Verify that dilations scale line segments by the dilation scale factor.
Use a dilation scale factor to find a missing side in similar figures
Problem
Use similarity and dilation to find the missing side: \(\text{scale}~\text{factor}~3\), \(\text{original}~\text{side}~7\)
Big Picture
What this problem is really about
A missing corresponding side follows the same common scale factor as the rest of similar figures. We’ll confirm which value is the original and which position is the image, apply the factor in that direction, compute the missing length multiplicatively, and check that image divided by original returns the stated factor.
Inside Gozunta
Turn the preview into practice.
More than a preview
Gozunta lets you study this problem—and more than 10,000 others.
Create targeted learning sessions, use hints, check your answer, read the walkthrough, watch the video, print the work, and track your progress.
