Lesson 8

Similar Triangles

Let’s look at similar triangles.

Problem 1

In each pair, some of the angles of two triangles in degrees are given. Use the information to decide if the triangles are similar or not. Explain how you know.

  • Triangle A: 53, 71, ___; Triangle B: 53, 71, ___

  • Triangle C: 90, 37, ___; Triangle D: 90, 53, ___

  • Triangle E: 63, 45, ____; Triangle F: 14, 71, ____

  • Triangle G: 121, ___, ___; Triangle H: 70, ___, ___

Problem 2

  1. Draw two equilateral triangles that are not congruent.

  2. Measure the side lengths and angles of your triangles. Are the two triangles similar?

  3. Do you think two equilateral triangles will be similar always, sometimes, or never? Explain your reasoning.

Problem 3

In the figure, line \(BC\) is parallel to line \(DE\).

Two triangles. First, A, B C. Then triangle A, D E where D lies on side A, B and E lies on side A, E.

Explain why \(\triangle ABC\) is similar to \(\triangle ADE\).

Problem 4

The quadrilateral \(PQRS\) in the diagram is a parallelogram. Let \(P’Q’R’S’\) be the image of \(PQRS\) after applying a dilation centered at a point O (not shown) with scale factor 3.

Quadrilateral P Q R S on a square grid.

Which of the following is true?

A:

\(P’Q’= PQ\)

B:

\(P’Q’=3PQ\)

C:

\(PQ=3P’Q’\)

D:

Cannot be determined from the information given

(From Unit 2, Lesson 4.)

Problem 5

Describe a sequence of transformations for which Quadrilateral P is the image of Quadrilateral Q.

Two quadrilaterals in an x y plane.
(From Unit 1, Lesson 6.)