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Solve and find – Level 1
 Example 1: Find the value of ∠P. SSS Similarity criterion If in two triangles, sides
R of one triangles are proportional to the sides of

3√3
A the other triangle, then their corresponding

6√
3 6 angles are equal and hence the two triangles
3 are similar.
C
60°
6 P
B 12 Q

We need to find the measure of unknown angle ∠P. We need to find the similarity
Solution:

criterion for the given triangles and find the corresponding angles.
Then we will be able to find the unknown angle ∠P.
Let us find the similarity criterion first. Since the measure of the sides are given,
let us check for similarity by SSS criterion.
Identify the corresponding sides in both the triangles
In the given ∆BAC, BC is the longest side BC ↔ QP
In the given ∆PRQ, QP is the longest side
Likewise find the corresponding sides with
CA ↔ PR and AB ↔ RQ
the lengths given

Find whether the ratios of the BC CA AB

 
corresponding sides are proportional QP PR RQ
Continued.
 Continuation. SSS Similarity criterion If in two triangles, sides
R of one triangles are proportional to the sides of

3√3
A the other triangle, then their corresponding

6√
3 6 angles are equal and hence the two triangles
3 are similar.
C
60°

°
6

60
P
B 12 Q

Find whether the ratios of the BC CA AB

 
corresponding sides are proportional QP PR RQ

BC 6 1 CA 3 3 1 AB 3 1
By values, the ratios of the sides      
QP 12 2 PR 6 3 2 RQ 6 2
are equal and are in proportion

Triangles are similar by SSS similarity. BC CA AB 1

Write the similarity statement by    
QP PR RQ 2
identifying corresponding vertices.
By SSS similarity, the given triangle BAC is similar to triangle
QRP
Write the symbolic form of statement, ∆BAC ∼ ∆QRP
B = ∠Q = 60°
Let us write the corresponding angles in both triangles ∠A = ∠R = 90°

∠C = ∠P = ?
(given)

Continued.
Continuation.
R
3√3
A

6√
3 6
30°
3
Sum of angles of any triangle = 180°
C
60°
30°

°
6

60
P
B 12 Q

In ∆BAC, by angle sum property, ∠B + ∠A + ∠C = 180°

60° + 90° + ∠C = 180°

150° + ∠C = 180°
∠C = 180° -
150°
∠C = 30°

∠C = 30° ⇒ ∠P =
Since ∆BAC ∼ ∆QRP, corresponding angles of similar triangles are similar

30°

Ans: Measure of ∠P =
30°
Example 2: In the given figure ∆EDC ∼ ∆EBA, find the measure of ∠AEB.
D C
Solution:
70°
We need to find the measure of ∠AEB
Given that ∆EDC is similar to ∆EBA
65°
Since corresponding angles of similar triangles are similar,
let us write the corresponding angles of the given triangles E 115°

In ∆EDC and ∆EBA, the corresponding angles are 65°

, ∠C ↔ , ∠D ↔ ∠B (Note: ∠D = ∠B =
∠E ↔ ∠E
Let us find the measure of ∠DEC
∠A 70°) 70°
A B
BD is a straight line and EC stands on BD.
So ∠BEC and ∠DEC are linear pair of
Sum of linear pair of angles = 180°
angles.
∠BEC + ∠DEC = 180°

Given ∠BEC = 115° 115° + ∠DEC = 180°

Note: In the given triangles, two angles
∠DEC = 180° - 70° and 65° are similar, the third angle
115° must also be equal by AA similarity.

Angles ∠DEC and ∠AEB are vertically opposite angles.

∠DEC = 65°
∠DEC = ∠AEB = 65°
Also they are corresponding angles of similar triangles.
Ans: ∠AEB = 65°
Example 3: In the given figure, ∆ACB ∼ ∆APQ, find the length of AQ.
Solution: P
B

Here ∠A ↔ ∠A
6

∠C ↔ , ∠B ↔
4
A

∠P
It is given that ∆ACB ∼ ∆APQ
∠Q 8
Given CB = 8, AB = 6, PQ = 4 Q
Since the triangles ACB and APQ are similar, their ratio of
C
corresponding sides must be equal (in proportion) by SSS
similarity criterion.
First identify the corresponding sides of both triangles and
equate their proportions to find the unknown length AQ.

Side AC ↔ AP , AB ↔ AQ , CB ↔ PQ

By SSS similarity, the ratio of corresponding sides AC CB AB

 
are equal and are in proportion, so we write AP PQ AQ

Here we have to find the length of AQ so let us equate AC  CB and AB  CB to find AQ

AP PQ AQ PQ

Continued.
 AC CB AB
Continuation. Find the length of AQ.  
AP PQ AQ
P
B
6
Here we have to find the length of AQ 4
AB CB A
so let us equate the ratios AB/ AQ 
and CB/PQ to find AQ AQ PQ 8
Q
6 8
Replace CB = 8, AB = 6, PQ = 4 
AQ 4 C
Cross Multiply
3
Divide both sides by 8 8 x AQ = 24
8 8

Length of AQ = 3 units

Ans: Length of AQ = 3 units

 Introduction to Basic Proportionality Theorem (BPT) or Thales theorem

Theorem 1: If a line is drawn parallel to one side of a triangle to intersect the other two
sides in distinct points, the other two sides are divided in the same ratio.
A

In ∆ABC, DE is a line parallel to side BC and intersects the 3

1 2 E
other two sides AB at point D and AC at point E. Then D

AD AE 1 2

DB EC B C

Here, ∠ABC = ∠ADE = ∠1 (Corresponding angles are equal, because DE ∥ BC)

∠ACB = ∠AED = ∠2 (Corresponding angles are equal, because DE ∥ BC)
∠DAE = ∠BAC = ∠3 (Both triangles ADE and ABC have a common angle A

Since angles are similar in both triangles, by AAA similarity ∆ABC ∼ ∆ADE)
AB AC
The corresponding sides are proportional 
AD AE

Note: We will learn more on the proof and converse of BPT theorem in the respective topic further.
 Example 4: In the given figure, DE ∥ BC and ∆ABC ∼ ∆ADE, then find the length of EC.
Solution: A

and DE ∥ BC, then by AAA similarity, the triangles are

We need to find the length of EC. Given that ∆ABC ∼ ∆ADE,
6 8
similar
Let hence
and EC be xcorresponding sides are in proportion. D E

In ∆ABC and ∆ADE, Side AB ↔ to AD, AC ↔ AE , BC ↔ DE

units. x
9

Note: AB = AD + DB = 6 + 9 = 15
B C
AC = AE + EC = 8 + x
The ratio of the corresponding sides are in AB AC BC
 
proportion, given that the triangles are similar AD AE DE

We need to find the length of EC, so we will AB AC

take the respective ratios and solve 
AD AE
Replace AB = 15 ,AD = 6 15 8  x
 Cross multiply
AC = 8 + x ,AE = 8 6 8
15 x 8 = 6(8 + x)
120 = 48 + 6x
6x = 120 - 48

Divide both sides by 6 6x = 72 12 x = EC = 12 units

Ans: EC = 12 units 6 6
 Try these
1. In the given figure ∆EDC ∼ ∆EBA, find the measure of ∠EAB.
D C
70°

E 120°

A B
2. In the given figure, ∆ABC ∼ ∆ADE, find the length of AE.
C

E
A 8 B
4.5
Continued.
D
 Try these
3. In the given figure, AB ∥ QR and ∆PQR ∼ ∆PAB, then find the length of PB.

PR = 6
A B
3

Q 9 R

Note: Do not go to the next slide till you finish these sums.
 Answers
1. In the given figure ∆EDC ∼ ∆EBA, find the measure of ∠EAB.
D C
70°

Ans: ∠EAB = 50°

E 120°

A B
2. In the given figure, ∆ABC ∼ ∆ADE, find the length of AE.
C

E
Ans: AE = 4 cm

A 8 B
4.5
Continued.
D
 Answers
3. In the given figure, AB ∥ QR and ∆PQR ∼ ∆PAB, then find the length of PB.

PR = 6
A B
3 Ans: PB = 2 cm

Q 9 R