500 ds

dunkin77 · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:00 pm Post subject: 500 ds

Hi,

Pls see the attached.

I thought the answer was C) but turned out to be B).

Can anyone pls explain? thanks!

jayhawk2001 · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:12 pm Post subject:

We have to use properties of similar triangles here. Draw lines
from B and C to the ground. Lets call these points D and E respectively
on the ground. BD and CE are parallel

We are given that AB = BC.

(2) says that BD = 5. We can use properties of similar triangles now.
BD / CE = AB / AC. We can hence compute CE

So B is the correct answer.

dunkin77 · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:50 am Post subject:

Thanks for explanation Jay.

I am still a bit confused cause we only know AB=AC and BD=5,
so, BD / CE = AB / AC (let's say AB=AC=3)

5 / CE = 3 / 3

5/CE=1

CE=5..........?? Crying or Very sad

I would appreciate it if you could explain a bit more... thanks again for your help!!

gabriel · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 11:01 am Post subject:

vk.neni · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 11:52 am Post subject:

Hi,
Couldn't we solve this using information in (i) x=30? With this info the small triangle (ABD) becomes a 30-60-90 and we know the length of one of the sides, so we can figure the other two sides. Once, we've this info, we can use the similar triangle method to solve it. So, the answer would be D.

myprepgmat · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 6:06 am Post subject: Re: 500 ds

Ans is B

I'll explain...

Let the height of point B is h and the point is H. Let the length of seesaw ie AC is 2d..

Now draw perpendicular lines to ground from point B and C. Let they intersect at ground at D ( from Point B) & E(point C).

Now we will get two similar triangles.. ie ABD and ACE..

we have BD/AB = CE/AC

ie h/d= H/2d given AB=BC we assumed AC=2d

i.e. h=H/2

given h=5ft

therefore H=10ft

case 1 doesnot give any unique value as the length of AC or height of the point B is not given.

gabriel · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 10:51 am Post subject: