# Math Help - Intercept theorem in triangles

1. ## Intercept theorem in triangles

Its straight line geometry time and I've reached another point that I cannot seem to get my head round (though I am sure it will be something obvious).

The Question

Triangles PQR and XYZ are such that:

1. Angle P = Angle X
2. Angle Q = Angle Z
3. XY = 3cm
4. YZ = 4cm
5. PQ = 7cm
6. PR = 12cm

I need to find the lengths of XZ and QR.

So I have a large PQR triangle drawn on my page with a line ZY which is parallel to QR, the symbols for angles are put in there to indicate that the two triangles are similar and that PQR is an enlargement of XYZ.

So to find XZ I knew the ratios of the intercepts would be the same so:

PZ:QR = PY:PR

so PZ:7 = 3:12 (or 1:4)

so PZ = (7*3)/12 (or 7/4)

The problem

How do I go about working out QR?

2. Draw triangle XYZ on PQR.
P coincides X, Z lies on PQ and Y lies on PR.
Since angle Z = angle Q and angle Y =angle R, ZY is parallel to QR
The two triangles a similar. So
XY/PR = XY/PQ = ZY/QR.
Now find the required sides.

3. Hello, Alice!

You've done all the preliminary work.
. . The answers are waiting for you . . .

Triangles $PQR$ and $XYZ$ are such that:

. . $\begin{array}{ccc}\angle P &=& \angle X \\
\angle Q &=& \angle Z \\ XY &=& 3\text{cm} \\ YZ &=& 4\text{cm}\\ PQ &=& 7\text{cm} \\ PR &=& 12\text{cm} \end{array}$

Find the lengths of $XZ$ and $QR$.

Did you make a sketch like this?

Code:
              P
*
*  *
*     *
*        *                     X
7 *           * 12                *
*              *                *  *
*                 *             *     * 3
*                    *          *        *
Q *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * R   Z *  *  *  *  * Y
4

The two triangles are similar; their sides are proportional.

Since $PR = 12$ and $XY = 3$,

. . we see that $\Delta PQR$ is four times as large as $\Delta XYZ$

Then: . $QR \:=\:4\cdot YZ \quad\Rightarrow\quad QR \:=\:4(4) \quad\Rightarrow\quad QR\:=\:16$

And: . $PQ \:=\:4\cdot XZ \quad\Rightarrow\quad 7 \:=\:4\cdot XZ \quad\Rightarrow\quad XZ \:=\:\tfrac{7}{4}$

4. My thanks to both of you, it makes a lot more sense now =)

5. ## try to continue

Originally Posted by AliceFisher
Its straight line geometry time and I've reached another point that I cannot seem to get my head round (though I am sure it will be something obvious).

The Question

Triangles PQR and XYZ are such that:

1. Angle P = Angle X
2. Angle Q = Angle Z
3. XY = 3cm
4. YZ = 4cm
5. PQ = 7cm
6. PR = 12cm

I need to find the lengths of XZ and QR.

So I have a large PQR triangle drawn on my page with a line ZY which is parallel to QR, the symbols for angles are put in there to indicate that the two triangles are similar and that PQR is an enlargement of XYZ.

So to find XZ I knew the ratios of the intercepts would be the same so:

PZ:QR = PY:PR

so PZ:7 = 3:12 (or 1:4)

so PZ = (7*3)/12 (or 7/4)

The problem

How do I go about working out QR?

6. So pretty