# Parallel Lines and Transversals

## Three or more parallel lines cut by two transversals divide them proportionally.

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Parallel Lines and Transversals

### Triangle Proportionality Theorem

The Triangle Proportionality Theorem states that if a line parallel to one side of a triangle intersects the other two sides, then it divides those sides proportionally. We can extend this theorem to a situation outside of triangles where we have multiple parallel lines cut by transverals.

Theorem: If two or more parallel lines are cut by two transversals, then they divide the transversals proportionally.

If , then or .

Note that this theorem works for any number of parallel lines with any number of transversals. When this happens, all corresponding segments of the transversals are proportional.

What if you were looking at a map that showed four parallel streets (A, B, C, and D) cut by two avenues, or transversals, (1 and 2)? How could you determine the distance you would have to travel down Avenue 2 to reach Street C from Street B given the distance down Avenue 1 from Street A to Street B, the distance down Avenue 1 from Street B to C, and the distance down Avenue 2 from Street A to B?

### Examples

#### Example 1

Find and .

Line up the segments that are opposite each other.

#### Example 2

Below is a street map of part of Washington DC. Street, Street, and Street are parallel and 7 Street is perpendicular to all three. All the measurements are given on the map. What are and ?

To find and , you need to set up a proportion using the parallel lines.

From this, and .

#### Example 3

Find .

The three lines are marked parallel, so to solve, set up a proportion.

#### Example 4

Find .

To solve, set up a proportion.

#### Example 5

Find the value of that makes the lines parallel.

To solve, set up a proportion and solve for .

### Review

Find the value of each variable in the pictures below.

The street map shows part of New Orleans. Burgundy St., Dauphine St. and Royal St. are parallel to each other. If Spain St. is perpendicular to all three, find the indicated distances.

1. What is the distance between points and ?
2. What is the distance between points and ?
3. What is the distance between points and ?

Using the diagram, answer the questions.

1. What is the value of ?
2. What is the value of ?
3. What is the value of ?
4. What is the length of ?
5. What is the length of ?

Using the diagram, fill in the blank.

1. If is one-third , then is ____________________.
2. If is two times , then is ____________________.

To see the Review answers, open this PDF file and look for section 7.9.

### Notes/Highlights Having trouble? Report an issue.

Color Highlighted Text Notes

### Vocabulary Language: English

TermDefinition
Coordinate Plane The coordinate plane is a grid formed by a horizontal number line and a vertical number line that cross at the (0, 0) point, called the origin. The coordinate plane is also called a Cartesian Plane.
Perpendicular Perpendicular lines are lines that intersect at a $90^{\circ}$ angle. The product of the slopes of two perpendicular lines is -1.
Proportion A proportion is an equation that shows two equivalent ratios.
Quadrilateral A quadrilateral is a closed figure with four sides and four vertices.
transversal A transversal is a line that intersects two other lines.
Triangle Proportionality Theorem The Triangle Proportionality Theorem states that if a line is parallel to one side of a triangle and it intersects the other two sides, then it divides those sides proportionally.