Edited by: Mrs Loreben R.

Abaquita

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In geometry, two polygons

are similar when one is a
replica (scale model) of
the other.

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Consider Dr. Evil and Mini Me from

Mike Meyers hit movie Austin Powers.
Mini Me is supposed to be an exact
replica of Dr. Evil.

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The following are similar figures.

I

II

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The following are non-similar figures.

II

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Feefee the mother cat, lost her daughters, would you

please help her to find her daughters. Her daughters have
the similar footprint with their mother.

Feefees
footprint

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1.

Which of the following is similar to the

above triangle?
A

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Similar triangles are triangles that have the same

shape but not necessarily the same size.
A

D
E

B
F

ABC DEF

When we say that triangles are similar there are several

repercussions that come from it.
A D
B E
C F

AB
DE

BC
EF

AC
DF

Six of those statements are true as a result of the

similarity of the two triangles. However, if we need to
prove that a pair of triangles are similar how many of
those statements do we need? Because we are working
with triangles and the measure of the angles and sides
are dependent on each other. We do not need all six.
There are three special combinations that we can use
to prove similarity of triangles.
1. SSS Similarity Theorem - SSSST
3 pairs of proportional sides
2. SAS Similarity Theorem - SASST
2 pairs of proportional sides and congruent
angles between them
3. AA Similarity Theorem - AAST
2 pairs of congruent angles

1. SSS Similarity Theorem

3 pairs of proportional sides
A
9.6

5
B

12

mAB

mDF
mBC

mFE

5
1 .25
4
12
1.25
9 .6

mAC
13

1.25
mDE 10.4

ABC DFE

2. SAS Similarity Theorem

2 pairs of proportional sides and congruent
angles between them
L
G

70

mGH
5

0 .66
7 .5
mLK
mHI
7

0 .66
mKJ 10.5

70

10.5

mH = mK

GHI LKJ

The SAS Similarity Theorem does not work unless

the congruent angles fall between the proportional
sides. For example, if we have the situation that is
shown in the diagram below, we cannot state that the
triangles are similar. We do not have the information
that we need.
L
G

50

50

10.5
Angles I and J do not fall in between sides GH and HI and
sides LK and KJ respectively.

3. AA Similarity Theorem
2 pairs of congruent angles

70

50

mN = mR

mO = mP

50

70

MNO QRP

It is possible for two triangles to be similar when

they have 2 pairs of angles given but only one of
those given pairs are congruent.
T
X
Y
34

34
59
59

87 59

mS = 180- (34 + 87)

mS = 180- 121
mS = 59

mT = mX
mS = mZ

TSU XZY

Note: One triangle is a scale model of the

other triangle.
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How do we know if two

triangles are similar or
proportional?

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Triangles are similar (~) if

corresponding angles are
equal and the ratios of the
lengths of corresponding sides
are equal.

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Interior Angles of Triangles

The sum of the measure

of the angles of a
triangle is 1800.
C 1800
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Determine whether the pair of triangles is similar.

Justify your answer.

Answer: Since the corresponding angles have equal

measures, the triangles are similar.

If the product of the

extremes equals the
product of the means
then a proportion
exists.

a c

b d

bc ad

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This
ABC and AC
XYZ are
ABtells us thatBC
=K
=K
=K
similar and proportional.
YZ
XZ
XY

12
2
6

8
2
4

10
2
5
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Q: Can right triangles be similar?

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AnswerYes, right triangles can also

be similar but use the criteria.

AB
=
XY

AC
BC
=K
=
XZ
YZ
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AB
=
XY

BC
=
YZ

AC
=K
XZ

6
8
10
=
=
=K
4
6
8
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Do we have equality?

6
8
10
=
=
=K
4
6
8
6
8
= 1.5 but
= 1.3
4
6
This tells us our triangles are not
similar. You cant have two different
scaling factors!
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If we are given that two

triangles are similar or
proportional what can we
determine about the
triangles?

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The two triangles below are known to

be similar, determine the missing value
X.

7.5 4.5

5
x
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7.5 4.5

5
x
54.5 7.5 x

22.5 7.5x
3 x
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In the figure, the two triangles are similar.

What are c and d ?
A

10
c

R
4

Q
6

10 c
40 5c

5 4

8c
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In the figure, the two triangles are similar.

What are c and d ?
A

10
c

R
4

Q
6

10 6
30 10d

5 d

3d
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Sometimes we need to measure a distance

indirectly. A common method of indirect
measurement is the use of similar triangles.

17 6

102 h

36 h

h
6
17
102
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Activity 3.10
1. Group yourselves into 5.
2. Choose any of the following to estimate the height
using similar triangles:
a. Flagpole
b. Gym
c. Elem building
d. HS Building
e. Tallest Tree in the sunken garden
3. On the bondpaper draw an illustration.
4. Apply similar triangles to estimate the height of the
figure you have chosen.
5. Write class numbers on the upper right corner.

Algebra 1 Honors 4-2

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SW 3.8
Answer:
A#1-6, pp 338-339
A #2 & 4, p. 340
TC: #29 p.344