Mathematics Project Work

Made by: Aashish, Harinder, Rajat Anuj Sati, Navam, Arjun

Submitted to Mr Tiwary

Similar Triangles
Establish similarity of triangles using the following theorems: AA, SAS, SSS

Investigate, justify, and apply theorems about similar triangles

Similar Triangles
Unlike congruent triangles, which have the same angle AND side measures, SIMILAR triangles have the same angle measures, but the sides of one triangle may be bigger than the other! Example:
4
100 50

12
2
30

50 100

6
30

10

How it works: The lengths of the corresponding sides are in a proportion! So, youd set up equations to show the proportion between the sides.
4 2
12 6

50

4
100

12 2
30

50 100

6
30

10 5

10

*Notice how the first triangle is always the numerator, and the second triangle is always the denominator.

In order to set up the proportions, you need to know what sides are corresponding. Just like congruent triangles, the corresponding sides are two sides that are between the same angles.
B E 50 50 100 A 30 C D 100 30 F

So, since side AB is between the angles of 100 and 50, you need to identify the side in the other triangle that is between the same angles!

We would say that AB is similar to DE, BC is similar to EF, and CA is similar to FD.

AB DE BC EF CA FD

Identify the similar sides of the following:

R 40 60 80 L 60 W 80 40 G

N
Y

RY GW
YL WN
LR NG

Now, when youre setting up proportions for similar triangles, remember that if you put the first triangle in the numerator, it has to ALWAYS be in the numerator for your equations.
R L

RYL GWN
N

first (bigger )triangle sec ond ( smaller )triangle

RY YL RL GW WN GN

How would we use this to solve problems?

If ABC is similar to DEF, and AB=9, DE=3, and BC=12, what is the measure of EF?
D

1. Draw a picture! Label what you dont know as x.

9
F C B

3
x
E

12

2. Figure out your pairs of similar sides!

AB BC DE EF

3. Set up your proportion.

9 12 3 x
9x = 36 x=4

4. Cross multiply to solve.

Example 2: Triangle NTE is similar to triangle KLA. If TE=16, EN=24, and AK=3, what is the length of LA?
T L

TE EN LA AK
x

16

K N

16 24 x 3
48 = 24x

24

2=x

The length of the shortest side of a triangle is 12, and the length of the shortest side of a similar triangle is 4. If the longest side of a triangle is 15, what is the longest side of a similar triangle?

first triangle 12 15 second triangle 4 x

Cross-multiply to solve!

12x = 60
x=5

A person 5ft tall is standing near a tree 30ft high. If the length of the persons shadow is 3ft, what is the length of the shadow of the tree?

height shadow

5 30 3 x
person tree

5x = 90

x = 18 ft

A certain tree casts a shadow 6m long. At the same time, a nearby boy standing 2m tall casts a shadow 4m long. Find the height of the tree.
height shadow

x 2 6 4

12 4 x x 3m

Three sides of a triangle are 3, 4 and 5. Find the length of the SHORTEST side of a similar triangle whose LONGEST side has a length of 20.
triangle 1 triangle 2

4 3 20 x

60 4 x x 15
shortest side

longest side