Similarity and Congruence

Similarity and
Congruence

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Similarity
SIMILARITY and Congruence
AND CONGRUENCE

If two shapes are congruent, it means thay are equal in every way – all their corresponding sides and
angles are equal. Similar figures have the same shape, but not necessarily the same size. In this book,
it is shown how similar and congruent shapes can be useful in solving problems.

Try to answer these questions now, before working through the chapter.

I used to think:
The symbol for congruent is /. What do you think it means to say TABC / TDEF?

If a square with side length 4cm has been enlarged by a scale factor of 2, then what is the side length of the
large square?

If two triangles are the same except for one angle, are they congruent?

Answer these questions, after working through the chapter.

But now I think:

The symbol for congruent is /. What do you think it means to say TABC / TDEF?

If a square with side length 4cm has been enlarged by a scale factor of 2, then what is the side length of the
large square?

If two triangles are the same except for one angle, are they congruent?

What do I know now that I didn’t know before?

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 Similarity and Congruence Basics

Congruent Triangles (/)

Congruent triangles are shapes that are exactly the same in every way (side lengths and interior angles
are all equal). If even one side or one angle are not equal, then the triangles are not congruent.

Congruent Triangles These triangles are not congruent

B E M
11.4 R 24.5
40c 50c
A 60c 80c D 60c
10 10 7.4 22.6
22.6
7.4 80c 40c 60c 20
Q P 70c
C 11.4 48c
F N P

Angles: +A = +P Sides: AB = PQ
+B = +Q BC = QR Angle is different

+C = +R CA = RP

All sides and angles are equal No angle in TDEF is equal to +N .

therefore triangles are congruent. ` These triangles are NOT congruent.

From above, ∆ABC and ∆PQR are congruent. Using the proper notation, this is written as ∆ABC / ∆PQR. It is
important to make sure the angles match when using the / symbol. Here is an example:

Show that these triangles are congruent

A M

75c 75c
10 14 10 14

65c 40c 65c 40c

B C N P
15 15

In ∆ABC and ∆MNP: +A = +M = 75c AB = MN

+B = +N = 65c angles BC = NP sides
+C = +P = 40c AC = MP

` ∆ABC / ∆MNP
Notice the order of the letters when using /. The equal angles are written in the same order.

Equal angles written in the Equal angles not written in

same order (correct): the same order (incorrect):

TABC / TMNP TABC / TPMN

TBCA / TNPM
TCAB / TPMN
 TCAB / TPNM
TBCA / TMNP

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 Similarity and Congruence Basics

Similar Figures ( ||| )

Similar figures have the same shape, but not necessarily the same size. These shapes are similar.

K
20 cm
B
10 cm J
A
5 cm 9 cm 10 cm
18 cm
D
M
15 cm
C 30 cm
L

Similar figures have two important properties:

• Their corresponding angles are equal.

• Their corresponding sides are in the same ratio. In the above similar shapes, the ratio of the
corresponding sides is 2 since the sides in the bigger shape are double the length in the smaller shape.

These shapes are similar

A 24 cm B
P 8 cm Q
45c
3 cm

S R 135c
D 18 cm C

a Find the length of AD. b Find the size of +B .

PQRS and ABCD are similar. PQRS and ABCD are similar.

` AD = AB ` +B = +Q
PS PQ
AD 24 ` +B = 45c
` =
3 8
` AD = 9cm

c Find the size of +R . d Find the size of RS.

PQRS and ABCD are similar. PQRS and ABCD are similar.
PQ
` +R = +C ` RS =
DC AB
` +R = 135c
` RS = 8
18 24
` RS = 6cm

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 Similarity and Congruence Questions Basics

1. Show these triangles are congruent, and then use / symbol to state congruency.

T A D
a F b
10
14 10 E 8 13 13 13

14
V U G 67c 67c 67c
8 B C E F
10 10

c A D d P
M 12 K
95c 23c
23c
12 13 5
60c 25c 25c 13
C B F E 67c
67c
R Q L
5

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 Similarity and Congruence Questions Basics

2. Find the missing values in these similar shapes (all measurements in cm):

a D P b A P
6 6
85c 110c T 3
7 E 9
110c E 14 130c
G 95c
Q Q
9 12 150c B
10 70c S 100c
S
F D 15 50c
R
18
R C

PQ = QR = PT = ST =

RS = +P = +D = +P =

+S = +Q = QR = +C =

c L C d E F M

4 K N
J
40c B
A
H G
8 15 5

M 12 L
45c

D K

LM = AB = Given LM = 2 . Find the length of KN.

EF

+M = +A =

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 Similarity and Congruence Knowing More

Testing for Congruent Triangles

Congruent triangles have all 3 corresponding sides equal, and all 3 corresponding angles equal – that is 6 properties.
However, there are tests for congruent triangles that don’t require showing all 6 properties. There are four tests:

Side Side Side (SSS) Side Angle Side (SAS)

If the corresponding sides of two If 2 sides and the included angle are
triangles are equal, then the triangles are respectively equal, then the triangles are
congruent (SSS). congruent (SAS).
B Q B M

A C P R A C L N

In ∆ABC and ∆PQR: In ∆ABC and ∆LMN:

AB = PQ AB = LM
BC = QR +A = +L
AC = PR AC = LN

TABC / TPQR (SSS) TABC / TLMN (SAS)

Side Angle Angle (SAA) Right Angle, Hypotenuse, Side (RHS)

If 2 corresponding sides and a corresponding If two right angled triangles have the same
angle are equal, then the triangles are hypotenuse, and a corresponding side, then the
congruent (SAA). triangles are congruent (RHS).
A K A N

B L

C M C B M O

In ∆ABC and ∆KLM: In ∆ABC and ∆NOM:

AB = KL AC = NM
+A = +K AB = NO
+C = +M +C = +M = 90c

TABC / TKLM (SAA) TABC / TNOM (RHS)

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Here are some examples:

Show that these triangles are congruent:

a L I In TIJK

62c +J = 180c - 93c - 62c (Angle sum of triangle)

93c M
= 25c
K 93c
25c
12 cm 12 cm
` +N = +J (Both are 25c )

N J
In TLMN and TIJK :

+N = +J (Proved above)

+M = +K = 93c (Given)

MN = KJ = 12cm (Given)

` TLMN / TIKJ (SAA)

b E In TDEF and TGEF :

DF = GF (Given)

DE = GE (Given)
D G EF is common

F
` TDEF / TGEF (SSS)

Here is an example where congruence is used to show something is true.

Show that BD bisects + ABC in the diagram below

B In TABD and TCBD :

AB = BC (Given)

BD is common
A C
D
+ADB = +CDB = 90c (Given)

` +ABD / +CBD (RHS)

` +ABD = +CBD (Congruent triangles, TABD / TCBD )

` BD bisecting +ABC

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 Similarity and Congruence Knowing More

Similar Triangles ( ||| )

There are two ways to show that triangles are similar:

• Show that their corresponding sides are in proportion.

• Show that they have equal angles (AAA).

If two triangles are similar, the symbol |||  is used.

Show that these triangles are similar:

a A In ∆ABC:
78c
+ C = 180c - 58c - 78c = 44c (Angle sum of a triangle)

In ∆GHI:
58c
B C + G = 180c - 58c - 44c = 78c (Angle sum of a triangle)

H
44c
In ∆ABC and ∆GHI:
G
+C = +H (Both are 44c )

58c +A = +G (Both are 78c )

I +B = +I (Both are 58c )

` ∆ABC |||  ∆GIH (AAA)

b R
In ∆QRS and ∆TUV:
12
TU = 18 = 3
Q 22 RQ 12 2

18 UV = 33 = 3
RS 22 2
S
TV = 27 = 3
QS 18 2
U

c m
` All sides in proportion TU = UV = TV
18 RQ RS QS

` ∆QRS |||  ∆TUV
T 33

27

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 Similarity and Congruence Questions Knowing More

1. Explain what the following mean:

a /

b SSS

c SAS

d SAA

e RHS

f ||| 

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2. Prove these triangles are congruent:

a
C E

5
5

B
A 4

F 3 D

b B

A
C

c P S R
75c 75c

75c
M N Q

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3. In the diagram below, show that ∆BCD  |||  ∆ACE.

C

B D

A E

4. Prove that ∆JKL  |||  ∆STU.

J T

8
15

L 6 K

S U
12

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 Similarity and Congruence Using Our Knowledge

Scale Factor in Similar Triangles

When triangles are similar, their angles are equal (AAA) and their corresponding sides are in proportion. The ratio
that their sides are in proportion is called the Scale Factor. A Scale Factor either enlarges (scales up) or reduces
(scales down).
G

A
D 8
2 1 4 12
3 Scale factor = 6 Scale factor =2
E 2
4 F B
8 C H
16
I

In ∆ABC and ∆DEF: In ∆ABC and ∆GHI:

DF = 3 = 1 GI = 12 = 2
AC 6 2 AC 6
EF = 4 = 1 scale factor of HI = 16 = 2 scale factor of
BC 8 2 ∆DEF to ∆ABC BC 8 ∆GHI to ∆ABC

DE = 2 = 1 GH = 8 = 2
AB 4 2 AB 4

` TABC ||| TDEF ` TABC ||| TGHI

If the scale factor is bigger than 1, the triangle is enlarged. If the scale factor is between 0 and 1 (decimal or fraction),
the triangle is reduced.

Show these triangles are similar and find their scale factor of ∆PQR to ∆LMN

L
6cm In ∆LMN and ∆PQR:
PQ
N = 21 = 3
7cm LM 7
3cm
QR
= 9 =3
M MN 3
P RP = 18 = 3
NL 6
18cm
` ∆LMN |||  ∆PQR (Corresponding sides are in proportion)

R
PQ QR
21cm = = RP = 3
LM MN NL
9cm
` The scale factor of ∆PQR to ∆LMN is 3.

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Using Similar Triangles

If triangles are known to be similar, then the properties of similar triangles can be used to solve problems.

Find the values of x and y if ∆ABC  |||  ∆TUV (all measurements in cm)

A
In ∆ABC and ∆TUV:

x
10
To find x:

C AC = AB (Similar triangles, ∆ABC  ||| ∆TUV)

5 TV TU
B

` x = 10
T 18 30

` x = 18 # 10
30
18
30 ` x = 6cm

V
To find y:
y

U UV = TU (Similar triangles, ∆ABC  ||| ∆TUV)

BC AB
y
` = 30
5 10

` y = 5 # 30
10

` y = 15cm

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 Similarity and Congruence Questions Using Our Knowledge

1. Find the scale factor in these pairs of similar triangles for both the smaller and larger triangles:

a Given ∆RST  |||  ∆UVW.

R
35
S

50 25

T
U 7
V

10 5

b Given ∆ABE  |||  ∆ACD.

C
4

D
E 3
A 6

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2. Answer these questions about the diagram below:

J

10 12

N K
8
5
M L

a Show that ∆JML |||  ∆JNK.

b Find the length of KL.

c Find the length of ML.

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3. Answer these questions about the shape below:

F
8 6 25 J
G
H 10

I
a Show that ∆GFH |||  ∆GIJ.

b Find the length of GI.

c Find the length of IJ.

d Find the scale factor of the larger triangle with respect to the small triangle.

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Using Congruence and Similarity in Proofs

Congruence and similarity are used to prove properties of triangles, quadrilaterals and other shapes.

Show that the diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other

Draw in diagonals (AC and BD) in the parallelogram ABCD:

A B

O Given: AB || CD
AB = CD
D C AD || BC
AD = BC

To prove: AO = OC and BO = OD

Proof: In ∆AOB and ∆COD

AB || CD (Given)

` +CAB = +DCA (Alternate angles; AB || CD)

and +ABD = +BDC (Alternate angles; AB || CD)

AB = CD (Given)

` TAOB / TCOD (SAA)

` AO = OC and BO = OD (Congruent triangles; TAOB / TCOD )

` The diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other.

Similarity can also be used in proofs.

In the diagram below, prove that BE || CD if AB = AE

AC AD
A
Given: AB = AE
AC AD

E To prove: BE || CD

B D
Proof: In ∆ABE and ∆ACD

AB = AE (Given)
C AC AD
` TABE / TACD (Corresponding sides in proportion)

` ACD / TABE (Similar triangles; TABE ||| TACD )

` BE || CD (Given)

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 Similarity and Congruence Questions Thinking More

1. Answer these questions about PQRS below given that PQ = RS and PR = QS:
P Q

R S

a Prove ∆PRS / ∆SQP.

b Prove PQRS is a parallelogram (PQ || RS and PS || QR).

c Prove that the opposite angles of a parallelogram are equal.

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2. ∆KLM is an iscosceles triangle with KL = KM .

K

M L
N

a KN has been drawn to bisect ML. Show that ∆KMN / ∆KLN.

b Show that + MNK = + LNK = 90c.

c Prove that + M = + L.

3. In ∆DEF, + F = + E, if the line GD bisects + FDE. Prove ∆DEF is isosceles.

G
E F

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4. Prove the following about the Rhombus STUV below:

S

U
a ∆VOS / ∆TOU

b ∆SOT / ∆UOV

c Show that the diagonals bisect each other.

d Show that the diagonals bisect at 90c.

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 Similarity and Congruence Answers

Basics: Knowing More:

2. a PQ = 12cm QR = 18cm 1. e RHS means Right Angle, Hypotenuse, Side.
It is one of the four tests that can be used
RS = 20cm +P = 85c to prove two triangles are congruent.
If two right angle triangles have equal
+S = 95c +Q = 110c hypotenuse and an equal corresponding
side, then the triangles are congruent.

b PT = 2cm ST = 4cm f |||  symbol

means is similar to. It is used to
show two triangles have the same shape
+D = 100c +P = 110c (corresponding angles are equal and
corresponding sides are in proportion).
QR = 5cm +C = 50c

Using Our Knowledge:

c LM = 10cm AB = 2 2 cm
3
1. a Scale factor from ∆RST  to ∆UVW is 1
5
+M = 45c +A = 40c
Scale factor from ∆UVW to ∆RST is 5

d KN = 10cm b Scale factor from ∆ABE to ∆ACD is 1 1

2
Scale factor from ∆ACD to ∆ABE is 2
3
Knowing More:
1. a / symbol means is congruent to. It is used 2. b KL = 6cm
to show two triangles are exactly the same
in every way (corresponding sides equal c ML = 12cm
and corresponding angles equal).

b SSS means Side, Side, Side. It is one of 3. b GI = 15cm

the four tests that can be used to prove
two triangles are congruent. If the c IJ = 20cm
corresponding sides of two triangles are
equal, then the triangles are congruent. d Scale factor from ∆GFH to ∆GIJ is 2 1
2
c SAS means Side, Angle, Side. It is one of
the four tests that can be used to prove
two triangles are congruent. If two sides
and the included angle of two triangles are
equal, then the triangles are congruent.

d SAA means Side, Angle, Angle. It is one

of the four tests that can be used to
prove two triangles are congruent. If a
corresponding side and two corresponding
angles of two triangles are equal, then the
triangles are congruent.

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 Similarity and Congruence Notes

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 Similarity and Congruence

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