Determine whether the following right triangles are similar.
Triangle \(A\) has leg lengths \(a_1=6\,\text{cm}\) and \(b_1=8\,\text{cm}\).
Triangle \(B\) has one leg of length \(a_2=12\,\text{cm}\) and a hypotenuse of length \(c_2=20\,\text{cm}\).
Justify your conclusion by finding the missing side lengths and comparing corresponding side-length ratios.
Hints
- Which missing side lengths are needed before all ratios can be compared?
- Use the Pythagorean theorem in each right triangle.
- How can side lengths show that one triangle is a scaled copy of another?
Solution
1. In triangle \(A\), the hypotenuse is \(c_1=\sqrt{6^2+8^2}=\sqrt{100}=10\,\text{cm}\).
2. In triangle \(B\), the missing leg is \(b_2=\sqrt{20^2-12^2}=\sqrt{256}=16\,\text{cm}\).
3. Compare corresponding sides: \(\frac{a_2}{a_1}=\frac{12}{6}=2\), \(\frac{b_2}{b_1}=\frac{16}{8}=2\), and \(\frac{c_2}{c_1}=\frac{20}{10}=2\).
4. All three corresponding side-length ratios are equal, so the triangles are similar by SSS similarity.
Answer
Yes. Triangle \(A\) has side lengths \(6\,\text{cm}\), \(8\,\text{cm}\), and \(10\,\text{cm}\), and triangle \(B\) has side lengths \(12\,\text{cm}\), \(16\,\text{cm}\), and \(20\,\text{cm}\). Every side of triangle \(B\) is twice the corresponding side of triangle \(A\).