Similar Figures and Scale Factor

Front

What are similar figures?

Back

Similar figures are shapes that have the same shape but may differ in size. Their corresponding angles are equal, and their corresponding sides are proportional.

Front

What is a scale factor?

Back

A scale factor is a number that scales, or multiplies, some quantity. In the context of similar figures, it is the ratio of the lengths of corresponding sides.

Front

If two figures are similar, what can be said about their corresponding angles?

Back

The corresponding angles of similar figures are equal.

Front

If the scale factor of two similar figures is 2:1, what does this mean?

Back

This means that for every 2 units in one figure, there is 1 unit in the other figure. The larger figure is twice the size of the smaller figure.

Front

How do you determine if two figures are similar?

Back

To determine if two figures are similar, check if their corresponding angles are equal and if the lengths of their corresponding sides are proportional.

Front

What is the relationship between the areas of two similar figures and their scale factor?

Back

The ratio of the areas of two similar figures is equal to the square of the scale factor.

Front

If a rectangle has a length of 10 cm and a width of 5 cm, what are the dimensions of a similar rectangle with a scale factor of 3?

Back

The dimensions of the similar rectangle would be 30 cm (length) and 15 cm (width).

Front

What is the formula to find the length of a side in a similar figure?

Back

Length of side in similar figure = (Length of corresponding side in original figure) x (Scale Factor).

Front

If a triangle has sides of lengths 3 cm, 4 cm, and 5 cm, what are the lengths of the sides of a similar triangle with a scale factor of 2?

Back

The lengths of the sides of the similar triangle would be 6 cm, 8 cm, and 10 cm.

Front

What does it mean for two figures to be proportional?

Back

Two figures are proportional if their corresponding sides are in the same ratio.