QUESTION IMAGE
Question
in the figure, \\(\overline{cd}\\) is the altitude of right triangle \\(abc\\).
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 |
Brief Explanations
- For $\angle A \cong \angle A$ and $\angle B \cong \angle B$, this is the reflexive property of congruent angles (an angle is congruent to itself).
- $\angle ACB \cong \angle ADC \cong \angle CDB$ because all are right angles (given $\triangle ABC$ is right-angled at $C$, and $CD$ is an altitude, so these angles equal $90^\circ$).
- $\triangle ABC \sim \triangle ACD$ and $\triangle ABC \sim \triangle CBD$ follows from the AA (Angle-Angle) similarity criterion: we have two pairs of congruent angles for each triangle pair.
- $\frac{x}{b} = \frac{b}{c}$ and $\frac{y}{a} = \frac{a}{c}$ comes from the property of similar triangles: corresponding sides of similar triangles are proportional.
- $a^2 + b^2 = cx + cy$ is obtained by adding the two equations $b^2 = cx$ and $a^2 = cy$ together.
Snap & solve any problem in the app
Get step-by-step solutions on Sovi AI
Photo-based solutions with guided steps
Explore more problems and detailed explanations
| Statement | Reason |
|---|---|
| $\angle ACB \cong \angle ADC \cong \angle CDB$ | All are right angles |
| $\triangle ABC \sim \triangle ACD$ and $\triangle ABC \sim \triangle CBD$ | AA Similarity Criterion |
| $\frac{x}{b} = \frac{b}{c}$ and $\frac{y}{a} = \frac{a}{c}$ | Proportional sides of similar triangles |
| $b^2 = cx$ and $a^2 = cy$ | Multiplication |
| $a^2 + b^2 = cx + cy$ | Addition of equations |
| $a^2 + b^2 = c^2$ | Factoring and substitution |