Question

What is the similarity ratio of a prism with surface area 36 ft^2 to a similar prism with surface area 225 ft^2?

Answer 1

@dlearner

Answer 2

oops :P . no idea mate :)

Answer 3

lol its all good, thanks anyway :)

Answer 4

I think the formula is
A1 / A2 = (l1 / l2)^2 where A1 and A2 are the areas and l1 / l2 is the similarity ratio

Answer 5

how would i work that out exactly.. @TURITW

Answer 6

hint:

if the ratio of two sides of two figures is a/b, then the ratio of the two surface areas is (a/b)^2

Answer 7

Since you know the areas, substitute into the formula and solve for l1 / l2

Answer 8

Then, present your answer in the form of a ratio a : b.

Answer 9

im not sure thats why i need your help...

Answer 10

think of a/b as one variable, call it z if you want

Answer 11

okay...

Answer 12

your goal is to solve

A1/A2 = z^2

for z

Answer 13

A1 and A2 are the two surface areas

Answer 14

woah i keep getting really big numbers

Answer 15

don't square it, take the square root of both sides

Answer 16

oooh ok

Answer 17

ex:

x^2 = 25

x = sqrt(5) or x = -sqrt(5)

x = 5 or x = -5

notice how we used the square root to undo the squaring to isolate x

Answer 18

2:5 ?

Answer 19

good

Answer 20

you got it

Answer 21

thanks for helping out!

Answer 22

np