Similar Triangles Exploration
Similar shapes are shapes that have the same general shape but are different sizes. Use the applet below to explore the properties of similar shapes.
a. What relationships exist between the angle measurements of similar shapes? Will similar shapes always follow this pattern?
b. What relationships exist between the side length measurements of similar shapes?
c. How can you use the scale factor between the shapes to find an unknown length?
d. How can you use the side length measurements of similar shapes to calculate the scale factor?
e. Consider the ratio of two side lengths of a triangle, such as CB/AC. What is the value of this ratio? How does this ratio compare to the ratio of corresponding side lengths on a similar shape, such as FE/DF?