GMAT Prep Geometry Problem - Congruent Triangles

[JDSchmidt8723]

[img]C:\HySnapDX\GMAT%20#12.bmp[/img]

Please let me know if this image does not come through. The question reads as follows:

In the figures above, if the area of the triangle on the right is twice the area of the triangle on the left, then in terms of s,S=

Explanation of image: There are two triangles both with the same angles (x,y,z). The triangle on the left is the smaller triangle, and the triangle on the right is the larger triangle. The smaller triangle has side s corresponding to angle y, and the larger triangle has side S corresponding to angle y.

The answer to the question: sqrt(2)*s

I may be overthinking this problem, but I'm struggling to figure out how they arrive at this answer. Please advise if possible.

Thanks,

Jon

[nitin_prakash_khanna]

Jon.
The figure didnt come through.

Anyways from you explanation the two Triangles are similar triangles.
So Ratio of Their area = Square of ratio of their sides (property of similar traingles)

Area of Bigger / Area of Smaller = (S/s)^2
Also The ratio of their area is given to be 2.

and hence (S/s)^2 = 2
S = sqrt 2 * s

-nk.

[RonPurewal]

look here:
post19973.html

to the original poster: you have to post a web address. normally these start with "http".
an address starting with "c:" is on your own hard drive, not on the internet.