Stage 17 · Similarity & Dilation

17.7.3 Measuring a Distance You Can't Reach

17.7 Similarity in Action: Measuring Heights and Distances

Point 3 of 4

17.7.3 Measuring a Distance You Can't Reach

Core idea

You can't cross to the far bank, so build a smaller triangle on your side that's similar to it and scale back up to the true width.

Module goal. We use similar triangles to reach heights and distances we can't touch, bringing this stage down to the real world and training the skill of turning a real scene into a similar-figure model.
eastmath.com · 17.7 Similarity in Action: Measuring Heights and Distances · 17.7.3 Measuring a Distance You Can't Reach