All about Ratios


(1) By similar triangles $${OB\over BC}= {3\over 1}{\rm so} {OB\over OC}={3\over 4}.$$ Again by similar triangles, $${OA\over OC}= {2\over 3} {\rm so} {OA\over AC}={2\over 5}.$$

The ratio $${AB\over OC} = {OB - OA\over OC} = {3\over 4} - {2\over 5} = {7\over 20}.$$

(2) By similar triangles $${OB\over BC}= {3\over 1}{\rm so} {OB\over OC}={3\over 4}.$$ Again by similar triangles, $${OA\over OX}= {4\over 3}$$ where $X$ is the midpoint of $OC$ so $${OA\over OC}={4\over 14}.$$

The ratio $${AB\over OC} = {OB - OA\over OC} = {3\over 4} - {2\over 7} = {13\over 28}.$$

(3) This is exactly the same as (1) By similar triangles $${OB\over BC}= {3\over 1} {\rm so} {OB\over OC}={3\over 4}.$$ Again by similar triangles, $${OA\over OC}= {2\over 3} {\rm so} {OA\over AC}={2\over 5}.$$

The ratio $${AB\over OC} = {OB - OA\over OC} = {3\over 4} - {2\over 5} = {7\over 20}.$$

Alternatively:
(1) $AB = {7\over 20}\sqrt{10}$, $OC = \sqrt{10}$.

(2) $AB ={13 \sqrt 13\over 28}$, $OC = \sqrt 13$.

(3) $AB ={7\sqrt 13\over 20}$, $OC = \sqrt 13$.