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Lesson 3 Reteach
Similarity and Transformations
Two figures are similar if the second can be obtained from the first by a sequence of transformations
and dilations. Recall that a dilation changes the size of a figure by a scale factor, but does not change
the shape of the figure.

Example 1
Determine if the two figures are similar by using R U
transformations. A D

Since the orientation of the figures is the same, one of the

transformations is a translation.
B C
Write ratios comparing the lengths of the sides.

AB 4 1 BC 2 1 CD 4 1 DA 2 1 S T
−−− =− or −, −−− = − or − , −−− = − or −, −−− = − or −
RS 8 2 ST 4 2 TU 8 2 UR 4 2

Since the ratios are equal, ABCD is the dilated image of

RSTU. So, the two triangles are similar because a
translation and a dilation maps ABCD onto RSTU.

Example 2
Determine if the two figures are similar by using
transformations. R
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

Since the orientation of the figures is the same, one of the

transformations.
B C
AB 3 BC 2 1
−−− =− , −−− = − or −
RS 7 ST 4 2 S T
The ratios are not equal. So, the two triangles are not
similar since a dilation did not occur.

Exercise
1. Determine if the two figures are similar by using
E H
transformations.

F G
V Y

W X

Course 3 • Chapter 7 Congruence and Similarity 105