Similar Figures

Front

What are similar figures?

Back

Similar figures are shapes that have the same shape but may differ in size. Their corresponding angles are equal, and the lengths of their corresponding sides are proportional.

Front

What does it mean for two triangles to be similar?

Back

Two triangles are similar if their corresponding angles are equal and the lengths of their corresponding sides are in proportion.

Front

How do you find the missing side of similar figures?

Back

To find the missing side, set up a proportion using the lengths of the corresponding sides of the similar figures.

Front

If triangle ABC is similar to triangle DEF, and the sides of triangle ABC are 4 cm and 6 cm, what are the corresponding sides of triangle DEF if the shortest side is 3 cm?

Back

The corresponding side of triangle DEF is 4.5 cm, found by setting up the proportion: 4/3 = 6/x.

Front

What is a proportion?

Back

A proportion is an equation that states that two ratios are equal.

Front

How can you use shadows to find the height of an object?

Back

You can use similar triangles formed by the object and its shadow to set up a proportion to find the height.

Front

If a tree is 12 feet tall and casts a shadow of 9 feet, what is the height of a building that casts a shadow of 24 feet?

Back

The height of the building is 32 feet, found by setting up the proportion: 12/9 = x/24.

Front

What is the scale factor in similar figures?

Back

The scale factor is the ratio of the lengths of two corresponding sides of similar figures.

Front

If two similar triangles have a scale factor of 2:3, what does this mean?

Back

It means that for every 2 units in one triangle, there are 3 units in the other triangle.

Front

How do you determine if two figures are similar?

Back

To determine if two figures are similar, check if their corresponding angles are equal and their corresponding sides are in proportion.