A sculptor is planning to make two triangular prisms out of steel. The sculptor will use ΔLMN for the bases of one prism and ΔWXY for the bases of the other prism.
+9466 1. Yes, △LMN is similar to △WXY because 21/30 = 7/10 = 28/40 and the included angles are equal because they are both 90°, so by the SAS similarity theorem, the two triangles are similar.
2. The one with the larger base, which is the one with △WXY as the base, will have the greater volume.
volume of smaller prism = (area of base) * (height)
volume of smaller prism = (1/2 * 30 * 21) * (height)
volume of smaller prism = (315) * (height)
volume of smaller prism = 315h , where h is the height of the prism
volume of larger prism = (area of base) * (height)
volume of larger prism = (1/2 * 40 * 28) * (height)
volume of larger prism = (560) * (height)
volume of larger prism = 560h
The larger prism is how many times greater than the smaller prism? That is, 560h is how many times greater than 315h ?
560h/315h = 16/9 so... 560h = (16/9) * 315h
In other words, 560h is 16/9 times 315h , which means the volume of the larger larger prism is 16/9 times the volume of the smaller prism.
