Chapter 3

Similarity

3.1 Notes
Two triangles are congruent if they are copies of each other (possibly flipped, rotated,
or moved); this means that they have all equal angles and all congruent sides. Two triangles
are similar if one can be dilated to be congruent to the other; that is, they have all
equal angles and the ratio of corresponding sides is the same. We define the notation
4ABC ∼ = 4A1 B1 C1 when they are congruent in that order, and 4ABC ∼ 4A1 B1 C1
when they are similar in that order.

Theorem 3.1.1 (SSS congruence). If AB = A1 B1 , BC = B1 C1 , and AC = A1 C1 in

triangles ABC and A1 B1 C1 , then they are congruent.

Proof by Jacques Hadamard. Place the two triangles so that BC and B1 C1 coincide and
A and A1 are both on the same side of BC. Now, assume that A and A1 are not the same
point. Then B is equidistant from A and A1 , and so is C, so BC must be the perpendicular
bisector of AA1 . But A and A1 are both on one side of BC, so this isn’t possible; thus,
A = A1 and the two triangles have been shown to be congruent.

Theorem 3.1.2 (SSS similarity). If the ratios AB : A1 B1 , BC : B1 C1 , and AC : A1 C1

are the same in triangles ABC and A1 B1 C1 , then they are similar.

Proof. Scale up triangle A1 B1 C1 by that ratio and use SSS congruence.

Theorem 3.1.3 (ASA and SAA congruence). If AB = A1 B1 and two of the angles are
congruent in triangles ABC and A1 B1 C1 , then they are congruent.

Proof. Since the sum of the angles in the two triangles are the same, we know that the
third pair of angles must also be congruent, so ASA and SAA congruence are really the
same. Place AB and A1 B1 down so they coincide with each other. Now, draw a line
through A that is ∠A counterclockwise from AB, and draw a line through B that is ∠B

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MC35G Chapter 3. Similarity

clockwise from AB. Then C must lie on both lines and so must C1 (because the angles
∠CAB, ∠C1 AB, ∠CBA, and ∠C1 BA are fixed). Since the lines only intersect in at most
one point, C = C1 and the triangles are congruent.

Theorem 3.1.4 (AA similarity). If ∠A = ∠A1 and ∠B = ∠B1 in triangle ABC and
A1 B1 C1 , then they are similar.

Proof. This is the same proof as for ASA congruence, but we don’t need a side to be
congruent, because we can just scale up to fit that criteria. Since a scaled version of
triangle ABC is congruent to A1 B1 C1 , the two are similar.

Theorem 3.1.5 (SAS similarity). If ∠A = ∠A1 , AB = A1 B1 , and AC = A1 C1 in triangles

ABC and A1 B1 C1 , then they are congruent.

Proof. Place AB and A1 B1 down so they coincide; now draw a ray through A that is ∠A
counterclockwise from AB. Now both C and C1 must lie on this ray and are the same
distance from A, so they are the same point and the triangles are congruent.

Spotting similar and congruent triangles can help us solve a lot of problems, especially
since we can use them to find ratios of lengths. Here are some examples!

Example 3.1.6 (2014 AMC 12B # 21). In the figure, ABCD is a square of side length
1. The rectangles JKHG and EBCF are congruent. What is BE?

Solution. If BE = x, then both rectangles have dimension x by 1. Thus, we know that

JK = x and GJ = 1, but we want to somehow relate these to AE and AD (because our
slanted rectangle is stuck in rectangle ADF E).
Well, triangles AGJ, DHG, F KH, and EJK are all similar, because they all have a
right angle and then the other angles are “passed around” rectangle ADF E. Let’s say that
AJ DG
the ratio of AG = DH = FF K
H
= EK a
EJ = b . In other words, all the similar right triangles
√
have side lengths a, b, and a2 + b2 .
With this in mind, let’s try to write AD and AE this way. We know that
b a
1 − x = AE = EJ + AJ = x · √ +1· √
a2 + b2 a2 + b2

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MC35G Chapter 3. Similarity

and
b a
1 = AD = AG + GD = 1 · √ +x· √
2
a +b 2 a + b2
2

Now, to try to get some symmetry, let’s add these two equations together:
a+b
(2 − x) = (x + 1) √
a2 + b2
or we could subtract them:
b−a
−x = (x − 1) √
a2 + b2
Now we can cancel out all the as and bs, because (a + b)2 + (b − a)2 = 2(a2 + b2 ). Therefore,
2 2
(a + b)2 + (b − a)2
 
2−x −x
+ = =2
x+1 x−1 a2 + b2
(−x2 + 3x − 2)2 + (−x2 − x)2 = 2(x2 − 1)2
2x4 − 4x3 + 14x2 − 12x + 4 = 2x4 − 4x2 + 2
0 = 4x3 − 18x2 + 12x − 2
= 2(2x − 1)(x2 − 4x + 1)
√
We know that x < 12 , so we take the roots of the quadratic: x = 2 ± 3, and since x < 1,
√
our answer is 2 − 3 .

Example 3.1.7 (Altitude on Hypotenuse). Let ABC be a right triangle with right angle
∠A. If D is a point on BC so that AD is an altitude, then

1. AD2 = BD · CD

2. AB 2 = BD · BC

3. AC 2 = CD · CB

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MC35G Chapter 3. Similarity

Solution. Both the proof and the result are important in this example.
We have three right triangles in this diagram: ABC, ABD, and ACD, and it turns out
they are all similar. Why? ∠ACD = ∠ACB, and ∠ADC = ∠CAB, so by AA similarity,
triangles DAC and ABC are similar. A similar argument shows that triangles DBA and
ABC are also similar, so DAC and DBA are also similar (transitive property). Now, from
DAC and DBA,
DA DB
= =⇒ AD2 = BD · CD
DC DA
and similarly from ABC and DAC,
AC CD
= =⇒ AC 2 = CD · CB
BC AC
or from ABC and DBA,
AB BD
= =⇒ AB 2 = BD · BC
BC AB

Theorem 3.1.8 (Power of a Point). Let A, B, C, and D be on a circle, and let AC and
BD intersect at E. Prove that EA · EC = EB · ED.

Solution. There are two cases: E is inside or outside the circle.

Let’s do the inside case first. Remember the inscribed arc theorem and cyclic quadri-
lateral facts? We know that ∠B1 A1 C1 = ∠B1 D1 C1 , and also ∠A1 B1 D1 = ∠A1 C1 D1 , so
by AA similarity, triangles A1 E1 B1 and D1 E1 C1 are similar. Now,
A1 E1 D1 E1
= =⇒ A1 E1 · C1 E1 = B1 E1 · D1 E1
B1 E1 C1 E1

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MC35G Chapter 3. Similarity

Similarly, ∠E2 A2 B2 = 180◦ −∠C2 A2 B2 (supplementary angles) = 180◦ −(180◦ −∠C2 D2 E2 )

(opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral add to 180◦ ) = ∠C2 D2 E2 . Similarly, ∠E2 B2 A2 =
∠D2 C2 E2 , so by AA, triangles E2 A2 B2 and E2 D2 C2 are similar, and
E 2 A2 E2 D2
= =⇒ E2 A2 · E2 C2 = E2 B2 · E2 D2
E2 B2 E2 C2
completing the proof.

In conclusion, there are three main ideas discussed that are centered around similar
and congruent triangles: dealing with parallel lines, exploiting equal angles, and scaling
for areas.
A final related idea that also helps with relating sides and equal angles:
Theorem 3.1.9 (Angle Bisector Theorem). Let ABC be a triangle, and let D be a point
AB AC
on BC such that ∠BAD = ∠CAD. Then BD = CD .
Proof. Draw the altitudes from B and C down to line AD; let’s say they intersect AD at
B1 and C1 , respectively. Then, triangles ABB1 and ACC1 are similar, since they both have
a right angle (at B1 and C1 , respectively) and another common angle ∠BAB1 = ∠CAC1 .
Thus,
AB AC
=
BB1 CC1
However, there is another pair of similar triangles: because BB1 and CC1 are both perpen-
dicular to AD, those two lines are parallel. Thus, the transversal BC creates two similar
triangles, much like the earlier examples in this section: ∠B1 BD = ∠C1 CD by alternate
interior angles, and we have the same right angles, so triangles B1 BD and C1 CD are
similar. Thus,
BD CD
=
BB1 CC1
and now divide the two ratio statements to get the result.

Example 3.1.10 (2013 AMC 12B # 24). Let ABC be a triangle where M is the midpoint
of AC, and CN is the angle bisector of ∠ACB with N on AB. Let X be the intersection
of the median BM and the bisector CN . In addition 4BXN is equilateral with AC = 2.
What is BN 2 ?
Solution. First of all, we have a median, which is a length condition, so let’s use the Angle
Bisector theorem to turn the angle bisector into a length condition as well. Let BC = 2x;
then we can let AN = y and BN = xy. Then BX = N X = xy, but what can we do next?
Let’s chase a few angles. Letting ∠BCN = ∠ACN = α, we can find all the other angles
in the triangle: we find that ∠N AC = ∠XBC = 60 − α, so we have similar triangles AN C

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MC35G Chapter 3. Similarity

and BXC with scale factor x. Therefore, CX = N C · x, so CX = (CX + xy)x, or

x2 y
CX = 1−x . But this isn’t enough; we want to find more similar triangles. Notice that
triangles CXM and CN B are similar, because they have angles of α√ and 60◦ . The scale
2
factor here is CX CM 1
CN = x, but that is also the same as BC = 2x , so x = 2 . Substituting this
√
y√ y(2+ 2)
in for CX, we get that CX = 2− 2
= 2 which is a lot easier to work with!
√ √
Now we just need to find y. In triangle BXC, we have sides of length y 2 2 , 2+2 2 y,
√
and 2, as well as a 120 degree angle. Drop the altitude
√ from B to XC; let it hit at D.
y 6
Then BDC is a right triangle with legs BD = 4 by the 30-60-90 triangle BXD and
√
y(4+3 2)
CD = DX + XC = 4 ,so by the Pythagorean theorem,
√ !2 √ !2
 
6 4 + 3 2
y2  + =2
4 4
√ !
5 + 3 2 4
y2 = 2 =⇒ y 2 = √
2 5+3 2
√
y2 2√ 10 − 6 2
so we wanted BN 2 = 2 = 5+3 2
= .
7
The hardest part of many geometry problems is knowing what tools to use. The more
problems that are solved with each of these tools, the more defining their specific uses
become.

3.2 Examples
1. (SMT-2018-Geometry-3) Let ABC be a triangle and D be a point such that
√ A and
◦
D are on opposite sides of BC. Give that ∠ACD = 75 , AC = 2, BD = 6, and
AD is an angle bisector of both 4ABC and 4BCD, find the area of quadrilateral
ABDC.

2. (AMC10-2008-A20) Trapezoid ABCD has bases AB and CD and diagonals inter-

secting at K. Suppose that AB = 9, DC = 12, and the area of 4AKD is 24. What
is the area of trapezoid ABCD?

(A) 92 (B) 94 (C) 96 (D) 98 (E) 100

3. (Classic) ABCD is a parallelogram. Equilateral triangles ABE and ADF are con-
structed on the outside of ABCD. Prove that triangle CEF is equilateral.

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MC35G Chapter 3. Similarity

4. (AMC10-2016-A19) In rectangle ABCD, AB = 6 and BC = 3. Point E between B

and C, and point F between E and C are such that BE = EF = F C. Segments AE
and AF intersect BD at P and Q, respectively. The ratio BP : P Q : QD can be writ-
ten as r : s : t, where the greatest common factor of r, s, and t is 1. What is r +s+t?

(A) 7 (B) 9 (C) 12 (D) 15 (E) 20

3.3 Exercises
1. (AMC10-2002-A20) Points A, B, C, D, E, and F lie, in that order, on AF , dividing
it into five segments, each of length 1. Point G is not on line AF . Point H lies on
GD, and point J lies on GF . The line segments HC, JE, and AG are parallel. Find
HC/JE.

(A) 5/4 (B) 4/3 (C) 3/2 (D) 5/3 (E) 2

2. (AMC10-2012-B19) In rectangle ABCD, AB = 6, AD = 30, and G is the midpoint of

AD. Segment AB is extended 2 units beyond B to point E, and F is the intersection
of ED and BC. What is the area of BDF G?

133 135 137

(A) 2 (B) 67 (C) 2 (D) 68 (E) 2

3. (AMC10-2016-B19) Rectangle ABCD has AB = 5 and BC = 4. Point E lies on AB

so that EB = 1, point G lies on BC so that CG = 1, and point F lies on CD so that
DF = 2. Segments AG and AC intersect EF at Q and P, respectively. What is the
value of PEF
Q
?

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MC35G Chapter 3. Similarity

√ √
3 2 9 10 1
(A) 16 (B) 13 (C) 82 (D) 91 (E) 9

4. (AMC12-2016-B17) In 4ABC shown in the figure, AB = 7, BC = 8, CA = 9, and

AH is an altitude. Points D and E lie on sides AC and AB, respectively, so that BD
and CE are angle bisectors, interesecting AH at Q and P, respectively. What is P Q?

5
√ 4
√ 8
√ 6
(A) 1 (B) 8 3 (C) 5 2 (D) 15 5 (E) 5

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