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MATH 01310 · College Geometry

MATH 01310 · Proof & congruence/similarity

Similarity & proportions

Definition

Similar triangles have equal corresponding angles and proportional corresponding sides. AA is the usual similarity criterion. Side ratios create proportions for missing lengths.

Read this

Write correspondence carefully: △ABC ~ △DEF means AB/DE = BC/EF = CA/FD.

Parallel line in a triangle creates similar triangles (and intercept proportions).

Altitude to the hypotenuse in a right triangle yields three similar right triangles — classic proportion factory.

Drill with flashcards

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Try this

Attempt each problem first, then open the worked solution.

  1. 1.Use AA to set up a proportion and solve for a missing side.