Lesson Ten

Theorems on Similar Plane Figures

Ratio of perimeters and ratio of areas of similar plane figures
Theorem 5.7
If the ratio of the lengths of the corresponding sides of two similar triangles is k, then
i. The ratio of their perimeters is k
ii. The ratio of their areas is k2. D

Proof A

i. Given ∆ABC ~∆DEF

AB BC AC
Then, = = =k
DE EF DF
B C E F
So, AB = k×DE, BC = k×EF & AC = k×DF
The perimeter of ∆ABC = AB + BC + AC = kDE+kEF+kDF =k(DE+EF+DE)
=k perimeter of ∆DEF
perimeter of ∆ ABC
Therefore, k =
perimeter of ∆≝¿ ¿

This shows that the ratio of their perimeters = the ratio of their corresponding sides

ii. Given. ∆ABC ~∆DEF D

AB BC AC
Then, = = =k A
DE EF DF

Let AN be the altitude from A to BC

& DM be the altitude from D to EF
B N C E M F
Since ∆BAN & ∆EDM are right angle triangles & ¿B≅ <¿E we have
∆ABN ~∆DEM by AA similarity
AN AB
Therefore = =k
DM DE
1 1
Now, area of ∆ABC = BC×AN, & area of ∆DEF = EF×DM
2 2
1
BC × AN
area of ∆ ABC 2 AN AB
Therefore, = = × = k × k = k2
area of ∆≝¿ ¿ 1 DM DE
EF × DM
2
This shows, the ratio of their areas is the square of the ratio of their corresponding sides.
Exmples
1. The sides of a polygon have lengths 5, 7, 8, 11, and 19 units. The perimeter of a similar
polygon is 75 units. Find the lengths of the sides of the larger polygon.
 2. Two triangles are similar. A side of one is 2 units long. The corresponding side of the
other is 5 units long. What is the ratio of:
A) Their perimeters? B) Their areas?
Solution:
1. Give two similar pentagons.
Let the lengths of sides of first pentagon be 5, 7, 8, 11, and 19 units.
Let the lengths of the corresponding sides of the other polygon be a, b, c, d & e.
5+7+8+11 +19 50 2 5 7 8 11 19
∴ = = = = = = =
75 75 3 a b c d e
2 5 2 11
⇒ 3 = a ⇒ 3= d
3× 5 3× 11
a = 2 =7.5 d= 2
=16.5
2 7 2 19
⇒3=b ⇒3= e
3× 7 3× 19
b = 2 =10.5 e= 2
=28.5
2 8
⇒3=c
3× 8
c = 2 =12

2 5
2. A) The ratio of their perimeters is or
5 2
2 4 5 25
B) The ratio of their areas is ( )2 = or ( )2 =
5 25 2 4
HOME WORK
PAGE 205 &206 EXERCISE 5.6
Questions 1, 3 & 4