Proportions and Similar Figures

Front

What is a proportion?

Back

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

Front

What is the scale factor?

Back

The scale factor is a number that scales, or multiplies, some quantity. It is the ratio of the lengths of two corresponding sides of similar figures.

Front

How do you determine if two figures are similar?

Back

Two figures are similar if their corresponding angles are equal and the lengths of their corresponding sides are proportional.

Front

What is a similarity statement?

Back

A similarity statement is a statement that indicates that two figures are similar, often written in the form ΔABC ~ ΔDEF.

Front

If the scale factor is 1/2, what does that mean?

Back

It means that the dimensions of the new figure are half the size of the original figure.

Front

What is the relationship between corresponding sides of similar figures?

Back

The corresponding sides of similar figures are proportional to each other.

Front

If triangle ABC is similar to triangle DEF, what can we say about their angles?

Back

The corresponding angles of triangle ABC and triangle DEF are equal.

Front

How do you find the scale factor between two similar figures?

Back

To find the scale factor, divide the length of a side of the new figure by the length of the corresponding side of the original figure.

Front

What does it mean if two triangles are congruent?

Back

If two triangles are congruent, it means they have the same size and shape, with corresponding sides and angles being equal.

Front

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

Back

The area of similar figures is proportional to the square of the scale factor.