Triangles

A triangle is one of the most fundamental geometric shapes,

defined as a polygon with three edges and three vertices. It is the
simplest polygon and serves as a foundation for many geometrical
concepts and theorems. Triangles come in various types based on
side lengths and angles, such as equilateral, isosceles, and
scalene, or acute, right, and obtuse triangles.
Triangles hold great importance in mathematics and real-world
applications, including engineering, architecture, and design. Their
properties and symmetry make them a vital study area for
understanding shapes and spatial reasoning.

By Aryan Mishra
Similar Figures in Geometry
Definition of Similar Importance in Geometry Application Examples
Figures
Similarity helps us understand Similar figures are used in map
Two figures are similar if one relationships between shapes reading, model making, and
can be obtained from the other and allows comparison without architectural design for scaling
by resizing, without altering the actual measurement. It forms objects accurately and
shape. This means the basis for many proofs and proportionally.
corresponding angles are equal, practical problems.
and corresponding sides are
proportional.
Some Key Points
• that all congruent figures are similar but the similar figures need not be congruent.
• Two polygons of the same number of sides are similar, if (i) their corresponding angles are equal and (ii) their
corresponding sides are in the same ratio (or proportion).
• Two triangles are similar, if (i) their corresponding angles are equal and (ii) their corresponding sides are in
the same ratio (or proportion)
• The ratio of any two corresponding sides in two equiangular triangles is always the same. it is also known as
Thales theorem
Similarity of Triangles
What Makes Triangles Similar? Why It Matters

Triangles are similar if their corresponding angles are Triangle similarity is crucial in solving problems related
equal and their sides are in the same ratio. This means to indirect measurements, construction, and
the shape is identical but scaled up or down. trigonometry.
Theorem on Triangle Similarity
Theorem Theorem

If one angle of a triangle is equal to one angle of the If a line divides any two sides of a triangle in the
other triangle and the sides including these angles are same ratio, then the line is parallel to the third side
proportional, then the two triangles are similar
Criteria for Similarity of
Triangles
1 AAA (Angle-Angle-Angle)
Two triangles are similar if all three pairs of
corresponding angles are equal.

2 SAS (Side-Angle-Side)
If two sides are proportional and the included angle is
equal, the triangles are similar.

3 SSS (Side-Side-Side)
If all corresponding sides are proportional, the
triangles are similar.
Theorem on Similarity Criteria
AAA Criterion SSS Criterion SAS Criterion
If in two triangles, If in two triangles, sides of one If one angle of a triangle is
corresponding angles are equal, triangle are proportional to (i.e., equal to one angle of the other
then their corresponding sides in the same ratio of ) the sides of triangle and the sides including
are in the same ratio (or the other triangle, then their these angles are proportional,
proportion) and hence the two corresponding angles are equal then the two triangles are similar
triangles are similar and hence the two triangles are
similar.
Examples with Solutions
Example 1
Given two triangles with equal angles, find missing side lengths
using the AAA similarity.

Solution
Set up proportions of corresponding sides and solve for the
unknown side. This uses the property that corresponding sides in
similar triangles are proportional.

Example 2
Check triangle similarity using the SAS criterion when two sides
and the included angle are known.

Solution
Verify side ratios and compare angles; if they satisfy the
criterion, triangles are similar.
Practice Questions on Triangle Similarity
1. Given two triangles with angles 40°, 70°, and 70°, show they are similar.
2. Find the length of the missing side if triangles are similar and one side is 8 while the corresponding side is 12.
3. Determine if triangles with sides 3, 4, 5 and 6, 8, 10 are similar using SSS.
4. Using SAS, verify similarity for triangles with sides 5 and 10 and included angle 60°.
5. Prove that the triangle formed by joining midpoints of the sides of a triangle is similar to the original triangle.
Summary
1. Two figures having the same shape but not necessarily the same size are called similar figures.
2. All the congruent figures are similar but the converse is not true.
3. Two polygons of the same number of sides are similar, if (i) their corresponding angles are equal and (ii) their corresponding
sides are in the same ratio (i.e., proportion).
4. 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.
5. If a line divides any two sides of a triangle in the same ratio, then the line is parallel to the third side.
6. If in two triangles, corresponding angles are equal, then their corresponding sides are in the same ratio and hence the two
triangles are similar (AAA similarity criterion).
7. If in two triangles, two angles of one triangle are respectively equal to the two angles of the other triangle, then the two
triangles are similar (AA similarity criterion).
8. If in two triangles, corresponding sides are in the same ratio, then their corresponding angles are equal and hence the
triangles are similar (SSS similarity criterion).
9. If one angle of a triangle is equal to one angle of another triangle and the sides including these angles are in the same ratio
(proportional), then the triangles are similar (SAS similarity criterion).