If ΔABC is similar to ΔDEF , and BC= 36, EF= 3, and DE= 6, what is the measure of AB ?

1 answer

Since triangles ΔABC and ΔDEF are similar, the ratios of the lengths of corresponding sides are equal. We can set up a proportion using the sides BC and EF, and we want to find the measure of AB.

Given:

  • \( BC = 36 \)
  • \( EF = 3 \)
  • \( DE = 6 \)

First, we can find the ratio of the sides BC and EF:

\[ \frac{BC}{EF} = \frac{36}{3} = 12 \]

This means that the corresponding sides also have a ratio of 12:1. Now, we can use this ratio to find the measure of AB corresponding to DE.

Since \( DE \) corresponds to \( AB \):

\[ \frac{AB}{DE} = \frac{AB}{6} = 12 \]

Now, we can solve for \( AB \):

\[ AB = 12 \times DE = 12 \times 6 = 72 \]

Thus, the measure of \( AB \) is \( 72 \).