McGraw Hill Integrated II, 2012
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McGraw Hill Integrated II, 2012 View details
5. Angles of Elevation and Depression
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Exercise 39 Page 669

Use the Triangle Proportionality Theorem and look for alternate angles and corresponding angles.

Statements
Reasons
1.
CD bisects ∠ ACB and AE∥ CD by construction
1.
Given
2.
AD/DB = EC/BC
2.
Triangle Proportionality Theorem
3.
∠ 1 ≅ ∠ 3
3.
Alternate Interior Angles Theorem
4.
∠ 2 ≅ ∠ E
4.
Corresponding Angles Postulate
5.
∠ 1 ≅ ∠ 2
5.
Definition of angle bisector
6.
∠ 3 ≅ ∠ E
6.
Transitive Property of Congruence
7.
EC ≅ AC
7.
Converse Isosceles Triangle Theorem
8.
EC = AC
8.
Definition of congruent segments
9.
AD/DB = AC/BC
9.
Substitution
Practice makes perfect

Let's begin by marking the parallel segments in the given diagram.

By the Triangle Proportionality Theorem, we obtain the relation below.

AD/DB = EC/BC By applying the Alternate Interior Angles Theorem and the Corresponding Angles Postulate, we have that ∠ 1 ≅ ∠ 3 and ∠ 2 ≅ ∠ E respectively.

Additionally, ∠ 1 ≅ ∠ 2 by definition of angle bisector. Consequently, we have that ∠ 3 ≅ ∠ E. Thus, by the Converse Isosceles Triangle Theorem, we get that EC ≅ AC.

By definition of congruent segments, we have that EC = AC. Finally, let's substitute it into the initial equation. AD/DB = AC/BC

Two-Column Proof Table

Let's summarize the proof we just did in the following table.

Statements
Reasons
1.
CD bisects ∠ ACB and AE∥ CD by construction
1.
Given
2.
AD/DB = EC/BC
2.
Triangle Proportionality Theorem
3.
∠ 1 ≅ ∠ 3
3.
Alternate Interior Angles Theorem
4.
∠ 2 ≅ ∠ E
4.
Corresponding Angles Postulate
5.
∠ 1 ≅ ∠ 2
5.
Definition of angle bisector
6.
∠ 3 ≅ ∠ E
6.
Transitive Property of Congruence
7.
EC ≅ AC
7.
Converse Isosceles Triangle Theorem
8.
EC = AC
8.
Definition of congruent segments
9.
AD/DB = AC/BC
9.
Substitution

Alternative Solution

Alternative Solution

We begin by highlighting the congruent angles in the given diagram.

Since CD is the bisector of ∠ ACB, we can apply the Triangle Angle Bisector (Theorem 7.11) and get the required relation directly. AD/DB = AC/BC