16Hit1600
Geometry and TrigonometryHardCorresponding side from a perimeter ratio

Geometry and Trigonometry practice question

Two similar triangles have perimeters of 7 centimetres and 21 centimetres. The shortest side of the smaller triangle is 2 centimetres. What is the length, in centimetres, of the shortest side of the larger triangle?

Answer: 6

Perimeters of similar figures are in the same ratio as corresponding sides: 21/7 = 3, so 2 × 3 = 6.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 3
3 is the scale factor, not the side.
If you answered 16
16 adds the perimeter difference (14) to 2; similarity scales, it doesn't add.
If you answered 18
18 scales by 3² = 9, which is how AREAS scale, not sides.

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