Integrated Algebra / Geometry III

(7-1 Glencoe)
Geometric Mean

Objectives:
1. Simplify radicals.
2. Determine the geometric mean between two numbers.
3. Apply the relationship that exists when an altitude is drawn to the hypotenuse of a right triangle.

Here we will use prime factorization (factor tree) to simplify our radicals.

1) 128 2) 75 3) 5 84

Rationalizing denominators:

24 3 8 4 3
4) 5) 6)
7 5 12

a x
If = then x is the geometric mean between a and b.
x b

Solve each for x. (No decimal answers)

8 x 5 x 3 x
7) = 8) = 9) =
x 12 x 8 x 27

Find the geometric mean between the two given numbers. (No decimal answers!)
10) 5 and 11 11) 7 and 6 12) 10 and 5

Geometric Mean in Right Triangles:

a is the geometric mean between C1 and the whole side:

a b
h

b is the geometric mean between C2 and the whole side:

C1 C2

wh ole

h is the geometric mean between C1 and C2:

Examples: Find the value of x , y and z in each figure.

13) 14)
y z
x x
y
z

3 7 16 2