right triangles
 In Lesson 8.4, you learned
that two triangles are S
similar if two of their

corresponding angles are
congruent. For example P
∆PQR ~ ∆STU. Recall U T
that the corresponding side

lengths of similar triangles
are in proportion.
R Q
Activity: Investigating similar right
triangles. Do in pairs or threes
1. Cut an index card along one of
its diagonals.
2. On one of the right triangles,
draw an altitude from the right
angle to the hypotenuse. Cut
along the altitude to form two
right triangles.
3. You should now have three
right triangles. Compare the
triangles. What special
property do they share?
Explain.
4. Tape your group’s triangles to
a piece of paper.
What did you discover?
 In the activity, you may have discovered the
next theorem. A plan for proving the theorem
appears on page 528. You are asked to prove
the theorem in Exercise 34 on page 533.
Theorem 9.1
 If the altitude is drawn
C
to the hypotenuse of a
right triangle, then the
two triangles formed
are similar to the
original triangle and to
each other. A D B
∆CBD ~ ∆ABC, ∆ACD ~ ∆ABC, ∆CBD ~ ∆ACD

A plan for proving thm. 9.1 is shown
below:
 Given: ∆ABC is a right triangle; altitude CD is drawn to
hypotenuse AB.
 Prove: ∆CBD ~ ∆ABC, ∆ACD ~ ∆ABC, ∆CBD ~ ∆ACD
 Plan for proof: First prove that ∆CBD ~ ∆ABC. Each
triangle has a right angle and each includes B. The
triangles are similar by the AA Similarity Postulate. You can
use similar reasoning to show that ∆ACD ~ ∆ABC. To show
that ∆CBD ~ ∆ACD, begin by showing that ACD  B
because they are both complementary to DCB. Then you
can use the AA Similarity Postulate. C
A D B
Ex. 1: Finding the Height of a Roof
 Roof Height. A roof has a
cross section that is a right
angle. The diagram shows
the approximate
dimensions of this cross
section.
 A. Identify the similar
triangles.
 B. Find the height h of the
roof.
Solution:
 You may find it helpful to Y
sketch the three similar 3.1 m Z

triangles so that the h
corresponding angles and X W

sides have the same 6.3 m
orientation. Mark the Z 5.5 m
congruent angles. Notice
that some sides appear in
more than one triangle. 5.5 m
For instance XY is the X Y
hypotenuse in ∆XYW and 3.1 m
the shorter leg in ∆XZY. W
Y h
∆XYW ~ ∆YZW ~ ∆XZY.
Solution for b.
 Use the fact that ∆XYW ~ ∆XZY to write a
proportion.
YW = XY Corresponding side lengths are in
ZY XZ proportion.
h 3.1
= Substitute values.
5.5 6.3
6.3h = 5.5(3.1) Cross Product property

h ≈ 2.7 Solve for unknown h.
The height of the roof is about 2.7 meters.

Using a geometric mean to solve
problems
 In right ∆ABC, altitude C
CD is drawn to the
hypotenuse, forming A
D B
two smaller right B C
triangles that are
similar to ∆ABC From C D
B
Theorem 9.1, you A D
know that ∆CBD ~

∆ACD ~ ∆ABC.
A C
Write this down!
C
Notice that CD is the longer leg

of ∆CBD and the shorter leg of
A
D B ∆ACD. When you write a
B C proportion comparing the legs
lengths of ∆CBD and ∆ACD,
C D
you can see that CD is the
A D B geometric mean of BD and AD.
Shorter leg of ∆CBD. Longer leg of ∆CBD.
BD = CD
CD AD
A C Shorter leg of ∆ACD Longer leg of ∆ACD.
Copy this down!
C
Sides CB and AC also appear in

more than one triangle. Their
A
D B side lengths are also geometric
B C means, as shown by the
proportions below:
C D
D
B
A Hypotenuse of ∆ABC. Shorter leg of ∆ABC.
BD CD
=
CD AD
Hypotenuse of ∆CBD Shorter leg of ∆CBD.
A C
Copy this down!
C
Sides CB and AC also appear in

more than one triangle. Their
A
D B side lengths are also geometric
B C means, as shown by the
proportions below:
C D
D
B
A Hypotenuse of ∆ABC. Longer leg of ∆ABC.
BD CD
=
CD AD
Hypotenuse of ∆ACD Longer leg of ∆ACD.
A C
Geometric Mean Theorems C
 Theorem 9.2: In a right triangle, the

altitude from the right angle to the
hypotenuse divides the hypotenuse into
A
two segments. The length of the D B
altitude is the geometric mean of the BD CD
lengths of the two segments =
CD AD
 Theorem 9.3: In a right triangle, the
altitude from the right angle to the AB CB
hypotenuse divides the hypotenuse into =
two segments. The length of each leg CB DB
of the right triangle is the geometric
mean of the lengths of the hypotenuse AB = AC
and the segment of the hypotenuse that AC AD
is adjacent to the leg.
What does that mean?
2
x y 5
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
Ex. 3: Using Indirect Measurement.
 MONORAIL TRACK. To
estimate the height of a
monorail track, your friend
holds a cardboard square at
eye level. Your friend lines
up the top edge of the square
with the track and the bottom
edge with the ground. You
measure the distance from the
ground to your friend’s eye
and the distance from your
friend to the track.
In the diagram, XY = h – 5.75 is the difference between the track
height h and your friend’s eye level. Use Theorem 9.2 to write a
proportion involving XY. Then you can solve for h.

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9.

1 Similar Right Triangles

similar if two of their

that the corresponding side

∆CBD ~ ∆ABC, ∆ACD ~ ∆ABC, ∆CBD ~ ∆ACD

sketch the three similar 3.1 m Z

corresponding angles and X W

6.3h = 5.5(3.1) Cross Product property

The height of the roof is about 2.7 meters.

know that ∆CBD ~

Notice that CD is the longer leg

Shorter leg of ∆CBD. Longer leg of ∆CBD.

Sides CB and AC also appear in

Sides CB and AC also appear in

 Theorem 9.2: In a right triangle, the

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