Two similar triangles have a scale factor of 3:5. The altitude of the larger triangle is 24 inches. What is the altitude of the smaller triangle?

Answer: The altitude of the smaller triangle is 14.4 inches

Step-by-step explanation:

Two similar triangles have a scale factor of 3:5. This can also be expressed as 3/5

The altitude of the larger triangle is 24 inches. The difference in altitude or other lengths of the two similar triangles is linear. To determine the altitude of the smaller triangle, let us assign x to the altitude of the smaller triangle. It means that 3:5 = x : 24. Therefore

3/5 = x/24

Cross multiplying, it becomes

5x = 3*24 = 72

x = 72/5 = 14.4