Question

A rectangle has sides of 6 and 13. In a similar rectangle, the longer side is 39 and the shorter side is x. Write a proportion that models the situation described. Then, solve the proportion for x.

Answer 1

x = 18

Explanation:

To write a proportion, we need to write down the data we have.

Shorter side of rectangle 1 = 6

Longer side of rectangle 1 = 13

Shorter side of rectangle 2 = x

Longer side of rectangle 2 = 39.

A proportion representing this would be:
`(6)/(13) = (x)/(39)`

Solving this proportion for x, we would have:

`(6)/(13) =(x)/(39)\\x=(6(39))/(13) \\x= (234)/(13) \\ x=18`

Therefore, the shorter side of the second rectangle is 18.