A triangle has sides of lengths 4.2, 5.7, and 7.2 inches. The smallest side of a similar triangle is 1.4 inches. What are the lengths of the other two sides?
The smaller side length is___ inches and the larger side length is___ inches
To find the lengths of the other two sides of a similar triangle, we can use proportions.
Let's set up a proportion comparing the lengths of the corresponding sides of the two triangles.
(1.4 inches / x) = (4.2 inches / 7.2 inches)
Cross multiplying, we have:
1.4 inches * 7.2 inches = 4.2 inches * x
10.08 inches^2 = 4.2 inches * x
Dividing both sides by 4.2 inches:
x = 10.08 inches^2 / 4.2 inches
x = 2.4 inches
Therefore, the smaller side length is 1.4 inches and the larger side length is 2.4 inches.