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Course: High school geometry > Unit 4
Lesson 7: Solving modeling problems with similar & congruent trianglesSimilarity FAQ
Frequently asked questions about similarity
What is the relationship between similarity and geometric transformations?
Similarity is about two shapes having the same proportions. Two shapes can be similar even if one is bigger or smaller than the other, as long as they keep the same proportions.
In terms of transformations, we can use four different types to create similar shapes:
- Dilations: enlarging or shrinking a shape
- Translations: moving a shape from one location to another
- Rotations: rotating a shape around a point
- Reflections: flipping a shape over a line
We can use any combination of these transformations to create shapes that are similar to one another.
Try it yourself with our Similarity & transformations exercise.
How do we determine that two triangles are similar?
Similar triangles have the same shape, but they might not have the same size. To determine if two triangles are similar, we need to look at three things:
- Side lengths: If the ratios of corresponding side lengths are equivalent, the triangles are similar. For example, if
- Angle measurements: If the corresponding angles have equal measures, the triangles are similar. For example, if
- Side-Angle-Side: If two sides of one triangle are proportional to two sides of another triangle, and the included angles are equal, the triangles are similar. For example, if
Try it yourself with our Determine similar triangles: Angles exercise and our Determine similar triangles: SSS exercise.
How does self-similarity work in right triangles?
When we draw an altitude to the hypotenuse of a right triangle, it creates two smaller right triangles. Interestingly, these two smaller right triangles are both similar to the original right triangle and to each other.
This happens because the altitude divides the hypotenuse into two segments, but also creates two new right angles. The two new right angles, along with the two segments, give us two right triangles that share the same proportions as the original right triangle.
This self-similarity is useful in geometry, as it allows us to use properties of similar triangles to solve problems. For example, if we know the length of the hypotenuse and one leg of the original right triangle, we can use this self-similarity to find the lengths of the two segments created by the altitude.
Try it yourself with our Use similar triangles exercise.
What can we prove with triangle similarity?
One thing we can prove using triangle similarity is the Pythagorean theorem. For example, consider a right triangle with sides
Because the triangles are similar, we can write ratios of corresponding side lengths, which ultimately simplifies to
We can use triangle similarity to show that the three medians of a triangle intersect at a single point. We can use triangle similarity to prove that the three altitudes of a triangle also intersect at a single point.
Another interesting property we can derive from triangle similarity is that when two chords (line segments with both endpoints on a circle) intersect, the product of the two segments on one chord is equal to the product of the two segments on the other chord.
There are many more properties we can prove using triangle similarity, and these are just a few examples.
Try it yourself with our Prove theorems using similarity exercise.
Want to join the conversation?
For anyone who didn't understand something, feel free to ask below, I'll try to help :)(15 votes)
this dont make sense(10 votes)
exactly just understand(4 votes)
- how do i find the units ?(5 votes)
- that depends on the problem you answer(5 votes)
makes no sense :)(4 votes)
Then you should start from the beginning :D(5 votes)
- what is ..fi? Is it off-brand pi?(3 votes)
φ is another letter of the Greek alphabet, like π. π is the 16th letter of the Greek alphabet, φ is the 21st. It's used to denote the golden ratio, and is sometimes used as a variable name.(2 votes)
to be honest I dont understand nun of this(2 votes)
I don't understand how this wouldn't make sense since we've been studying this for a while, but it was a bit more confusing than other units so I guess if you barely got through it, found it difficult to understand earlier, and didn't grow to understand what you were confused about then this would be confusing(0 votes)
So...is this a question...?(0 votes)
