I understand the relations w.r.t. to the ratios of the two triangles, but in every example I've came across, one of the side lengths of the smaller triangle is given. With my question, no lengths are given.

I've tried to use cerva's theorem to find some workaround ratio, but i haven't been successfull...any aid is appreciated...
thanks,

Ian Barkley

When u draw arbitrarily a line cutting hypotenuse & another side //l to third side, it is impossible to find the sides of the smaller triangle. Until & otherwise u give the position of that arbitrary //l line from the big triangles parallel side, its not possible to find the sides of smaller triangle.

Dnana

>I've been comtempating this question for about a week, and I
>was wondering if anyone had an answer to it.I have a right
>triange ABC, with known side lengths and angles. now I
>arbitrarily draw a line through the hypotenuse and one of
>the sides, parallel to the other side. In a sense, I have a
>smaller triangle w/in a larger. my question is, how can i
>find the side lengths of the smaller triangle?
>
>I understand the relations w.r.t. to the ratios of the two
>triangles, but in every example I've came across, one of the
>side lengths of the smaller triangle is given. With my
>question, no lengths are given.
>
>I've tried to use cerva's theorem to find some workaround
>ratio, but i haven't been successfull...any aid is
>appreciated...
>thanks,
>
>Ian Barkley