I don't follow, what do you mean by "We draw a parallel line to BC." and what is Y & Z?
If necessary I can do a drawing, anyone helping please ask if you wish me to draw a similar triangle for this explantion.
We start with an equilatral triangle and label the vertices top A, bottom left B and bottom right C.
We draw a parallel line to BC.
A to Y 2 units, Y to B 1 unit.
I should think that A to Z will also be 2 units and Z to C 1 unit.
I am asked to find the lengths of the parallels lines using ratios, however the following idea has too many unknowns I think and am wondering if another method is available?
(AY) / (YB) = (YZ) / (BC) = (2) / (1) = (x) / (x)
The problem here is that I can't solve the problem with more than one uknown?
Any ideas please
My last maths course teacher was a PHD.
One of my questions on that course was similar to this question here posted. The PHD gave a question about similar triangles and asked for the length of a side and the information given was a parallel side 5cm and an angle 65 degrees.
I worked out the other parrallel length which was 10cm, then I said tan 65 (10) = 21.4cm, which was the side length AB on that example.
The PHD said it was wrong and gave 0 out of 4 marks, then on the next example which was exactly the same the question asked for me to identify mistakes a student had made, I did and got 6 out of 6 marks, the PHD then wrote out the full solution and it was a mirror image of my last example?
How could that be wrong first and second time same thing its OK?
We all can and do make mistakes, even with over 13000 posts.
Now before you get your back up, please remember that I am learning from first hand basics, and I am saying to you that I don't understand how you got BC = 3 when I am getting something different?
I am not saying you are wrong although it might seem that way, but as previously said I am somewhat confused because I don't understand?
I am advised that the length of BC = 3 from previous, however I have struggled with the basics as you all point out, but I ask again is the information given correct?
(AY) / (AB) = (2) / (1) = 2/1
If I now use the product rule by BC = 3, then YZ = 6????
The parallel line YZ in the triangle above cannot ever be longer than the parrallel line BC?
Like I said I don't fully understand and you are the experts, but to me YZ = 3 and BC = 6
If you now believe that I am wrong, then please show the working out to justify your solution.