similarity triangle geometry

Similarity

Similarity,
In what follows, we’ll see that many—if not most—of our results shall rely on the proportionality of sides in similar triangles. A convenient statement is as follows.

Similarity, Given the similar triangles ΔABC ∼ ΔA’BC’,
We have that,

similarity 01
similarity 01.1

Conversely, if

sm1

then triangles ΔABC ∼ ΔA’BC’ are similar.

Proof

Note first that ΔAA’C’ and ΔCA’C’ clearly have the same areas, which implies that ΔABC’ and ΔCA’B have the same area (being the previous common area plus the area of the common triangle ΔA’BC’).

triangle geometry proof 1

Therefore,

triangle geometry proof 1.1

In an entirely similar fashion, one can prove that

triangle geometry proof 1.2

Conversely, assume that

tg 2

In the figure below, point C” has been located so that the segment [A’C”] is parallel to [AC]. But then triangles ΔABC and ΔA’BC” are similar,

similar triangles

and so,

tg3

i.e. that BC” = BC’ . This clearly implies that C’ = C”, and so [A’C’ ] is parallel to [AC]. From this, it immediately follows that triangles Δ ABC and ΔA’BC’ are similar.

Exercises for Similarity

01. Let ΔABC and ΔA’B’C’ be given with ABC = A’B’C’ and

similarity exercise 1

02.

similarity exercise 2

In the figure to the right, AD = rAB, AE = sAC.
Show that

exercise 2

03. Let ΔABC be a given triangle and let Y, Z be the midpoints of [AC], [AB], respectively. Show that (XY ) is parallel with (AB). (This simple result is sometimes called the Midpoint Theorem)

04.

similarity exercise 4

In ΔABC, you are given that

exercise 4

where x is a positive real number. Assuming that the area of ΔABC is 1, compute the area of ΔXYZ as a function of x.

05. Let ABCD be a quadrilateral and let EF GH be the quadrilateral formed by connecting the midpoints of the sides of ABCD. Prove that EF GH is a parallelogram.

06.

similarity exercise 6

In the figure to the right, ABCD is a parallelogram, and E is a point on the segment [AD]. The point F is the intersection of lines (BE) and (CD). Prove that AB × FB = CF × BE.

07.

exercise 7

In the figure to the correct, tangents to the circle at B and C meet at point AP is found on the minor arc BC and the tangent to the circle at P meets the lines (AB) and (AC) at the points D and E, respectively. Prove that DOE = ½BOC, where O is that the center of the circle.

Related Lessons: Pythagorean theorem

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