ISEE Upper Level Math : Geometry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Mathematics Achievement

Right_triangle

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale.

Refer to the above diagram.

\displaystyle DE = 6, EC = 12

Find the length of \displaystyle \overline{AB}.

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 8

\displaystyle 7\frac{1}{2}

\displaystyle 7\frac{3}{4}

\displaystyle 7

\displaystyle 7\frac{1}{4}

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 7\frac{1}{2}

Explanation:

First, find \displaystyle CB.

Since \displaystyle \overline{DE} is an altitude of \displaystyle \Delta CDB from its right angle to its hypotenuse, 

\displaystyle \Delta DEC \sim \Delta BED

\displaystyle \frac{BE}{DE}= \frac{ED}{EC}

\displaystyle \frac{BE}{6}= \frac{6}{12}

\displaystyle BE= \frac{6}{12} \cdot 6 = 3

\displaystyle CB =BE + EC = 3+ 12 = 15

\displaystyle \Delta DEC \sim \Delta ABC by the Angle-Angle Postulate, so 

\displaystyle \frac{AB}{DE} = \frac{CB}{CE}

\displaystyle \frac{AB}{6} = \frac{15}{12}

\displaystyle AB= \frac{15}{12} \cdot 6

\displaystyle AB = 7\frac{1}{2}

Example Question #1 : Right Triangles

Right_triangle

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale.

Refer to the above diagram. Evaluate \displaystyle x.

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 6\frac{3}{4}

\displaystyle 3\frac{3}{8}

\displaystyle 30\frac{3}{4}

\displaystyle 15\frac{3}{8}

\displaystyle 13

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 3\frac{3}{8}

Explanation:

By the Pythagorean Theorem,

\displaystyle x^{2}+ 15^{2} = (x+12)^{2}

\displaystyle x^{2}+ 225 = x^{2}+24x+144

\displaystyle 225 = 24x+144

\displaystyle 24x= 81

\displaystyle x= 3\frac{3}{8}

 

Example Question #3 : Triangles

A right triangle \displaystyle \Delta ABC with hypotenuse \displaystyle \overline{AC} is inscribed in \displaystyle \odot O, a circle with radius 26. If \displaystyle AB = 20, evaluate the length of \displaystyle \overline{BC}.

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 48

\displaystyle 52

\displaystyle 24

\displaystyle 26

Insufficient information is given to answer the question.

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 48

Explanation:

The arcs intercepted by a right angle are both semicircles, so hypotenuse \displaystyle \overline{AC} shares its endpoints with two semicircles. This makes \displaystyle \overline{AC} a diameter of the circle, and \displaystyle AC = 2r = 2 \cdot 26 = 52.

By the Pythagorean Theorem,

\displaystyle BC = \sqrt{(AC)^{2} - (AB)^{2}} = \sqrt{52^{2} -20^{2}} = \sqrt{2,704-400} = \sqrt{2,304} = 48

 

Example Question #1 : Right Triangles

\displaystyle \Delta ABC \sim \Delta DEF

\displaystyle \angle B is a right angle; \displaystyle DE = 21\displaystyle DF = 42.

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) \displaystyle m \angle A

(b) \displaystyle 60 ^{\circ }

Possible Answers:

(b) is greater.

(a) is greater.

It is impossible to tell from the information given.

(a) and (b) are equal.

Correct answer:

(a) and (b) are equal.

Explanation:

\displaystyle \Delta ABC \sim \Delta DEF. Corresponding angles of similar triangles are congruent, so since \displaystyle \angle B is a right angle, so is \displaystyle \angle E

The hypotenuse \displaystyle \overline{DF} of \displaystyle \Delta DEF is twice as long as leg \displaystyle \overline{DE}; by the \displaystyle 30 ^{\circ } - 60^{\circ } -90^{\circ } Theorem, \displaystyle m \angle D = 60 ^{\circ }. Again, by similiarity, 

\displaystyle m \angle A = m \angle D = 60 ^{\circ }.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Length Of The Hypotenuse Of A Right Triangle : Pythagorean Theorem

If a right triangle has a base of \displaystyle 7  and a height of \displaystyle 4, what is the length of the hypotenuse?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle \sqrt{11}

\displaystyle 65

\displaystyle \sqrt{14}

\displaystyle \sqrt{65}

\displaystyle 14

Correct answer:

\displaystyle \sqrt{65}

Explanation:

To solve this problem, we must utilize the Pythagorean Theorom, which states that:

\displaystyle a^{2}+b^{2}=c^{2}

We know that the base is \displaystyle 7, so we can substitute \displaystyle 7 in for \displaystyle a.  We also know that the height is \displaystyle 4, so we can substitute \displaystyle 4 in for \displaystyle b.


\displaystyle 7^{2}+4^{2}=c^{2}

Next we evaluate the exponents:

\displaystyle 7^{2}=49

\displaystyle 4^{2}=16

Now we add them together:

\displaystyle 49+16=65

Then, \displaystyle 65=c^{2}.

\displaystyle 65 is not a perfect square, so we simply write the square root as  \displaystyle \sqrt{65}.

\displaystyle c=\sqrt{65}

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Length Of The Hypotenuse Of A Right Triangle : Pythagorean Theorem

If a right triangle has a base of \displaystyle 3 and a height of \displaystyle 9, what is the length of the hypotenuse?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 90

\displaystyle \sqrt{90}

\displaystyle 12

\displaystyle 144

\displaystyle 10

Correct answer:

\displaystyle \sqrt{90}

Explanation:

To solve this problem, we are going to use the Pythagorean Theorom, which states that \displaystyle a^{2}+b^{2}=c^{2}.

We know that this particular right triangle has a base of \displaystyle 3, which can be substituted for \displaystyle a, and a height of \displaystyle 9, which can be substituted for \displaystyle b. If we rewrite the theorom using these numbers, we get:

\displaystyle 3^{2}+9^{2}=c^{2}

Next, we evaluate the expoenents:

\displaystyle 3^{2}=9

\displaystyle 9^{2}=81

\displaystyle 9+81=c^{2}

\displaystyle 9+81=90

Then, \displaystyle 90=c^{2}.

To solve for \displaystyle c, we must find the square root of \displaystyle 90. Since this is not a perfect square, our answer is simply \displaystyle c=\sqrt{90}.

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Length Of The Hypotenuse Of A Right Triangle : Pythagorean Theorem

What is the hypotenuse of a right triangle with sides 5 and 8?

Possible Answers:

undefined

\displaystyle 100

\displaystyle \sqrt{89}

\displaystyle 89

\displaystyle 10

Correct answer:

\displaystyle \sqrt{89}

Explanation:

According to the Pythagorean Theorem, the equation for the hypotenuse of a right triangle is \displaystyle a^{2} + b^{2}=c^{2}. Plugging in the sides, we get \displaystyle 5^{2}+8^{2}=c^{2}. Solving for \displaystyle c, we find that the hypotenuse is \displaystyle \sqrt{89}:

\displaystyle 25+64=c^2

\displaystyle 89=c^2

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Length Of The Hypotenuse Of A Right Triangle : Pythagorean Theorem

In a right triangle, two sides have length \displaystyle 2t. Give the length of the hypotenuse in terms of \displaystyle t.

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle \sqrt{2}t

\displaystyle 2t

\displaystyle \sqrt{3}t

\displaystyle 2\sqrt{3}t

\displaystyle 2\sqrt{2}t

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 2\sqrt{2}t

Explanation:

By the Pythagorean Theorem, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.

Let \displaystyle c= hypotenuse and \displaystyle s= side length.

\displaystyle c^2=s^2+s^2\Rightarrow c^2=(2t)^2+(2t)^2\Rightarrow c^2=8t^2\Rightarrow c=\sqrt{8t^2}=2\sqrt{2}t

Example Question #3 : How To Find The Length Of The Hypotenuse Of A Right Triangle : Pythagorean Theorem

In a right triangle, two sides have lengths 5 centimeters and 12 centimeters. Give the length of the hypotenuse.

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 14.5\ cm

\displaystyle 14\ cm

\displaystyle 13\ cm

\displaystyle 15\ cm

\displaystyle 13.5\ cm

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 13\ cm

Explanation:

This triangle has two angles of 45 and 90 degrees, so the third angle must measure 45 degrees; this is therefore an isosceles right triangle.

By the Pythagorean Theorem, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.

Let \displaystyle c= hypotenuse and \displaystyle a, \displaystyle b= lengths of the other two sides.

\displaystyle c^2=a^2+b^2\Rightarrow c^2=5^2+12^2\Rightarrow c^2=25+144=169

\displaystyle \Rightarrow c=\sqrt{169}\Rightarrow c=13\ cm

Example Question #1 : Apply The Pythagorean Theorem To Find The Distance Between Two Points In A Coordinate System: Ccss.Math.Content.8.G.B.8

In a rectangle, the width is 6 feet long and the length is 8 feet long. If a diagonal is drawn through the rectangle, from one corner to the other, how many feet long is that diagonal?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 5

\displaystyle 7

\displaystyle 10

\displaystyle 9

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 10

Explanation:

Given that a rectangle has all right angles, drawing a diagonal will create a right triangle the legs are each 6 feet and 8 feet. 

We know that in a 3-4-5 right triangle, when the legs are 3 feet and 4 feet, the hypotenuse will be 5 feet. 

Given that the legs of this triangle are twice as long as those in the 3-4-5 triangle, it follows that the hypotense will also be twice as long. 

Thus, the diagonal in through the rectangle creates a 6-8-10 triangle. 10 is therefore the length of the diagonal. 

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