ACE Answers | Investigation 5

Applications
1. 22 ft. Because 252 – 152 = 400, the tallest
tree that can be braced is ft, or 20 ft b. . The length of AC is 2 units.
tall at the point of attachment. Adding 2 ft Because triangle ABC is a 30–60–90
gives a total height of 22 ft. (Note: You can triangle, the length of BA, the
point out to students that this is a 3–4–5 hypotenuse, is twice the length of the
Pythagorean Triple with a scale factor of 5.) side opposite the 30° angle, which
2. a. Because 5002 + 6002 = 610,000, the is AC. Therefore, the length of BA is
length of the shortcut is ≈ 4 units. The corresponding ratio for the
other two triangles must be the same
781 m.
because the triangles are similar.
b. 1,100 – 781 ≈ 319 m
c. . In a 30–60–90 triangle,
3. a. Option 1: 5.5 inches × 11.8 inches
( ≈ 11.8.) the length of the side opposite the
60° angle is times the length of
b. Option 2: 5.1 inches × 12.3 inches the side opposite the 30° angle, which
( ≈ 12.3.) is AC. AC has length 2 units, so BC has
4. The two shorter sides of the kite frame length units. So,
are each approximately 22.4 inches and
the longer sides are each approximately The corresponding ratio for the
53.9 inches. So, the perimeter is other two triangles must be the same
approximately 152.6 inches. Ali is correct because the triangles are similar.
in saying they need 153 inches, which d. The corresponding
would give them less than one inch of
extra string. ratio for the other two triangles must
5. ≈ 105.5 ft. The leg along the bottom of be the same because the triangles are
the 30–60–90 triangle measures 58 ft. The similar.
hypotenuse (from Santos’s eyes to the top e. 16 units and units. In a 30–60–90
of the tower) is twice as long, or 116 ft. triangle, the length of the hypotenuse
Because 1162 – 582 = 10,092, the vertical is twice the length of the side opposite
leg measures ≈ 100.5 ft. Adding the 30° angle, which is AG. AG has
the distance from the ground to Santos’s length 8 units, so AF has length 16
eyes, the tower is about 105.5 ft tall. units. The length of the side opposite
the 60° angle is times the length of
6. a. ABC, ADE, and AFG are 30–60–90
the side opposite the 30° angle. So, GF
triangles. The measure of angle A,
which is in all three triangles, is 60°. has length units.
Angles ACB, AED, and AGF all have 7. a. Three. Triangles KLM, KNL, and LNM
measure 90°. You know that the sum of
the measures of the angles of a triangle b. or ≈ 28.39 meters. All
is 180°. So, the third angles of the triangles in the diagram are 30–60–90
three triangles—angles ABC, ADE, and triangles. The hypotenuse of triangle
AFG—must all have measure 30°. KLM is 12 m (twice the shorter leg that
Triangles ABC, ADE, and AFG are all is given). The longer leg is or
similar because if corresponding angles ≈ 10.39.
of a triangle have equal measure, then
the triangles are similar.

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 ACE Answers | Investigation 5

8. a. Corresponding angles have equal 10. a. Since the circle has center (0, 0)
measure, so the triangles are similar. and radius 10, the equation of the
b. Because the triangles are similar, you circle is (x – 0)2 + (y – 0)2 = 102 or
know that the side lengths of one x2 + y2 = 100.
triangle are multiplied by the same b. (8, 6) or (8, –6)
number, the scale factor, to get the
corresponding side lengths in the or
second triangle. The scale factor is
or
= 7.5. The side lengths of the smaller
(0, 10) or (0, –10)
triangle (which you found in Problem 5.2)
are 2 units, 1 unit, and units (or or
about 1.7 units). So, the side lengths of
(8, –6) or (–8, –6)
the larger triangle are 15 units, 7.5 units,
and (or about 13.0 units). (10, 0) or (–10, 0)
c. The larger triangle’s area is 7.52 (or or
56.25) times the smaller triangle’s area.
11. a. Yes. With the wireless router positioned
9. a. Since the circle has center (0, 0) at (0, 0), the tree house would be
and radius 13, the equation would ft (or 1,000 ft) away
be (x – 0)2 + (y – 0)2 = 132, or
x2 + y2 = 169. from the wireless router. Jada would be
in range to get an Internet connection
b. (0, 13) or (0, –13) from her tree house.
(5, 12) or (5, –12) b. x2 + y2 = 1,4002 or x2 + y2 = 1,960,000
or

or

or

or
(13, 0) or (–13, 0)
or

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 Answers | Investigation 5
ACE
Connections
12. a. i, ii, iii, iv, v, vi
15. After 2 h, the northbound car has
b. i, ii, iii, iv, v
traveled 80 mi. Use this distance as one
c. i, iii, iv, vi leg of a right triangle and the distance
apart (100 mi) as the hypotenuse.
d. i, iii, iv
Using the Pythagorean Theorem,
13. ≈ 4.8 cm. The diagonal of the large 1002 – 802 = 3,600, so the distance the
square is 6.8 cm (the sum of 4 segments of eastbound car has traveled must be
length 1.7 cm). Given that the sides of the = 60 mi. This distance was traveled
square are the same length:
in 2 h, so the eastbound car is traveling at
s2 + s2 = 6.82 30 mph. (Note: This is a 3–4–5 right triangle
2s2 = 46.24 with a scale factor of 20.
s2 = 23.12
s= ≈ 4.8
14. See Figure 1. The distance between
the cars increases by 78.1 mi each hour.
(Note: Students will probably calculate the
distance apart by adding the sum of the
squares and taking the square root of
that sum.)

Figure 1

Distances Traveled by Two Cars

Distance Traveled Distance Traveled Distance
Hours by Northland Car (mi) by Eastbound Car (mi) Between Cars (mi)
1 60 50 ≈ 78.1
2 120 100 ≈ 156.2
3 180 150 ≈ 234.3
4 240 200 ≈ 312.4
n 60n 50n 78.1n

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 ACE Answers | Investigation 5

16. a. They are congruent. 19. a. Yes.

b. 45°, 45°, and 90°. The diagonal divides
the corner angles into two angles of
equal measure, so the measures of the
smaller angles must each be half of
90°, or 45°. Some students may use a
protractor or angle ruler.
c. The legs of the right triangle each have
a length of 1 unit, and 12 + 12 = 2. So,
the diagonal—which is the hypotenuse
of a right triangle—has a length of
units.
d. The measures of the angles would still be
45°, 45°, and 90°. Because 52 + 52 = 50,
the length of the diagonal would be b. The length of a side of the larger
equilateral triangle is 3, so the height is
units. (Note: Some students
may notice that = = ≈ 2.60 inches.
or that this square is larger than the c. Yes. If Pat cuts each smaller equilateral
original by a scale factor of 5; thus, the triangle in half, then he can reposition
diagonal must be 5 times as long, or the halves to make a small rectangle
units.) with dimensions 0.75 inch by
17. a. All 45–45–90 triangles are similar to approximately 1.30 inches (or
each other. If corresponding angles of
inches to be exact). Since there are
a triangle have equal measure, then the
four of these newly transformed
triangles are similar.
rectangles, Pat can place them in a
b. The other leg must also be 5 units 1-by–4 arrangement (which, depending
long because 45–45–90 triangles on orientation, would produce a larger
are isosceles. Applying the rectangle with dimensions 0.75 inch by
Pythagorean Theorem, you get 5.20 inches or a larger rectangle with
(hypotenuse)2 = 52 + 52 = 50, dimensions 3 inches by 1.30 inches)
so the length of the or in a 2-by–2 arrangement (with
hypotenuse = = ≈ 7.07 units. dimensions 1.50 inches by 2.60 inches).
So, the perimeter is 20. –6 21. –28
5+5+ ≈ 17.07 units.
22. –105 23. –11
18. 1,012.4 m. The first segment along the 24. 114 25. –42
ground is the leg of an isosceles right
triangle. Because the other leg is 15 m 26. 69 27. –65
long, this leg also has a length of 15 m. 28. –240 29. –4
The same argument holds for the last
segment along the ground. Therefore, 30. 21 31. –21
the horizontal portion of the cable is 32. y = x+3
1,000 – (2 · 15) = 970 m long. Each
angled part of the cable is the hypotenuse 33. y = x+5
of an isosceles right triangle with legs of
length 15 units. Because 152 + 152 = 450, 34. y = 6x +
each angled piece has length ≈
35. y = 2x – 5
21.2 m. The overall length of the cable is
thus 970 + 21.2 + 21.2 ≈ 1,012.4 m. 36. y = –4x + 3
37. y = x+5

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 ACE Answers | Investigation 5

38. a. The side length of the larger square is d. ≈ 41.1 meters2. Given that the radius
or approximately 8.5 meters. The of the circle is 6 meters, the area of the
area of the larger square is 72 meters2. circle is 36π. From part (a), you know
The radius of the circle is 6 meters, that the area of the larger square is
so the radius of the square is also 72 meters2. So, the difference between
6 meters. If you draw two radii of the the two areas is 36π – 72 meters2, or
square, you get a 45–45–90 triangle with approximately 41.1 meters2.
leg lengths of 6 meters. Use either the 39. a. Given the center at (0, 0) and a radius
Pythagorean Theorem or ratio rules to of 6 units, the equation would be
find that the hypotenuse, which is also x2 + y2 = 36.
the side length of the larger square, is
meters. So, the area of the larger b. LS = units. Area of LSJK =
2
72 units . Similar reasoning as
square is ( )2 = 72 meters2.
Exercise 38, part (a).
b. 36 meters2. Given the answer in part c. PR = 6. Area of PRVT = 36 units2. Half
(a), half of the length of the side of the of the length of a side of LSJK, say LS,
larger square is also the length of a leg is also the length of a leg in a 45–45–90
in the smaller gray 45–45–90 triangle. triangle, say, triangle PSR. Use either
Use either the Pythagorean Theorem or the Pythagorean Theorem or ratio rules
ratio rules to find that the hypotenuse to find that the hypotenuse of triangle
of the gray triangle, which is also the PSR, which is also the side length of
side length of the smaller square, is PRVT, is 6 units. Squaring this value
6 meters. Squaring this value gives gives the area of PRVT to be 36 units2.
the area of the smaller square to be
36 meters2. d. P(–3, 3), R(3, 3). The length of PR
2
is 6, as found in part (c). Point P is a
c. 36 meters . Use your answers from reflection of point R over the y-axis, so
parts (a) and (b). Subtract the area the distance from the y-axis to either
of the smaller square, 36 meters2, point is 3. Similar reasoning to find the
from the area of the larger square, distance both points are above the
72 meters2. (Note: Students may x-axis.
notice that they can move the gray
45–45–90 triangles (the area between
the larger and smaller squares) inside of
the smaller square, so that the area of
the region between the two squares is
equal to the area of the smaller square.)

Extensions
40. a. ≈ 39.1 miles. The distance between
the store, and the library is 25 miles 41. a. (3.54, 3.54). If you draw a segment
and the distance from the library to the from point B to the x-axis, you get a
movie theater is 30 miles. The three 45–45–90 triangle with a hypotenuse
roads are the legs of a right triangle. of 5. Therefore, the length of each leg
Using the Pythagorean Theorem, the would be units, or approximately
distance from the store to the movie
theater is ≈ 39.1 miles. 3.54 units. So, the coordinates of
point B are (3.54, 3.54).
b. 0.71 hours. Using d = rt, with
d = 39.1 miles and r = 55 mph, b. 1. The rise is and the run is , so
t ≈ 0.71 hours, or about 42.7 minutes.
the ratio of rise to run is equal to 1.

5
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 ACE Answers | Investigation 5

42. a. 15 cm. One side of the equilateral c. W(4.24, 4.24), Z(–4.24, –4.24). The
triangle is the same as a side of the distance from the origin to point W
square paper. is 6 units, the radius of the circle. If
b. ≈ 13.0 cm. If you fold the equilateral you draw a segment from W to the
triangle in half, you get two 30–60–90 x-axis, you get a 45–45–90 triangle
triangles. The shorter leg of one of with side lengths of units, which
the triangles (the side opposite the
30 degree angle) is half of a side of is approximately equal to 4.24 units.
the equilateral triangle, or 7.5 cm. The So, W is located at approximately
height of the equilateral triangle would (4.24, 4.24). Similar reasoning for
be equal to the length of the longer leg point Z, but both values are negative
of the 30–60–90 triangle, which is because Z is in the third quadrant. Both
times longer than the shorter leg. So, points are on the circle because when
you substitute their x- and y-values into
the height is 7.5 ≈ 13.0 cm.
the equation of the circle, x2 + y2 = 36,
43. a. AB = 48 units, BD = 36 units. To find they satisfy the equation. (Note: If
BD, use triangle BCD as a 30–60–90 you use the rounded values for the
triangle. Given CD, multiply by to coordinates of W and Z, the value on
the left side of the equation will be
find that BD = 36. To find AB, add AD
close to, but not exactly equal to, 36.)
and BD, so 12 + 36 = 48.
b. 24 ≈ 41.57 units. It is twice the d. M(–4.24, 4.24), N(4.24, –4.24). Similar
reasoning as in part (c).
length of CD.
e. WMZN is a square. The lengths of each
c. Ky is using side AC as the base of the
side are approximately 8.48 units, so
triangle. So, the base is 24. The height all four sides are congruent. Sides MW
would then be the length of BC. and ZN are horizontal. (Their slopes are
d. Mario is using side AB as the base of zero.) MZ and WN are vertical. (Their
the triangle. So, the base is 48. The slopes are undefined.) So, any two
height would then be the length of CD. adjacent sides are perpendicular.
e. Jen is breaking up the larger triangle 45. a. (4, 6) and (–2, 6)
into two smaller triangles, finding (4 – 1)2 + (6 – 2)2 = 25
the area of each smaller triangle, and
combining those areas. 32 + 42 = 25
f. Yes. They are all using the area formula 9 + 16 = 25
for a triangle, but using different bases 25 = 25
and heights. Ky and Mario choose
different sides for the base, which, in (–2 – 1) + (6 – 2)2 = 25
2

turn, makes them use different heights. (–3)2 + 42 = 25

Jen’s way works because there is no
overlap and no gap between the two 9 + 16 = 25
smaller triangles. 25 = 25
44. a. P(–3, 3), R(3, 3), V(3, –3), T(–3, –3).
Each of these points is the midpoint of
the sides of the larger square.
b. y = x. The line has slope 1 and
y-intercept 0.

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 ACE Answers | Investigation 5

b. (5, 5) and (5, –1) f. (4, 6) and (4, –2)

(5 – 1)2 + (5 – 2)2 = 25 (4 – 1)2 + (6 – 2)2 = 25
42 + 32 = 25 32 + 42 = 25
16 + 9 = 25 9 + 16 = 25
25 = 25 25 = 25
(5 – 1) + (–1 – 2)2 = 25
2
(4 – 1) + (–2 – 2)2 = 25
2

2 2
4 + (–3) = 25 32 + (–4)2 = 25
16 + 9 = 25 9 + 16 = 25
25 = 25 25 = 25
c. (–3, 5) and (–3, –1) 46. a. Lengths of , , are
(–3 – 1)2 + (5 – 2)2 = 25 (x – 1), (y – 2), and 5, respectively.
(–4)2 + 32 = 25 b. The equation (x – 1)2 + (y – 2)2 = 25
16 + 9 = 25 shows how the side lengths are related.

25 = 25 c. If students choose B as a point in

another quadrant (not Quadrant I)
(–3 – 1)2 + (–1 – 2)2 = 25 they will meet the problem of how to
(–4)2 + (–3)2 = 25 calculate or name the length of each
side of the triangle. They may reason
16 + 9 = 25 from a specific example, say (–2, 6).
25 = 25 Then the horizontal distance on the
triangle is not “x – 1” but “1 – x”
d. (1, 7) and (1, –3)
or “|x – 1|” However, the equation
(1 – 1)2 + (7 – 2)2 = 25 involves “(x – 1)2” and so students
02 + 52 = 25 should notice that, for example,
(–2 – 1)2 = [1 – (–2)]2. So, yes, points
0 + 25 = 25 in other quadrants satisfy the equation.
25 = 25 d. (x – m)2 + (y – n)2 = r2
2 2
(1 – 1) + (–3 – 2) = 25
02 + (–5)2 = 25
0 + 25 = 25
25 = 25
e. (6, 2) and (–4, 2)
(6 – 1)2 + (2 – 2)2 = 25
52 + 02 = 25
25 + 0 = 25
25 = 25
(–4 – 1) + (2 – 2)2 = 25
2

(–5)2 + 02 = 25
25 + 0 = 25
25 = 25

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