Mathematics 334 Designed by Peter Nield Notes by Katherine Daignault

Westwood High School Grade 9 Student

Similar Figures
Symbols
∝ : similar/proportional
∴ : therefore

Definition:
1. All corresponding angles are congruent.
2. All corresponding sides are proportional.
A.K.A.: Same shape, different size.

Similar figures are created by a similarity transformation (dilation).

Checking for proportionality:

2 3
=
2 4 4 6
If equation is true, sides are proportional.

3 6

These two figures are similar because all angles are congruent and sides are proportional.

Similar Triangles Theorems

1) AA: 2 triangles with 2 pairs of congruent angles are similar.

E ∆ABC ∝ ∆DEF by AA.

B

A C D F

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Mathematics 334 Designed by Peter Nield Notes by Katherine Daignault
Westwood High School Grade 9 Student

2) SAS: 2 triangles with 2 pairs of proportional sides and their contained angles
congruent are similar.

m AB m AC
E =
m DE m DF
B ∆ABC ∝ ∆DEF by SAS

A C D F

3) SSS: 2 triangles with 3 pairs of proportional sides are similar.

E m BC m AB m AB
= =
B m DF m DE m EF

A C D F

4) Any secant line parallel to a side of a triangle creates a new smaller triangle, similar to
the original.

B
DE // AC
∆BDE ∝ ∆ABC
D E

A C

5) Any line connecting the midpoints of 2 sides of a triangle is parallel to the third side,
creates a smaller triangle.

B
AC // DE
∴ ∆ABC ∝ ∆DBE

D E

A C

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Mathematics 334 Designed by Peter Nield Notes by Katherine Daignault
Westwood High School Grade 9 Student

6) Parallel lines create proportional segments.

A B
AB // CD // EF
C D m AC m BD
∴ =
mCE m DF
E
F

Rule for Overlaid Figures:

Always redraw them with the same orientation (i.e. all corresponding angles in the same
location).

EX:
Prove these triangles are similar and find the measure of DE .

B 3.9
10.4 5.82 15.52
E
D

A C
13.6

B
B 3.9 5.82

E D
10.4
15.52

A C 10.4 15.52
= ∆ABC ∝ ∆BDE by SAS
13.6 3 .9 5.82
13.6 10.4
=
x 3. 9
10.4 x = 53.04
10.4
x = 5. 1
m ED = 5.1
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