1. **State the problem:** We have two similar triangles sharing vertex S. We know side lengths 45, 15, and 16, and we need to find the missing side length $UV$ in the smaller triangle.
2. **Use the property of similar triangles:** Corresponding sides of similar triangles are proportional. This means:
$$\frac{UV}{16} = \frac{15}{45}$$
3. **Set up the proportion:**
$$\frac{UV}{16} = \frac{15}{45}$$
4. **Simplify the right side:**
$$\frac{15}{45} = \frac{\cancel{15}}{\cancel{45}} = \frac{1}{3}$$
5. **Rewrite the equation:**
$$\frac{UV}{16} = \frac{1}{3}$$
6. **Solve for $UV$ by cross-multiplying:**
$$3 \times UV = 16 \times 1$$
7. **Simplify:**
$$3UV = 16$$
8. **Divide both sides by 3:**
$$\cancel{3}UV = \frac{16}{\cancel{3}}$$
9. **Final answer:**
$$UV = \frac{16}{3} \approx 5.33$$
So, the missing side length $UV$ is $\frac{16}{3}$ or approximately 5.33.
Missing Side Length 8Af695
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