Similarity

Front

What does it mean for two figures to be similar?

Back

Two figures are similar if they have the same shape but not necessarily the same size. This means their corresponding angles are equal and their corresponding sides are in proportion.

Front

What is the similarity ratio?

Back

The similarity ratio is the ratio of the lengths of corresponding sides of two similar figures.

Front

If two triangles are similar, how can you find a missing side length?

Back

You can find a missing side length by setting up a proportion using the lengths of the corresponding sides of the triangles.

Front

What is the relationship between the angles of similar triangles?

Back

The corresponding angles of similar triangles are equal.

Front

How do you calculate the perimeter of a similar figure?

Back

To calculate the perimeter of a similar figure, multiply the perimeter of the original figure by the similarity ratio.

Front

If triangle ABC is similar to triangle DEF, and the length of side AB is 4 cm and side DE is 8 cm, what is the similarity ratio?

Back

The similarity ratio is 1:2.

Front

What is the formula for finding the area of similar figures?

Back

The area of similar figures is proportional to the square of the similarity ratio.

Front

If the similarity ratio of two similar triangles is 3:5, how do you find the area ratio?

Back

The area ratio will be 3^2:5^2, which simplifies to 9:25.

Front

What is a real-life example of similar figures?

Back

A real-life example of similar figures is a map and the actual area it represents; the map is a scaled-down version of the real area.

Front

How can you use shadows to find the height of a person using similar triangles?

Back

By comparing the length of the shadow of the person to the length of a known object’s shadow, you can set up a proportion to find the person's height.