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Definition of Similar Triangles

I. Two triangles are similar if their corresponding angles are congruent and corresponding sides are proportional. Similarity is used only with geometric figures and is indicated with a tilde ("~"). II. There are three theorems for similarity: AAA, SAS, and SSS. AAA states if three angles are congruent, the triangles are similar. SAS states if two sides are proportional and the included angles are congruent, the triangles are similar. SSS states if three pairs of corresponding sides are proportional, the triangles are similar. III. The arc angle theorem states the measure of an arc subtended by an angle is twice the measure of the angle. A diameter of a circle forms a right angle if

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158 views4 pages

Definition of Similar Triangles

I. Two triangles are similar if their corresponding angles are congruent and corresponding sides are proportional. Similarity is used only with geometric figures and is indicated with a tilde ("~"). II. There are three theorems for similarity: AAA, SAS, and SSS. AAA states if three angles are congruent, the triangles are similar. SAS states if two sides are proportional and the included angles are congruent, the triangles are similar. SSS states if three pairs of corresponding sides are proportional, the triangles are similar. III. The arc angle theorem states the measure of an arc subtended by an angle is twice the measure of the angle. A diameter of a circle forms a right angle if

Uploaded by

Cristhine Ondevilla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Definition of Similar Triangles

Two triangles are said to be similar if their corresponding angles are congruent and their corresponding sides
are in a constant k proportion.
Similarity is an idea only used with geometric figures, and the notation used to indicated similarity between
objects is the tilde or "~" sign.
Similarity Triangle Theorems
Theorem 1: If three angles of one triangles are congruent to three angles of another triangle, the triangles are
similar. (AAA for similarity)
Corollary 1: If two angles of one triangles are congruent to two angles of another triangle, the triangles are
similar. (AA for similarity)
Corollary 2: If a line parallel to one side of a triangle intersects the other two sides in distinct points, then it
cuts off a triangle similar to the given triangle.
Theorem 2: If two sides of one triangle are in a constant k proportion to two sides of another triangle and the
included angle of the first triangle is congruent to the included angle of the second triangle, the two triangles
are similar. (SAS for similarity)
Theorem 3: If three sides of one triangle are in a constant k proportion to three corresponding sides of another
triangle, the triangles are similar. (SSS for similarity)
I. AA Theorem

When 2 angles of one triangle are equal to 2 corresponding angles of


the other tangle,the two triangles must be similar.

III. SSS Theorem

If three pairs of corresponding sides are proportional, then the


triangles must be similar.

II. SAS Theorem

If two sides and the included angle of one triangle are in the
same ratio as the corresponding two sides and included angle
in another triangle, then the triangles must be similar.

The Arc Angle Theorem (Inscribed Angle Theorem)


A triangle divides its circumcircle into three arcs. The arc angle of each these arcs is twice the opposite angle of the
triangle.
One says that an angle inscribed in a circle subtends the opposite arc. So one can rephrase the theorem:

If an angle is incribed in a circle, then the subtended arc angle is twice the angle.
This theorem is true whether the angle is acute or obtuse.

Important special case:


The hypotenuse of a right triangle is a diameter of the circumcircle.
Conversely, if one side of a triangle is a diameter of a circle and the opposite vertex of the triangle is also on the circle,
then that vertex is a right angle.

Two points on a circle divide the circle into two arcs. The longer arc is called the
major arc, and the shorter arc is called the minor arc.
Geometers Sketchpad can measure arc angles in at least three different ways:
(1) If you select a circle and two points on the circle, and choose Arc Angle in the
Measure menu, GSP will measure the minor arc (between 0 and 180 degrees).
(2) If you select a circle and two points on the circle, and choose Arc On Circle in
the Construct menu, GSP will construct the arc that goes counterclockwise from
the first point selected to the second point selected. (This could be the major arc
or the minor arc.) If you select this constructed arc and choose Arc Angle in the Measure menu, GSP will measure the arc
angle of this arc, which could be bigger than 180 degrees or less than 180 degrees.
(3) If you select a circle and three points on the circle, and choose Arc Through 3 Points in the Construct menu, GSP will
construct the arc between the first and last points that goes through the second point. If you select this constructed arc
and choose Arc Angle in the Measure menu, GSP will measure the arc angle of this arc, which could be bigger than 180
degrees or less than 180 degrees.
Illustration of methods (1) and (2):

In class we used method (1) to measure arc angles, so we came up with two different cases of the arc angle theorem,
depending on whether the angle being measured was acute or obtuse. But if we use method (2) or (3) to measure arc
angles, and we make sure to measure the correct arc -- opposite the angle being measured -- then theres no need for
two cases. For example, you could use method (3) and construct a point on the arc using the bisector of the inscribed
angle.

Triangle Theorems
1. The measure of the three angles of a triangle sum to 180. (Theorem*)

In the triangle in the diagram 60 + 70 + 50 = 180

2. An exterior angle of a triangle is equal in measure to the sum of the two interior opposite angles. (Theorem*)
An exterior angle of a triangle is the outside angle formed when a side of a triangle is extended.

In the triangle in the diagram the exterior angle A = Angle B + Angle C.


3. If two sides of a triangle are equal in measure, then the angles opposite these sides are equal in measure. (Theorem*)

This triangle is an isosceles triangle. In the triangle in the diagram the angle A is equal to the angle B.
The converse of the previous statement is also true. If a triangle has two angles equal in measure, then the sides
opposite these angles are equal in measure and the triangle is isosceles.

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