Identifying Similar Polygons and Scale Factors

What is the basic idea behind similar polygons?

• They have the same shape but not necessarily the same size.

• They have the same perimeter.

• They have the same size but different shapes.

• They have different shapes and sizes.

Why are the two squares with side lengths 1 and 2 considered similar?

• Because they have the same area.

• Because they have the same perimeter.

• Because they have different shapes.

• Because they are both squares but of different sizes.

Why are the two triangles with side lengths 2, 2, 1 and 4, 4, 4 not similar?

• Because they are not both triangles.

• Because they have the same angles.

• Because the ratio between their corresponding sides is not consistent.

• Because they have the same shape.

What must be true for the corresponding sides of similar polygons?

• They must be equal in length.

• They must have a consistent ratio.

• They must be parallel.

• They must be perpendicular.

What is the term for the number you multiply by to get from one shape to a similar shape?

• Scale factor

• Ratio factor

• Similarity factor

• Proportion factor

What is another property of similar polygons besides having a consistent scale factor?

• Their corresponding angles are congruent.

• Their corresponding sides are equal.

• Their areas are equal.

• Their perimeters are equal.

Why are any two squares always similar to each other?

• Because they have the same perimeter.

• Because they have the same area.

• Because they have the same angles and the ratio of their sides is consistent.

• Because they have the same side lengths.

Why are any two equilateral triangles always similar to each other?

• Because they have the same side lengths.

• Because they have the same perimeter.

• Because they have the same angles and the ratio of their sides is consistent.

• Because they have the same area.

In the final example, why are the two rectangles considered similar?

• Because they have the same area.

• Because they have different shapes.

• Because they have the same perimeter.

• Because the ratio between their corresponding sides is consistent.

What is always true about the corresponding angles of similar polygons?

• They are congruent.

• They are different.

• They are supplementary.

• They are complementary.