Transformations - EduqasSimilar shapes

When a shape is enlarged, the image is similar to the original shape. It is the same shape but a different size.

These two shapes are similar as they are both rectangles but one is an enlargement of the other.

Similar triangles

Two triangles are similar if the angles are the same size or the corresponding sides are in the same ratio. Either of these conditions will prove two triangles are similar.

Triangle B is an enlargement of triangle A by a scale factor of 2. Each length in triangle B is twice as long as in triangle A.

The two triangles are similar.

Example 1

State whether the two triangles are similar. Give a reason to support your answer.

Yes, they are similar. The two lengths have been increased by a scale factor of 2. The corresponding angle is the same.

Example 2

State whether the two triangles are similar. Give a reason to support your answer.

To decide whether the two triangles are similar, calculate the missing angles.

Remember angles in a triangle add up to 180°.

Yes, they are similar. The three angles are the same.

Example 3

State whether the two triangles are similar. Give a reason to support your answer.

No. The two sides of the triangle are increased by a scale factor of 1.5. The other side has been increased by a scale factor of 2.

Calculating lengths and angles in similar shapes

In similar shapes, the corresponding lengths are in the same ratio. This fact can be used to calculate lengths.

Example

Calculate the length PS.

The scale factor of enlargement is 2.

Length PS is twice as long as length ps.

Similar shapes may be inside one another.

To calculate a missing length, draw the two triangles separately and label the lengths.

To calculate the scale factor, divide the two corresponding lengths.

The scale factor of enlargement is 1.5.