Subject Code Mathematics 4

Module Code 7.0 Triangle Similarity

Lesson Code 7.5.2 Similarities in a Right Triangle Part 2
Time Limit 30 minutes

By the end of this lesson, the student will have been able to use geometric means in solving problems
involving right triangles.

In the first part of the lesson, we discussed how the altitude to the hypotenuse of a right triangle formed
three similar triangles including the original triangle. These similarities then form proportions that
express one segment as a geometric mean of two other segments. In this lesson, we will discuss how we
can use the concept of geometric means in solving problems involving right triangles.

Application of Altitude to Hypotenuse and Geometric Mean (Time allotment: 15 minutes )

Example 1
In Figure 1, CD is the altitude to the hypotenuse of 4ABC.

a
b

A m n B
D
c
Figure 1

a) Given m = 9, n = 16. Find h.

Solution.
From the Corollary to Right Triangle Similarity Theorem, we have
√ p
h = mn = 9(16) = 3(4) = 12

Therefore h = 12.

b) Given c = 25, n = 16. Find a.

Solution.
From the Corollary to Right Triangle Similarity Theorem, we have
√ p
a = nc = 16(25) = 4(5) = 20

Therefore a = 20.

Mathematics 4 Page 1 of 7
 √
c) Given h = 4 3, n = 4. Find c.

Solution.
We first solve for m. We have,

√
h= mn
h2 = mn
h2
m=
n
Substituting the given values, we have
√
h2 (4 3)2 16(3)
m= = = = 12
n 4 4
Now,

c = m + n = 12 + 4 = 16

Therefore c = 16.
√
d) Given b = 5 21, m = 21. Find n.

Solution.
We first solve for c. We have,

√
b= mc
b2 = mc
b2
c=
m
Substituting the given values, we have
√
b2 (5 21)2 25(21)
c= = = = 25
m 21 21
Now,

n = c − m = 25 − 21 = 4

Therefore n = 4.

Mathematics 4 Page 2 of 7
Example 2
In Figure 2, CD is the altitude to the hypotenuse of 4ABC and DE is the altitude to the hypotenuse of
4CBD.

C
s
a
b E
h
r

A t B
m D n
c
Figure 2

(a) Given t = 12, s = 9. Find a.

Solution.
We first solve for r. We have,

√
t= rs
t 2 = rs
t2
r=
s
Substituting the given values, we have
t 2 122 122
r= = = 2 = 42 = 16
s 9 3
Now,

a = r + s = 16 + 9 = 25

Therefore a = 25.

(b) Given h = 8, s = 4. Find n.

Solution.
We first solve for a. We have,

√
h= sa
h2 = sa
h2
a=
s

Mathematics 4 Page 3 of 7
 Substituting the given values, we have
h2 82 82
a= = = 2 = 42 = 16
s 4 2
Now, using Pythagorean theorem, we have
p
n = a2 − h2
p
= 162 − 82
p
= (16 − 8)(16 + 8)
p
= (8)(24)
p
= (8)(8)(3)
√
=8 3
√
Therefore n = 8 3.

Let us now check your understanding of the concepts discussed by answering the following exercises.

Practice Exercises (Time allotment: 12 minutes)

Even-numbered items are graded. Odd-numbered items have answers at the end of the lesson.
In Figure 3, CD is the altitude to the hypotenuse of 4ABC and DE is the altitude to the hypotenuse of
4ACD. Figure is not drawn to scale.

b
s

a
h
E
t
r

A m n B
D
c
Figure 3

1. Given n = 1, c = 4. Find b.
2. Given b = 16,
√ r = 4. Find t.
3. Given h = 6 10, n = 9. Find c.
4. Given r = 4, m = 8. Find s.

Mathematics 4 Page 4 of 7
Lesson Summary (Time allotment: 3 minutes)

Corollary to Right Triangle Similarity Theorem. Given 4ABC, with CD as the altitude to the hypotenuse
AB. (Refer to Figure 4 below)

a
b

m n
A B
D
c
Figure 4

1. The altitude is the geometric mean of the segments into which it separates the hypotenuse.
√
That is, h = mn.
2. Each leg is the geometric mean of the hypotenuse and the segment of the hypotenuse adjacent to
√ √
this leg. That is, a = nc and b = mc.

References

Albarico, J.M. (2013). THINK Framework. Based on Ramos, E.G. and Apolinario, N. (n.d.). Science
LINKS. Quezon City: Rex Bookstore Inc.
Moise, E. E., & Downs, F. L., Jr. (1991). Geometry. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.

Prepared by: Rey Giovanni L. Villamora Reviewed by: Mary Gay Antonette G. Magpantay
Position: Special Science Teacher IV Position: Special Science Teacher III
Campus: PSHS-CVisC Campus: PSHS-MC

c 2020 Philippine Science High School System. All rights reserved. This document may contain proprietary
information and may only be released to third parties with approval of management. Document is uncontrolled
unless otherwise marked; uncontrolled documents are not subject to update notification.

Mathematics 4 Page 5 of 7
Enrichment Exercises (Optional)

In Figure 5, CD is the altitude to the hypotenuse of 4ABC and DE is the altitude to the hypotenuse of
4ACD. (Figure is not drawn to scale)

b
s

a
h
E
t
r

A m n B
D
c
Figure 5

1. Given r = 9, s = 55. Find h.

2. Given m = 84, n = 16. Find b.
3. Given s = 9, h = 15. Find n.
4. Given n = 16, h = 12. Find r.

Mathematics 4 Page 6 of 7
Answer Key

Practice Exercises
√
1. 2 3

3. 49

Enrichment Exercises (Optional)

√
1. 8 55
45
3. or 11.25
4

Mathematics 4 Page 7 of 7