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Chapter –8
Similar Triangles

Key Concepts:

1.A polygon in which all sides and angles are equal is called a regular polygon.

2. Properties of similar Triangles:

a) Corresponding sides are in the same ratio

b) Corresponding angles are equal

3.All regular polygons having the same number of sides are always similar

4.All squares and equilateral triangles are similar.

5.All congruent figures are similar but all similar figures need not be congruent.

6.Thales Theorem (Basic proportionality Theorem): If a line is drawn parallel to one side
of a triangle to intersect the other two sides in distinct points, then the other two sides are
divided in the same ratio.

7.If a line divides two sides of a triangle in the same ratio. Then the line is parallel to the
third side.

8.AAA criterion for similarity: In two triangles, if the angles are equal, then the sides
opposite to the equal angles are in the same ratio (or proportional) and hence the two
triangles are similar.

9.SSC criterion for similarity: if in two triangles the sides of one triangle are proportional
to the sides of the other triangle, then their corresponding angles are equal and hence
the triangles are similar.

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10.SAS criterion for similarity: if one angle of a triangle is equal to one angle of the other
triangle and the sides including these angles are proportional, then the two triangles are
similar.

If the areas of two similar triangles are equal, then they are congruent.
11.If

12.Pythagoras
ythagoras theorem (Baudhayan Theorem): In a right angle triangle,
triangle the square of
hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.

Short Questions

AD 3
1. In ∆ABC, DE//BC and = , AC = 5.6. Find AE.
DB 5

Sol: In ∆ABC, DE//BC

AD AE
⇒ =
DB EC (By Thales Theorem)

AD 3 AE 3
= ( Given ) , so =
DB 5 EC 5

Given AC = 5.6; AE : EC = 3:5

3

AE 3
=
AC − AE 5

AE 3
=
5.6 − AE 5

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5AE = 3 (5.6 - AE) (cross multiplication)

8AE = 16.8

16.8
⇒ AE = = 2.1cm
8

2.In a trapezium ABCD, AB//DC. E and F are points on non – parallel sides AD and
AE BF
BC respectively such that EF//AB show that ED = FC .

A. Let us join AC to intersect EF at G.

AB//DC and EF//AB (Given)

⇒EF//DC (Lines parallel to the same line are parallel to each other)

In ∆ABC, EG//DC

AE AG
So, ED = GC (By Thales Theorem) → (1)

Similarly In ∆CAB GF//AB

CG CF
=
GA FB (By Thales Theorem)

AG BF
= 
→ (2)
GC FC

From (1) and (2)

AE BF
=
ED FC

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3.Prove
Prove that in two triangles, if the angles are equal, then the sides opposite to the
equal angles are in the same ratio (or proportional) and hence the two triangles are
similar.

Sol: Given: In triangles ABC and DEF

∠A = ∠D, ∠B = ∠E
E and ∠C = ∠F

AB BC AC
RTP: DE = EF = DF

Construction: locate
ocate points P and Q on DE and DF respectively such that AB = DP
and AC = DQ. Join PQ.

Proof: ∆ABC ≅ ∆DPQ

∠B = ∠P = ∠E
E and PQ//EF

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DP DQ
=
PE QF

AB AC
i.e =
DE DF

AB BC AB BC AC
Similarly DE = EF and so DE = EF = DF

Hence proved

4. Prove that if the areas of two similar triangles are equal then they are
congruent.

Sol: ∆ABC ∼ ∆PQR

2 2 2
ar (∆ABC )  AB   BC   AC 
So =  =  = 
ar (∆PQR)  PQ   QR   PR 

ar (∆ABC )
But ar (∆PQR) = 1 (areas are equal)

2 2 2
 AB   BC   AC 
  =  =  =1
 PQ   QR   PR 

So AB2 = PQ2; BC2 = QR2; AC2 = PR2

From which we get AB= PQ, BC = QR, AC = PR

∴ ∆ABC ≅ ∆PQR (by SSS congruency)

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5.In a right angle triangle the square of hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the
squares of the other two sides (Pythagoras theorem, (BAUDHAYAN THEOREM)).

Sol: Given: ∆ABC

ABC is a right angle triangle

RTP: Ac2 = AB2 + BC2

Construction: Draw BD ⊥ AC

Proof: ∆ADB ∼ ∆ABC

AD AB
=
AB AC (sides are proportional)

AD.AC = AB2 → (1)

Also ∆BDC ∼ ∆ABC

ABC

CD BC
⇒ =
BC AC

CD.AC = BC2→ (2)

(1) + (2)

AD.AC + CD.AC = AB2 +BC2

AC (AD + CD) = AB2 +BC2

AC.AC = AB2+BC2

AC2 = AB2 + BC2

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6.The
The ratio of the areas of two similar triangles is equal to the ratio of the squares
of their corresponding sides.

Sol: Given: ∆ABC ∼ ∆PQR

2 2 2
ar (∆ABC)  AB   BC   AC 
RPT: ar (∆PQR) =  PQ  =  QR  =  RP 
   

Construction: Draw AM ⊥ BC and PN ⊥ QR

1
× BC × AM
ar (∆ABC ) 2 BC × AM
=
Proof: ar (∆PQR) 1 = 
→(1)
× QR × PN QR × PN
2

In ∆ABM & ∆PQN

∠B = ∠Q (∵∆ABC ∼ ∆PQR)
∆

∠M = ∠N = 90°

∴ ∆ABM ~ ∆PQN (by AA similarity)

AM AB
= 
→(2)
PN PQ

also ∆ABC & ∆PQR

PQR (Given)

AB BC AC
= = 
→(3)
PQ QR PR

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ar (∆ABC ) AB AB
= × [ now(1),(2) & (3)]
ar (∆PQR) PQ PQ

2
 AB 
= 
 PQ 

Now by using (3), we get

2 2 2
ar (∆ABC)  AB   BC   AC 
=  =  =  Hence proved
ar (∆PQR)  PQ   QR   PR 

7.Prove that the sum of the squares of the sides of a Rhombus is equal to the sum &
squares of its diagonals.

Sol: in rhombus ABCD

AB = BC = CD = DA and

Diagonals of rhombus perpendicularly bisect each other at ‘o’

A
So, OA = OC ⇒ OA = 2

BD
OB = OD ⇒ OD =
2

In ∆AOD, ∠AOD = 90°

AD2 = OA2 + OD2 (Pythagoras Theorem)

2 2
 AC   BD 
=  + 
 2   2 

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AC 2 BD2
= +
4 4

AC 2 + BD2
AD =2
4

4AD2 = AC2 + BD2

AD 2 + AD2 + AD2 + AD2 = AC2 + BD2

But AB = BC = CD = AD (Given)

∴AB2 + BC2 + CD2 + DA2 = AC2 + BD2

8.Prove that a linee drawn through the mid-point

mid point of one side of a triangle parallel to
another side bisects
ts the third side (using basic proportionality theorem)

Sol: Given: In ∆ABC,

ABC, D is the mid-point
mid of AB and DE//BC

To prove: AE = CE

Proof: by Thales theorem

AD AE
= 
→(1)
DB EC

But D is the mid – point of AB

⇒AD = DB

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AD
=1
DB

From (1) we get

AE
=1
EC

AE = CE

∴AC iss bisected by the parallel line

9.Prove
Prove that the ratio of areas of two similar
similar triangles is equal to the square of the ratio
of their corresponding medians.

Sol: Given: ∆ABC ∼ ∆DEF

DEF and AM and DN are their corresponding medians.

ar (∆ABC ) AM 2
To prove: =
ar (∆DEF ) DN 2

Proof: It is given that ∆ABC

ABC ∼ ∆DEF

By the theorem an areas of similarity triangles

ar (∆ABC ) AB2
=
ar (∆DEF ) DE 2

AB 2 BC 2 AC 2
= = 
→(1)
DE 2 EF 2 DE 2

AB BC 2BM BM
Also = = =
DE EF 2EN EN

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AB BM
⇒ =
DE EN

Clearly ∠ABM = ∠DEN

SAS similarity criterion,

∆ABC ∼ ∆DEF

AB AM
= 
→(2)
DE DN

From (1) and (2) we get

ar (∆ABC ) AM 2
=
ar (∆DEF ) DN 2

Hence proved

10.A person 1.65m tall casts 1.8m shadow. At the

the same instance, a lamp-
lamp posts casts a
shadow of 5.4m.. Find the height of the lamppost?

Sol: In ∆ABC and ∆PQR

∠B = ∠Q = 90°

∠C = ∠R
R AC//PR, (all sun’s rays are parallel at any instance)

∆ABC ∼ ∆PQR (by AA similarly)

AB BC
= (corresponding parts of similar triangles )
PQ QR

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1.65 1.8
=
PQ 5.4

1.65 × 54
PQ = = 4.95m
1.8

Height of the lamp post = 4.95m.

11. The perimeters of two similar triangles are 30cm and 20cm respectively. If one
side of the first triangle is 12cm, determine the corresponding side of the
second triangle

Sol: Let the corresponding side of the second triangle be x m

We know that,

The ratio of perimeters of similar triangles = ratio of corresponding sides

30 12
⇒ = ⇒ x = 8cm
20 x

∴ Corresponding side of the second triangle = 8cm

12. ∆ABC ∼ ∆DEF and their areas are respectively 64cm2 and 121cm2 If
EF =15.4 cm, Then Find BC.

ar ( ∆ABC )  BC 2
Sol: = 
ar ( ∆DEF )  EF 

2
64  BC 
= 
121  15.4 

8 BC 15.4 × 8
= ⇒ BC = = 11.2cm
11 15.4 11

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∆ABC ∼ ∆DEF, BC = 3cm, EF = 4cm and area of ∆ABC = 54cm

13.∆ Determine the
area of ∆DEF.

Sol: ∆ABC ∼ ∆DEF BC = 3cm, EF = 4cm

Area of ∆ABC = 54cm2

By the theorem on areas of similar triangles,

ar ( ∆ABC ) BC 2
=
ar ( ∆DEF ) EF 2

54 cm2 9cm2
=
ar ( ∆DEF ) 16cm2

∴ Area of ∆DEF = 96 cm2

14.The areas of two similar triangles are 81cm2 and 49 cm2 respectively. If the altitude
of the bigger triangle is 4.5cm. Find the corresponding altitude of the similar triangle.

Sol: We know that the ratio of areas of two similar triangles is equal to square of the
ratio of their corresponding altitudes

2
area of bigger triangle  altitudeof bigger triangle 
⇒ = 
area of smaller triangle  altitudeof smaller triangle 

2
81  4.5 
⇒ =  ⇒ x = 3.5cm
49  x 

Corresponding altitude of the smaller triangle = 3.5cm.

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15.A
A ladder 25m long reaches a window of building 20m above the ground. Determine
the distance of the foot of the ladder from the building.

Sol: In ∆ABC, ∠C = 90°

AB2 = AC2 + BC2 (By Pythagoras Theorem)

252 = 202 + BC2

BC2 = 625 – 400 = 225m

BC = √225 = 15m

∴The
The distance of the foot of the ladder from the building is 15m.

16.The
The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 6m more than
than twice of the shortest side if the
third side is 2m less than the hypotenuse.
hypotenuse. Find the sides of the triangle.

Sol: Let the shortest side be x m

Then hypotenuse = (2x + 6) m, third side = (2x + 4)m

By Pythagoras Theorem we have

(2x + 6)2 = x2 + (2x + 4)2

4x2 + 36 + 24x = x2 + 4x2 + 16 + 16x

x2 – 8x – 20 = 0

(x - 10) (x + 2) ⇒ x = +10, x = -2

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But x can’t be negative as side of a triangle

x = 10m

Hence the sides of the triangle are 10m, 26m, 24m.

17. Prove that three times the square of any side of an equilateral triangle is
equal to four times the square of altitude

Sol: In ∆ABC, AB = BC = CA, AD ⊥ BC

To prove: 3AB2 = 4AD2

Proof: we have AB = AC (Given)

AD = AD (common side)

∠ADB = ∠ADC (Given)

∆ADB ≅ ∆ADC (RHS congruently property)

1 1
⇒ BD = CD = BC = AB
2 2

∆ ADB is right triangle

By Baudhayana Theorem

AB2 = AD2 + BD2

2
1  1
= AD +  AB  = AD2 + AB2
2
2  4

1
AD2 = AB2 − AB2
4

1 2
AD2 = AB
4

3 AB2 = 4AD2 Hence proved

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Essay Type Questions

1.Prove that if a linee is drawn parallel to one side of a triangle to intersect the other
two sides in distinct points then the other two sides are divided in the same Ratio
(proportionality theorem / Thales Theorem).

Sol: Given: In ∆ABC,

ABC, DE//BC which intersects sides AB and AC at D and E
respectively

AD AE
RTP: =
DB EC

Construction: Join B, E and C, D and then draw

DM ⊥ AC and EN ⊥ AB

1
Proof: Area of ∆ADE = × AD × EN
2

1
Area of ∆BDE = × BD × EN
2

1
× AD × EN
Area of ∆ADE 2 AD
SO = = 
→(1)
Area of ∆BDE 1 × BD × EN BD
2

1
Again Area of ∆ADE
ADE = × AE × DM
2

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1
Area of ∆CDE
CDE = × EC × DM
2

1
ar ( ∆ABE ) × AE × DM
AE
=2 = → ( 2)

ar ( ∆CDE ) 1 × EC × DM CE
2

Observe that ∆BDE

BDE and ∆CDE are onn the same base DE and between same
parallels BC and DE

CDE) → (3)
So ar (∆BDE) = ar (∆CDE)

From (1) (2) & (3) we have

AD AE
=
DB CE

Hence proved

2.In
In the given figure LM//AB AL = x – 3, AC = 2x, BM = x – 2 and BC = 2x + 3
find the value of x.

Sol: in ∆ABC, LM//AB

AL BM
⇒ = (By Thales Theorem)
LC MC

x −3 x−2
=
2 x − ( x − 3) (2 x + 3) − ( x − 2)

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x −3 x −2
= (cross multiplication)
( x + 3) x + 5

(x - 3) (x + 5) = (x - 2) (x + 3)

x2 + 2x – 15 = x2 + x – 6

2x – x = -6 + 15 ⇒x
⇒ = 9.

3. What values of x will make DE//AB in the given figure.

Sol: In ∆ABC, DE//AB

CD CE
=
AD CB

x+3 x
=
8 x + 9 3x + 4

(x + 3) (3x + 4) = x (8x + 9)

3x2 + 13x + 12 = 8x2 + 9x

5x2 – 4x – 12 = 0

−6
(x – 2) (5x + 6) = 0 ⇒x = 2; x =
5

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4.In ∆ABC, DE//BC, AD = x, DB = x - 2, AE = x + 2 and EC = x – 1 Find value of x.

Sol: In ∆ABC, DE//BC

AD AE
= (by thales theorem)
PB AC

x x+2
=
x − 2 x −1

x(x - 1) = (x + 2) (x - 2)

x2 – x = x2 – 4⇒ x = 4.

PS PT
5.In ∆PQR, ST is a linee such that = and ∠PST = ∠PRQ prove that
t
SQ TR

∆PQR is isosceles triangle.

PS PT
Sol: In ∆PQR, ST is a linee such that = and ∠PST = ∠PRQ
SQ TR

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By the converse theorem of Thales,

ST//QR

⇒ PST = PQR (corresponding angles) → (1)

PQR = PRQ (Given) → (2)

From (1) and (2) we get

PST = PRQ

⇒ PQ = QR (sides opposite to the equal angles)

∴ ∆ PQR is an isosceles triangle

6.Prove
Prove that a line drawn through the mid-point
mid point of one side of a Triangle parallel to
another side bisects
ts the third side (using basic proportionality theorem)

Sol: In ∆ABC, D is the mid-point

point of AB and DE//BC

To prove: AE = EC

AD AE
= (By Thales theorem) → (1)
DB EC

But D is the mid-point

point of AB

⇒ AD = DB

AD
=1
DB

AE
=1
EC from (1)

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⇒ AE = EC

AC is bisected by the parallel line.

One Mark Questions

1. Define regular polygon?

A. A polygon in which all sides and angles are equal is called a regular polygon.

2. Write the properties of similar triangles?

A. Corresponding sides are in the same ratio corresponding angles are equal

3. Which figures are called similar figures?

A. The geometrical figures which have same shape but not same size.

4. Which figures are called congruent figures?

A. The geometrical figures which have same size and same shape.

5. When do you say that two triangles are similar?

A. Two triangles are said to be similar if their

i) Corresponding angles are equal

ii) Corresponding sides are in the same ratio.

6. Sides of two similar triangles are in the ratio 2:3. Find the ratio of the areas of
the triangle

A. 4:9

7. Write the basic proportionality theorem.

A. If a line is drawn parallel to one side of a triangle to intersect the other two sides in
distinct points, then the other two sides are divided in the same ratio.
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8. Write the converse of basic proportionality theorem.

A. If a line divides two sides of a triangle in the same ratio, then the line is parallel
to the third side

9. Write AAA axiom.

A. In two triangles, if the angles are equal, then the sides opposite to the equal angles
are in the same ratio (or proportion) and hence the two triangles are similar.

10. Write SSS criterion

A. If in two triangles the sides of one triangle are proportional to the sides of the other
triangle, then their corresponding angles are equal and hence the triangles are
similar.

11. Write SAS criterion.

A. If one angle of a triangle is equal to one angle of another triangle and the sides
including these angles are proportional, then the two triangles are similar.

12. State Pythagoras theorem

A. In a right triangle, the square of hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the
other two sides.

13. Which is the longest side in a right triangle?

A. Hypotenuse

14. If the side of an equilateral triangle is ‘a’ then find height?

3
A. a units
2

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Fill in the Blanks

1. In ∆ABC if ∠D = 90° and BD ⊥ AC then BD2= ________

2. All squares and equilateral triangles are _______
3. Example of similar figures is _________________
4. Example of non similar figures is _______________
5. If a line divides two sides of a triangle in the same ratio. Then the line is parallel
to the ___________
6. In ∆ABC, BC2 + AB2 = AC2 Then ________ is a right angle
7. If D is the midpoint of BC in ∆ABC then AB2 + AC2 =____________
8. In ∆ABC, D and E are mid points of AB and AC then DE : BC is _________.
9. The diagonal of a square is ____ times to its side
10. If ABC ~ PQR Than AB : AC ________
11. The ratio of corresponding sides of two similar triangles is 3 : 4 Then the ratio of
their areas is ____________
12. Basic proportionality theorem is also known as ________ theorem
13. Area of an equilateral triangle is____________
14. ______________ is the longest side of right angled triangle.

Key

1) AD.DC; 2) Similar; 3) Bangles if different sizes, any two squares;

4) Any two walls, square and rhombus; 5) Third side; 6) ∠B;

7) 2AD2 + 2BD2; 8) 1 :2; 9) √2; 10) PQ : PR; 11) 9 : 16;

3 2
12) Thales; 13) a ; 14) Hypotenuse.
4

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