Question

A patio is designed using two types of tiles. The tiles are similar isosceles triangles. The lengths of the sides of the larger triangle are 6 inches, 6 inches, and 4 inches. Which one of these could be the side measurements of the smaller triangle?

Answer 1

Ommited Answer Choices:

A. 4 inches, 4 inches, 4 inches

B. 3 inches, 3 inches, 3 inches

C. 3 inches, 3 inches, 2 inches

D. 2 inches, 2 inches, 3 inches

Answer:

C. 3 inches, 3 inches, 2 inches

Explanation:

The ratio of the corresponding lengths of two similar polygons will always be equal.

Thus, the ratio of the smaller sides of both similar isosceles ∆ should equal the ratio of the other sides.

Thus, from the options given, the side measurements that could be that of the smaller triangle are: 3 inches, 3 inches, 2 inches.

This is because: ratio of one of the equal side of the larger triangle to one of the equal side of the smaller triangle equal ratio of the shortest side of the bigger triangle to the shortest side of the smaller triangle.

Thus: 6/3 = 4/2 = 2.