Opal has already proved that △ADF∼△ABC

. They are now attempting to prove that DF=12BC
and DF¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯∥BC¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
. Critique their reasoning. Which option should fill in the blank?

PROOF: Because corresponding sides of similar triangles are proportional, ________________. Multiply both sides of the equation by segment BC
to show that DF=12BC
. Because corresponding angles of similar triangles are congruent, ∠ADF≅∠ABC
. If corresponding angles are congruent, then lines are parallel, so DF¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯∥BC¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
.

(1 point)
Responses

AD=DB
upper A upper D equals upper D upper B

DFBC=12
Start Fraction upper D upper F over upper B upper C End Fraction equals Start Fraction 1 over 2 End Fraction

BCDF=2
Start Fraction upper B upper C over upper D upper F End Fraction equals 2

DF=BC
upper D upper F equals upper B upper C

1 answer

To critique Opal's reasoning and determine which option best fits in the blank, let's clarify the connections made in their proof.

  1. Understanding Similar Triangles: Since triangles \( \triangle ADF \sim \triangle ABC \), we know that the ratios of their corresponding sides are proportional. Thus, we can write that:

\[ \frac{AD}{AB} = \frac{DF}{BC} = \frac{AF}{AC} \]

  1. Finding the Correct Relationship: If Opal is trying to prove that \( DF = \frac{1}{2} BC \), and they mention corresponding sides, then we would need to express the relationship between \( DF \) and \( BC \) correctly in the blank.

The ratio given should be comparable and demonstrate that \( DF \) is half of \( BC \). The statement that would correctly fill in the blank is:

"DF/BC = 1/2". (This represents that \( DF \) is half of \( BC \).)

Thus, the correct response from the provided options is:

DFBC=12
Start Fraction upper D upper F over upper B upper C End Fraction equals Start Fraction 1 over 2 End Fraction

This statement accurately reflects the proportional relationship that leads to the conclusion \( DF = \frac{1}{2} BC \).

Regarding the parallel lines conclusion, since corresponding angles \( \angle ADF \) and \( \angle ABC \) are congruent (as stated), the corresponding sides being in a specific ratio leads to \( DF \parallel BC \) by the converse of the Alternate Interior Angles Theorem.

Opal's reasoning effectively concludes with both the length proportionality and the parallelism correctly stated after filling the appropriate relationship in the blank.