7.3 Similar Right Triangles
Theorem:
If the altitude is drawn from the hypotenuse of a right triangle, then the two triangles formed are
similar to the original triangle and each other.
A
B
C
D
C
C
A
B
D
B
D
A
A
When solving problems involving similar right triangles, the best way to complete the problems is to
break the picture down into three triangles. When drawing the new triangles, be sure to draw all three
the same way and to label which pieces have been given to you.
Ex: Solve for x
A
x
B
D
8
C
12
C
C
A
B
D
A
D
B
A
Using Geometric Means to solve similar triangle problems:
A
B
D
C