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ESO Y4B · Mathematics
Geometry and Trigonometry · Similarity

Similar triangles

With triangles you don't need to check that all the angles and all three sides match: one of three conditions is enough. These conditions are the most powerful tool in classical geometry for measuring what you can't measure with a tape measure.

Before you start, make sure you know: Similar triangles (2nd ESO)
Before you start, make sure you know: Thales' theorem (2nd ESO)

The three criteria for similarity

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Two triangles have, respectively, the following angles: the first has an angle of $45^\circ$ and another of $60^\circ$; the second has an angle of $60^\circ$ and another…

Two triangles have, respectively, the following angles: the first has an angle of $45^\circ$ and another of $60^\circ$; the second has an angle of $60^\circ$ and another of $75^\circ$. Determine whether both triangles are similar, justifying your answer based on the similarity criteria.

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The sides of a triangle measure $5\text{ cm}$, $7\text{ cm}$, and $9\text{ cm}$. Given that a second triangle is similar to this one and that its shortest side measures…

The sides of a triangle measure $5\text{ cm}$, $7\text{ cm}$, and $9\text{ cm}$. Given that a second triangle is similar to this one and that its shortest side measures $15\text{ cm}$, calculate the length of the other two sides of the second triangle.

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Determine whether triangles $ABC$ and $DEF$ are similar, given that their sides measure $AB = 12\text{ cm}$, $BC = 16\text{ cm}$, $CA = 20\text{ cm}$ and…

Determine whether triangles $ABC$ and $DEF$ are similar, given that their sides measure $AB = 12\text{ cm}$, $BC = 16\text{ cm}$, $CA = 20\text{ cm}$ and $DE = 9\text{ cm}$, $EF = 12\text{ cm}$, $FD = 15\text{ cm}$. If so, state the criterion used and the scale factor.

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Hidden similarity: Thales inside a triangle

When a line cuts two sides of a triangle parallel to the third, two similar triangles appear by AA: they share an angle, and the other two angles are equal because they are corresponding angles between parallel lines.

Triangle ABC cut by a line DE parallel to side BC, forming two similar triangles, one inside the other. A B C D E 4 6 5
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In a triangle $ABC$, a segment $DE$ parallel to the base $BC$ is drawn such that point $D$ lies on side $AB$ and point $E$ on side $AC$. Given that $AD = 4\text{ cm}$,…

In a triangle $ABC$, a segment $DE$ parallel to the base $BC$ is drawn such that point $D$ lies on side $AB$ and point $E$ on side $AC$. Given that $AD = 4\text{ cm}$, $DB = 6\text{ cm}$, and $DE = 5\text{ cm}$, apply Thales's theorem in the triangle to calculate the length of base $BC$.

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

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In the following figure, the segments $DE$ and $BC$ are parallel. The lengths are given by algebraic expressions: $AD = x$, $DB = 2\text{ cm}$, $AE = x + 2$, and…

In the following figure, the segments $DE$ and $BC$ are parallel. The lengths are given by algebraic expressions: $AD = x$, $DB = 2\text{ cm}$, $AE = x + 2$, and $EC = 3\text{ cm}$. Apply Thales's theorem to set up an equation and calculate the numerical value of $x$.

A D E B C x 2 x + 2 3
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Mirrors and crossed lines of sight

The shadow set-up is not the only one: a mirror on the ground, or two lines of sight that cross on the far side of a river, produce the same similar triangles by AA.

Measuring set-up with a mirror placed on the ground between an observer and a tall building. 1,6 m 1,5 m 12 m h ?
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To calculate the height of a building, a student places a flat mirror on the ground at $12\text{ m}$ from the base of the building. Stepping back $1,5\text{ m}$ from the…

To calculate the height of a building, a student places a flat mirror on the ground at $12\text{ m}$ from the base of the building. Stepping back $1,5\text{ m}$ from the mirror, the student (whose eyes are at $1,6\text{ m}$ from the ground) can see exactly the top of the building reflected in it. Given that the angles of incidence and reflection at the mirror form similar right-angled triangles, calculate the height of the building.

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To measure the width of a river with parallel banks, a surveyor stands at a point $A$ on one bank, directly opposite a tree $B$ on the opposite bank. He walks…

To measure the width of a river with parallel banks, a surveyor stands at a point $A$ on one bank, directly opposite a tree $B$ on the opposite bank. He walks $15\text{ m}$ along the bank to a point $C$ and drives in a marker pole. He then walks $3\text{ m}$ further to point $D$, turns $90^\circ$ away from the river, and walks $4\text{ m}$ to a point $E$, from which he sees the marker pole $C$ and the tree $B$ aligned. Calculate the width $x$ of the river.

B A C D E x 15 m 3 m 4 m
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Areas and volumes with similar triangles

The ratio $k$ of two similar triangles multiplies areas by $k^2$. This also appears when cutting solids (pyramids, cones) with a plane parallel to the base: the cross-section and the base are similar figures.

Pyramid cut by a plane parallel to its base, showing the smaller-scale cross-section similar to the base. cross-section base height
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The scale factor between two similar polygons is $k = 2,5$. If the area of the smaller polygon is $12\text{ cm}^2$, what is the area of the larger polygon?

The scale factor between two similar polygons is $k = 2,5$. If the area of the smaller polygon is $12\text{ cm}^2$, what is the area of the larger polygon?

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Two companies manufacture similar triangular sails for racing boats. The perimeter of the small sail is $12\text{ m}$ and that of the large sail is $18\text{ m}$. If the…

Two companies manufacture similar triangular sails for racing boats. The perimeter of the small sail is $12\text{ m}$ and that of the large sail is $18\text{ m}$. If the area of the small sail is $6\text{ m}^2$, what is the area of the large sail?

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A square-based pyramid has a height of $12\text{ cm}$ and the side length of its base is $8\text{ cm}$. The pyramid is cut by a plane parallel to the base, situated…

A square-based pyramid has a height of $12\text{ cm}$ and the side length of its base is $8\text{ cm}$. The pyramid is cut by a plane parallel to the base, situated $3\text{ cm}$ from the vertex. Calculate the area of the section obtained and the volume of the small top pyramid.

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Similar triangles hidden in other figures

Sometimes the two triangles are not drawn: you have to find them inside an inscribed square, two poles with crossed cables, or a trapezium with its diagonals.

Two vertical poles joined by crossed cables that intersect at a constant height. 4 m 6 m h
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In a right-angled triangle with legs $6\text{ cm}$ and $8\text{ cm}$, a square of side $x$ is inscribed such that one of the vertices of the square coincides with the…

In a right-angled triangle with legs $6\text{ cm}$ and $8\text{ cm}$, a square of side $x$ is inscribed such that one of the vertices of the square coincides with the vertex of the right angle of the triangle, and the opposite vertex lies on the hypotenuse. Calculate the exact value of the side of the square $x$.

6 8 x
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Two vertical poles of heights $4\text{ m}$ and $6\text{ m}$ stand on horizontal ground, separated by a distance of $10\text{ m}$. A straight cable is stretched from the…

Two vertical poles of heights $4\text{ m}$ and $6\text{ m}$ stand on horizontal ground, separated by a distance of $10\text{ m}$. A straight cable is stretched from the top of each pole to the base of the other. Calculate at what height $h$ above the ground the two cables cross. Prove whether or not this result depends on the distance separating the poles.

4 m 6 m 10 m h
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Summary

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