Exercise 17 Page 556

Let's begin with recalling the definition of similar polygons. Two polygons are similar if and only if their corresponding angles are congruent and corresponding side lengths are proportional. Since we can assume that both flat panel computer screens are rectangles, they have congruent corresponding angles as all of them are right angles. Therefore, we need to create a proportion to check if their corresponding sides are proportional. Let's check if the ratio of longer dimensions is equal to the ratio of shorter dimensions. 13 14/14 12? =10 34/12 Let's write fractions as decimals and use a calculator to evaluate these quotients. Remember that we are asked to round to the nearest tenth. 13.25/14.5? =10.75/12 0.9137...? =0.8958... 0.9=0.9 Since we got a true statement, corresponding sides are proportional. This means that the 17-inch flat panel computer screen and the 19-inch flat panel computer screen are similar.