Similar Triangles Word Problems

Front

If two figures are similar, the corresponding sides are ______________.

Back

proportional

Front

Use the information in the diagram to determine the height of the tree. (Answer: 80 feet)

Back

80 feet

Front

To find the height of a very tall pine tree, you place a mirror on the ground and stand where you can see the top of the pine tree. How tall is the tree? (Answer: 72 feet)

Back

72 feet

Front

Find the height of the tree. (Answer: 15 ft)

Back

15 ft

Front

Choose the similarity statement for the triangles: ΔMNL ∼ ΔOPQ, ΔNOM ∼ ΔPQL, ΔLMN ∼ ΔPQO, ΔMLN ∼ ΔPQO.

Back

ΔLMN ∼ ΔPQO

Front

Definition: Similar Triangles

Back

Triangles that have the same shape but may have different sizes; their corresponding angles are equal and their corresponding sides are proportional.

Front

What is the Ratio of Similarity?

Back

The ratio of the lengths of corresponding sides of two similar triangles.

Front

How do you determine if two triangles are similar?

Back

By checking if their corresponding angles are equal or if the sides are in proportion.

Front

Example of Similar Triangles:

Back

If triangle ABC has sides 3, 4, 5 and triangle DEF has sides 6, 8, 10, then ABC ∼ DEF because the sides are in proportion.

Front

What is the Scale Factor?

Back

The ratio of the lengths of corresponding sides of two similar figures.