Solving similar triangles

Front

What are similar triangles?

Back

Triangles that have the same shape but may differ in size. Their corresponding angles are equal, and their corresponding sides are in proportion.

Front

What is the scale factor in similar triangles?

Back

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

Front

If two triangles are similar, how do you find a missing side length?

Back

Use the proportion of the corresponding sides to set up a ratio and solve for the missing length.

Front

What is the relationship between the angles of similar triangles?

Back

The corresponding angles of similar triangles are equal.

Front

How do you determine if two triangles are similar?

Back

Two triangles are similar if: 1) Their corresponding angles are equal, or 2) The lengths of their corresponding sides are proportional.

Front

If ΔABC ~ ΔDEF and AB = 4, DE = 8, what is the scale factor?

Back

The scale factor is 2 (8/4).

Front

If the scale factor from ΔXYZ to ΔPQR is 3, and XY = 6, what is PQ?

Back

PQ = 18 (3 * 6).

Front

What is the formula for finding the area of similar triangles?

Back

Area ratio = (scale factor)².

Front

If the area of ΔABC is 50 cm² and the scale factor to ΔDEF is 1/2, what is the area of ΔDEF?

Back

Area of ΔDEF = 12.5 cm² (50 * (1/2)²).

Front

What is the significance of corresponding sides in similar triangles?

Back

Corresponding sides are proportional, meaning the ratio of one side to its corresponding side in the other triangle is constant.