Step by step
The question
Question: D E is parallel to B C, with AD = 2, DB = 4, AE = 3: find EC.
1 Use the parallel line
D E is parallel to B C: the arrows show it.
So triangle A D E has the same angles as A B C: they are similar.
A parallel line cuts the two sides in the same ratio: A D to D B is the same as A E to E C.
2 Write the proportion
So: AD over DB equals AE over EC.
Careful!
Keep the same order on both sides: the matching parts on top, the matching parts at the bottom.
Put the numbers in.
We call EC x: 2/4 = 3 over x.
3 Cross multiply
When two fractions are equal, we can cross multiply.
These two are equal.
Work out the multiplications.
4 Remove the 2
2x means 2 times x.
We want just x.
To remove times 2, we divide by 2.
We do it on both sides.
Why both sides?
The = sign means both sides are the same amount.
If we change only one side, they are not the same any more.
2 divided by 2 is 1.
So just x is left.
12 divided by 2 is 6.
So x = 6!
5 Check
Let's check: put 6 in place of x.
First the left side.
Now the right side.
Both sides are 1/2.
So x = 6 is right!
So EC = 6.
Let's look back.
First: use the parallel line.
Then: write the proportion.
Then: cross multiply.
Then: remove the 2.
Last: check.