8.

3 – Similar Polygons
Two polygons are similar if:
-their corresponding angles are congruent
-their corresponding sides are proportional
~ “similar to”
R U
I L
P
S
A
G
Angles are Congruent Sides are Proportional

<A  <G
PI IL LA PA
<P  <S   
<I  <R SR RU UG SG
<L  <U
R U
I L
P
S
A
PILA~SRUG G
 Are the two triangles similar?
If so, write the similarity statement. R
I
5
3
30º 10 8
P S
4

60º
G 6 U

SIP~RGU
 Scale Factor – the common ratio of the
corresponding sides of similar polygons
I R
5
3
30º 10 8
P S
4

Find the scale factor of 60º

PSI to URG G 6 U
½
 Are the two triangles similar?
If so, what is the scale factor?

8
4
40º
12
5 8

Not similar!
50º
6
Given that PILA~SRUG, determine the
values of a, b, x and y.
a= 60º X=4
b = 20º Y=3

R 9 U
I 3 L 20º
bº
1 y
P x
2 60º S 12
A 6 aº
G
ABC and ABD are both isosceles triangles
with AB = AC and AD = BD.
1) Are the corresponding angles congruent?

2) Write a similarity statement.

B 70°
C D
Given that QP // ON, Prove that the triangles
are similar.
-Because QP // ON, there are 2 sets of
corresponding angles.
Q
-The triangles share the third angle at M, so
corresponding angles are congruent
6 3 2 4
 
12 - Since 9 6 12 , corresponding sides
O are proportional!

4
3

M 70°
2 N 4 P
The figures are both squares. Are they similar?
What is the scale factor? 4 to 7 What is the ratio of
Find the perimeter of ABCD their perimeters?
8
Find the perimeter of EFGH 14 8/14 = 4/7

E F

A 2 B

D C
H 7/2 G
So…
Theorem 8.1 – If two polygons are similar,
then the ratio of their perimeters is equal
to the ratio of their corresponding sides.