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Similar Triangles
Two triangles are Similar if the only difference is size (and possibly the need to turn or flip one
around).
These triangles are all similar:
(Equal angles have been marked with the same number of arcs)
Some of them have different sizes and some of them have been turned or flipped.
Similar triangles have:
all their angles equal
corresponding sides have the same
ratio
Corresponding Sides
In similar triangles, the sides facing the equal angles are always in the same ratio.
For example:
Triangles R and S are similar. The equal angles are marked with the same numbers of arcs.
What are the corresponding lengths?
The lengths 7 and a are corresponding (they face the angle marked with one arc)
The lengths 8 and 6.4 are corresponding (they face the angle marked with two
arcs)
The lengths 6 and b are corresponding (they face the angle marked with three arcs)
a = (6.4/8) 7 = 5.6
b faces the angle with three arcs as does the side of length 6 in triangle R.
b = (6.4/8) 6 = 4.8
Done!
Similar
Finding Similar Triangles
Similar Triangle Theorems
Congruent
Congruent Triangles
Trigonometry Index