An isosceles triangle has a base of 20 cm and legs measuring 36 cm. How long are the legs of a similar triangle with base measuring 50 cm?

1 Answer
Jul 2, 2018

#90# centimeters

Explanation:

Because both triangles are similar, we have:

#b_1/l_1=b_2/l_2#

where:

  • #b_1,b_2# are the bases of the first and second triangle, respectively

  • #l_1,l_2# are the legs of the first and second triangle, respectively

So, we get:

#(20 \ "cm")/(36 \ "cm")=(50 \ "cm")/l_2#

#l_2=(36color(red)cancelcolor(black)"cm")/(20color(red)cancelcolor(black)"cm")*50 \ "cm"#

#=1.8*50 \ "cm"#

#=90 \ "cm"#