1. Altitudes
Recall that an altitude is a segment drawn from a vertex that is perpendicular to the opposite of a triangle. Every triangle has three altitudes.

2. Altitudes
In a right triangle, two of these altitudes are the two legs of the triangle. The other one is drawn perpendicular to the hypotenuse.
Altitudes:

3. Altitudes
Notice that this third altitude creates three right triangles. Is there something special about those triangles?
Altitudes:

4. 7.3 Use Similar Right Triangles
Objectives:
To find the geometric mean of two numbers
To find missing lengths in similar right triangles involving the altitude to the hypotenuse

5. Right Triangle Similarity Theorem
If the altitude is drawn to the hypotenuse of a right triangle, then the two triangles formed are similar to the original triangle and to each other.

6. Example 1
Identify the similar triangles in the diagram.

7. Example 2
Find the value of x.

8. Geometric Mean
The geometric mean of two positive numbers a and b is the positive number x that satisfies This is just the square root of their product!

9. Example 3
Find the geometric mean of 12 and 27.

10. Example 4
Find the value of x.

11. Example 5
The altitude to the hypotenuse divides the hypotenuse into two segments. What is the relationship between the altitude and these two segments?

12. Geometric Mean Theorem I
Geometric Mean (Altitude) Theorem In a right triangle, the altitude from the right angle to the hypotenuse divides the hypotenuse into two segments. The length of the altitude is the geometric mean of the lengths of the two segments.

13. Geometric Mean Theorem I
Heartbeat
Geometric Mean (Altitude) Theorem In a right triangle, the altitude from the right angle to the hypotenuse divides the hypotenuse into two segments. The length of the altitude is the geometric mean of the lengths of the two segments. x x a b

14. Example 6
Find the value of w.

15. Example 7
Find the value of x.

16. Geometric Mean Theorem II
Geometric Mean (Leg) Theorem The length of each leg of the right triangle is the geometric mean of the lengths of the hypotenuse and the segment of the hypotenuse that is adjacent to the leg.

17. Geometric Mean Theorem II
Boomerang
Geometric Mean (Leg) Theorem The length of each leg of the right triangle is the geometric mean of the lengths of the hypotenuse and the segment of the hypotenuse that is adjacent to the leg. a a x c

18. Geometric Mean Theorem II
Boomerang
Geometric Mean (Leg) Theorem The length of each leg of the right triangle is the geometric mean of the lengths of the hypotenuse and the segment of the hypotenuse that is adjacent to the leg. b b y c

19. Example 8
Find the value of b.

20. Example 9
Find the value of variable.
w =
k =