If AYB ~ XYZ and AB= 5, AY= 12 AY= AX, and BY=BZ, then what is the length of BZ? Enter your response as a mixed fraction if needed?

1 answer

Given that triangles \( AYB \sim XYZ \), we can use the properties of similar triangles to find the lengths of corresponding sides.

We know:

  • \( AB = 5 \)
  • \( AY = 12 \)
  • \( AY = AX \)
  • \( BY = BZ \)

Since \( AYB \sim XYZ \), the corresponding sides of the triangles are proportional. We can set up the proportion based on the corresponding sides:

\[ \frac{AB}{XZ} = \frac{AY}{XY} \]

We're not given the length of \( XZ \) or \( XY \), but knowing that \( AY = AX = 12 \) allows us to express other sides in terms of these lengths.

We need to express \( BY \) and \( BZ \).

Using the triangle similarity, we know that:

\[ \frac{BY}{AY} = \frac{BZ}{AY} \]

Given that \( BY = BZ \), we have:

\[ BY = BZ \]

Now to find the length of \( BZ \): \[ \frac{BY}{12} = \frac{5}{XZ} \]

Since \( BZ = BY \), we substitute and get:

\[ BZ = BY \]

Now, to clarify the relationship further, if \( XZ \) corresponds to \( AB \) (which equals 5), we look for \( ZY \) corresponding to \( AY \):

Setting a ratio for similarity, we find \( ZY \):

Let’s say \( BZ = k \):

  • Then, the proportion using the corresponding sides can be written as: \[ \frac{k}{12} = \frac{5}{AY} \]

Where \( AY \) corresponds directly to \( AB \):

Resolving for \( BZ \): Given \( BY = BZ = k\),

Assuming all other ratios are consistent, let's delegate ourselves to solve this final step. If triangles were fully expanded, let's resolve this ratio clearly:

Using the ratios from those side lengths. We can assert:

\[ k = \frac{5 \cdot 12}{k} \leftrightarrow k^2 = 60 \]

Taking the square root :

  1. Find \( 5x = 12 , \Rightarrow x = \frac{12}{5} \).

Thus inserting that as \( k \):

Hence:

\[ k = \frac{60}{12} = 5, \]

So \( BZ = 5 \) units.

As an answer in integer and mixed format, the final output concludes at:

\[ \text{The length of } BZ \text{ is } 5. \]

However, clear correlation holds at \( BZ = 5 \) final.

\[ \boxed{5} \]