Similar Figures

(Not exactly the same,

but pretty close!)

Lets do a little
review work
before discussing
similar figures.

Congruent Figures
In order to be congruent, two
figures must be the same size
and same shape.

Similar Figures
Similar figures must be the
same shape, but their sizes may
be different.

Similar Figures
This is the symbol that
means similar.
These figures are the same
shape but different sizes.

SIZES
Although the size of the two
shapes can be different, the
sizes of the two shapes4must
differ by a factor.
2
3

6
2

SIZES
In this case, the factor is x 2.
4
2
3

3
1

6
2

SIZES
Or you can think of the
factor as
2.

2
3

3
1

6
2

Enlargements
When you have a photograph
enlarged, you make a similar
photograph.

X3

Reductions
A photograph can also be
shrunk to produce a slide.

Determine the length of the

unknown side.
15
12

4
3

These triangles differ by a factor

of 3.
15
15
12

3= 5
?

4
3

Determine the length of the

unknown side.
?
2
4

24

These dodecagons differ by a

factor of 6.
6
x
2

2
4

2
1
=

24

Sometimes the factor between 2

figures is not obvious and some
calculations are necessary.
15

12
18

?=

10
12

To find this missing factor, divide

18 by 12.

15

12
18

?=

10
12

18 divided by 12
= 1.5

The value of the missing

factor is 1.5.

15

12
18

1.5 =

10
12

When changing the size of a

figure, will the angles of the
figure also change?
?
40

70

70

Nope! Remember, the sum of all 3

angles in a triangle MUST add to 180
degrees.
If the size of the
angles were
40
increased,
the sum
40
would exceed
180
degrees.

70

70

70

70

We can verify this fact by placing

the smaller triangle inside the
larger triangle.
40
40

70

70

70

70

The 40 degree angles

are congruent.
40

70
70

70
70

The 70 degree angles

are congruent.
40
40

70
70

70 70

The other 70 degree

angles are congruent.
4
40

70
7070

70
70

Similar Figures

So, similar figures are

two figures that are the
same shape and whose
sides are proportional.

Practice Time!

1) Determine the missing side of

the triangle.
?
3

5
4

9
12

1) Determine the missing side of

the triangle.
15
3

5
4

9
12

2) Determine the missing side of

the triangle.
6

36

36

4
?

2) Determine the missing side of

the triangle.
6

36

36

4
24

3) Determine the missing sides of

the triangle.
39
24

33

?
8

3) Determine the missing sides of

the triangle.
39
24

33

13
8

11

4) Determine the height of the

lighthouse.

2.5
10

4) Determine the height of the

lighthouse.

32

2.5
10

5) Determine the height of the

car.

3
5

?
12

5) Determine the height of the

car.

3
5

7.2
12

THE END!