Tips for Success

Some test questions ask you to compare geometric figures. Read the sample question below. Then follow the tips to answer it.

1. D E = 3 , D F = 4 , E F = 4 d e equals 3 comma . d f equals 4 comma . e f equals 4
2. D E = 3 , D F = 4 , E F = 5 d e equals 3 comma . d f equals 4 comma . e f equals 5
3. D E = 4 , D F = 3 , E F = 5 d e equals 4 comma . d f equals 3 comma . e f equals 5
4. D E = 4 , D F = 5 , E F = 5 d e equals 4 comma . d f equals 5 comma . e f equals 5

Think It Through

Vertices A and B have the same y-coordinate and vertices A and C have the same x-coordinate, so A B = | − 2 − 2 | = | − 4 | = 4 eh b equals , vertical line negative 2 minus 2 vertical line equals vertical line negative 4 vertical line , equals 4  and A C = | 5 − 2 | = | 3 | = 3 . eh c equals , vertical line 5 minus 2 vertical line equals vertical line 3 vertical line , equals 3 .

By the Distance Formula, B C = ( 4 ) 2 + ( 3 ) 2 = 25 = 5 . b c equals . square root of open 4 close squared . plus . open 3 close squared end root . equals square root of 25 equals 5 .  So D E = A B = 4 , D F = A C = 3 , d e equals . eh b equals 4 comma . d f equals . eh c equals 3 comma  and E F = B C = 5 . e f equals . b c equals 5 .  The correct answer is C.