use proportions to find the missing side length (x) in the two similar figures
To use proportions to find the missing side length (x) in two similar figures, follow these steps:
1. Identify the two similar figures that have a corresponding side length as a given value and the side length as x.
2. Set up a proportion using the given value and the corresponding side length for both figures. The proportion should have the form:
(Given Value for Figure 1) / (Corresponding Side Length for Figure 1) = (Given Value for Figure 2) / (Corresponding Side Length for Figure 2)
This proportion represents the relationship between the corresponding side lengths in the two similar figures.
3. Plug in the known values in the proportion and solve for x.
For example, let's say you have two similar rectangles. The length of the first rectangle is 6 cm, the length of the second rectangle is 10 cm, and the width of the first rectangle is 3 cm. Using proportions, we can find the width (x) of the second rectangle.
Set up the proportion:
6 cm / 3 cm = 10 cm / x
Cross-multiply and solve for x:
6x = 3 * 10
6x = 30
x = 30 / 6
x = 5 cm
Therefore, the missing side length (x) in the second rectangle is 5 cm.