Jarvis needs to determine the distance across a lake. However, he can't measure this distance directly over the water. So, he set up a situation where he could use the measurements of two similar triangles to find the distance across the lake.

He selects a point X such that XZ is perpendicular to VZ, where V is a point at the other end of the lake. He then picks a point Y on XZ. From point Y, he finds point W on XV such that WY is parallel to VZ.

If XY = 1,794 feet, WY = 897 feet, and XZ = 5,382 feet, what is the length of VZ, the distance across the lake?

Question

Jarvis needs to determine the distance across a lake. However, he can't measure this distance directly over the water. So, he set up a situation where he could use the measurements of two similar triangles to find the distance across the lake.

He selects a point X such that XZ is perpendicular to VZ, where V is a point at the other end of the lake. He then picks a point Y on XZ. From point Y, he finds point W on XV such that WY is parallel to VZ.

If XY = 1,794 feet, WY = 897 feet, and XZ = 5,382 feet, what is the length of VZ, the distance across the lake?

anonymous · Answer

Answer choices: 3,588 feet 
                        299 feet
                        224 feet
                        2,691 feet