QUESTION IMAGE
Question
how can similarity be used to prove the pythagorean theorem? move the reasons to the table to complete the proof.
| statement | reason |
|---|---|
| $\angle acb \cong \angle adc \cong \angle cdb$ | |
| $\triangle abc \sim \triangle acd$ and $\triangle abc \sim \triangle cbd$ | |
| $\frac{x}{b} = \frac{b}{c}$ and $\frac{y}{a} = \frac{a}{c}$ | |
| $b^2 = cx$ and $a^2 = cy$ | multiplication |
| $a^2 + b^2 = cx + cy$ | |
| $a^2 + b^2 = c^2$ | factoring and substitution |
addition property of equality angle - angle similarity side - side - side similarity transitive property
right angles are congruent. similar triangles have proportional sides.
Step1: Match right angles congruence
$\angle ACB \cong \angle ADC \cong \angle CDB$: All are right angles, so this uses Right angles are congruent.
Step2: Match AA similarity
$\triangle ABC \sim \triangle ACD$ and $\triangle ABC \sim \triangle CBD$: Uses two pairs of congruent angles, so Angle-Angle Similarity.
Step3: Match proportional sides
$\frac{x}{b} = \frac{b}{c}$ and $\frac{y}{a} = \frac{a}{c}$: From similar triangles, sides are proportional, so Similar triangles have proportional sides.
Step4: Match addition property
$a^2 + b^2 = cx + cy$: Adding the two prior equations, so Addition Property of Equality.
Step5: Match factoring/substitution
$a^2 + b^2 = c^2$: Factor $cx+cy=c(x+y)$, and $x+y=c$, so Factoring and substitution (given).
Completed table (matching each statement to reason):
| Statement | Reason |
|---|---|
| $\angle ACB \cong \angle ADC \cong \angle CDB$ | Right angles are congruent. |
| $\triangle ABC \sim \triangle ACD$ and $\triangle ABC \sim \triangle CBD$ | Angle-Angle Similarity |
| $\frac{x}{b} = \frac{b}{c}$ and $\frac{y}{a} = \frac{a}{c}$ | Similar triangles have proportional sides. |
| $b^2 = cx$ and $a^2 = cy$ | Multiplication |
| $a^2 + b^2 = cx + cy$ | Addition Property of Equality |
| $a^2 + b^2 = c^2$ | Factoring and substitution |
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The completed proof matches reasons to statements as follows:
- $\angle ACB \cong \angle ADC \cong \angle CDB$ → Right angles are congruent.
- $\triangle ABC \sim \triangle ACD$ and $\triangle ABC \sim \triangle CBD$ → Angle-Angle Similarity
- $\frac{x}{b} = \frac{b}{c}$ and $\frac{y}{a} = \frac{a}{c}$ → Similar triangles have proportional sides.
- $a^2 + b^2 = cx + cy$ → Addition Property of Equality
- $a^2 + b^2 = c^2$ → Factoring and substitution (provided)