Question the-2-

4.1 Lines, Angles, and Triangles - Angle relationships (parallel lines)
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  • The 2 triangles intersect at vertex upper Q.
  • The measure of angle upper X upper W upper Q is a/li>
  • The measure of angle upper Z upper Y upper Q is a/li>
  • A note indies the figure is not drawn to scale.

In the figure shown, WZ¯ and XY¯ intersect at point Q YQ=63WQ=70WX=60, and XQ=120. What is the length of YZ¯?

Enter your answer:

The 2 triangles intersect at vertex upper Q. The measure of angle upper X upper W

Hard-difficulty · SAT Math · Lines, Angles, and Triangles — Angle relationships (parallel lines). Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 54 . The figure shown includes two triangles, triangle WQX and triangle YQZ, such that angle WQX and angle YQZ are vertical angles. It follows that angle WQX is congruent to angle YQZ. It’s also given in the figure that the measures of angle W and angle Y are a°. Therefore angle W is congruent to angle Y . Since triangle WQX and triangle YQZ have two pairs of congruent angles, triangle WQX is similar to triangle YQZ by the angle-angle similarity postulate, where YZ¯ corresponds to WX¯, and YQ¯ corresponds to WQ¯. Since the lengths of corresponding sides in similar triangles are proportional, it follows that YZWX=YQWQ. It’s given that YQ=63, WQ=70, and WX=60. Substituting 63 for YQ, 70 for WQ, and 60 for WX in the equation YZWX=YQWQ yields YZ60=6370. Multiplying each side of this equation by 60 yields YZ=637060, or YZ=54. Therefore, the length of YZ¯ is 54 .