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# Parallel Lines and Transversals

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

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Parallel Lines and Transversals

What if you were given the street map, below, of Washington DC and told to find the missing street lengths? Street, Street, and Street are parallel and Street is perpendicular to all three. and are one “city block” (usually mile or 1320 feet) apart. The other given measurements are on the map. What are and ? After completing this Concept, you'll be able to solve problems like this one.

### Guidance

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

#### Example A

Find .

The three lines are marked parallel, so you can set up a proportion.

#### Example B

Find .

To solve, set up a proportion.

#### Example C

Find the value of that makes the lines parallel.

To solve, set up a proportion and solve for .

Watch this video for help with the Examples above.

#### Concept Problem Revisited

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

From this, and .

To find and , use the Pythagorean Theorem.

### Vocabulary

Pairs of numbers are proportional if they are in the same ratio. Two lines are parallel if they have the same slope and thus never intersect. A transversal is a line intersecting a system of lines.

### Guided Practice

Find and .

Look at the corresponding segments. Only the segment marked “2” is opposite a number, all the other segments are opposite variables. That means we will be using this ratio, 2:3 in all of our proportions.

There are several ratios you can use to solve this example. To solve for , you could have used the proportion , which will still give you the same answer.

### Practice

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 ____________________.
3. This is a map of lake front properties. Find and , the length of the edge of Lot 1 and Lot 2 that is adjacent to the lake.

### Vocabulary Language: English

Coordinate Plane

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

Perpendicular lines are lines that intersect at a $90^{\circ}$ angle. The product of the slopes of two perpendicular lines is -1.
Proportion

Proportion

A proportion is an equation that shows two equivalent ratios.

A quadrilateral is a closed figure with four sides and four vertices.
transversal

transversal

A transversal is a line that intersects two other lines.
Triangle Proportionality Theorem

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.

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