Aa Sss and Sas Similarity

AA,SSS and SAS similarity
Warm Up
Solve each proportion.
1. 2. 3.
z = ±10 x=8
4. If ∆QRS ~ ∆XYZ, identify the pairs of congruent
angles and write 3 proportions using pairs of
corresponding sides.
Q  X; R  Y; S  Z;
Objectives
Prove certain triangles are similar by
using AA, SSS, and SAS.
Use triangle similarity to solve problems.
There are several ways to prove certain triangles are
similar. The following postulate, as well as the SSS
and SAS Similarity Theorems, will be used in proofs
just as SSS, SAS, ASA, HL, and AAS were used to
prove triangles congruent.
Example 1: Using the AA Similarity Postulate
Explain why the triangles

are similar and write a
similarity statement.
Since , B  E by the Alternate Interior

Angles Theorem. Also, A  D by the Right Angle
Congruence Theorem. Therefore ∆ABC ~ ∆DEC by
AA~.
Check It Out! Example 1
Explain why the triangles

are similar and write a
similarity statement.
By the Triangle Sum Theorem, mC = 47°, so C 

F. B  E by the Right Angle Congruence Theorem.
Therefore, ∆ABC ~ ∆DEF by AA ~.
Example 2A: Verifying Triangle Similarity
Verify that the triangles are similar.
∆PQR and ∆STU
Therefore ∆PQR ~ ∆STU by SSS ~.

Example 2B: Verifying Triangle Similarity
Verify that the triangles are similar.

∆DEF and ∆HJK
D  H by the Definition of Congruent Angles.
Therefore ∆DEF ~ ∆HJK by SAS ~.

Verify that ∆TXU ~ ∆VXW.
TXU  VXW by the

Vertical Angles Theorem.
Therefore ∆TXU ~ ∆VXW by SAS ~.

Example 3: Finding Lengths in Similar Triangles
Explain why ∆ABE ~ ∆ACD, and

then find CD.
Step 1 Prove triangles are similar.
A  A by Reflexive Property of , and B  C

since they are both right angles.
Therefore ∆ABE ~ ∆ACD by AA ~.

Example 3 Continued
Step 2 Find CD.
Corr. sides are proportional.

Seg. Add. Postulate.
Substitute x for CD, 5 for BE,

3 for CB, and 9 for BA.
x(9) = 5(3 + 9) Cross Products Prop.
9x = 60 Simplify.
Divide both sides by 9.

Explain why ∆RSV ~ ∆RTU

and then find RT.
Step 1 Prove triangles are similar.
It is given that S  T.

R  R by Reflexive Property of .
Therefore ∆RSV ~ ∆RTU by AA ~.

Check It Out! Example 3 Continued
Step 2 Find RT.

Substitute RS for 10, 12 for
TU, 8 for SV.
RT(8) = 10(12) Cross Products Prop.
8RT = 120 Simplify.
RT = 15 Divide both sides by 8.

Example 4: Writing Proofs with Similar Triangles
Given: 3UT = 5RT and 3VT = 5ST

Prove: ∆UVT ~ ∆RST
Example 4 Continued
Statements Reasons
1. 3UT = 5RT 1. Given
2. 2. Divide both sides by 3RT.
3. 3VT = 5ST 3. Given.
4. 4. Divide both sides by3ST.
5. RTS  VTU 5. Vert. s Thm.

6. ∆UVT ~ ∆RST 6. SAS ~ Steps 2, 4, 5
Given: M is the midpoint of JK. N is the

midpoint of KL, and P is the midpoint of JL.
Check It Out! Example 4 Continued
Statements Reasons
1. M is the mdpt. of JK, 1. Given
N is the mdpt. of KL,
and P is the mdpt. of JL.
2. 2. ∆ Midsegs. Thm
3. 3. Div. Prop. of =.
4. ∆JKL ~ ∆NPM 4. SSS ~ Step 3

Example 5: Engineering Application
The photo shows a gable roof. AC || FG.

∆ABC ~ ∆FBG. Find BA to the nearest tenth
of a foot.
From p. 473, BF  4.6 ft.
BA = BF + FA
 6.3 + 17
 23.3 ft
Therefore, BA = 23.3 ft.

What if…? If AB = 4x, AC = 5x, and BF = 4, find FG.
Substitute given quantities.
4x(FG) = 4(5x) Cross Prod. Prop.

FG = 5 Simplify.
You learned in Chapter 2 that the Reflexive,
Symmetric, and Transitive Properties of Equality
have corresponding properties of congruence.
These properties also hold true for similarity of
triangles.
Lesson Quiz
1. Explain why the triangles are

similar and write a similarity
statement.
2. Explain why the triangles are

similar, then find BE and CD.
Lesson Quiz
1. By the Isosc. ∆ Thm., A  C, so by the def.

of , mC = mA. Thus mC = 70° by subst.
By the ∆ Sum Thm., mB = 40°. Apply the
Isosc. ∆ Thm. and the ∆ Sum Thm. to ∆PQR.
mR = mP = 70°. So by the def. of , A  P,
and C  R. Therefore ∆ABC ~ ∆PQR by AA ~.
2. A  A by the Reflex. Prop. of . Since BE ||

CD, ABE  ACD by the Corr. s Post.
Therefore ∆ABE ~ ∆ACD by AA ~. BE = 4 and
CD = 10.

Aa Sss and Sas Similarity

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Aa Sss and Sas Similarity

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Aa Sss and Sas Similarity

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

AA,SSS and SAS similarity

Explain why the triangles

Since , B  E by the Alternate Interior

Explain why the triangles

By the Triangle Sum Theorem, mC = 47°, so C 

Verify that the triangles are similar.

∆PQR and ∆STU

Therefore ∆PQR ~ ∆STU by SSS ~.

Verify that the triangles are similar.

D  H by the Definition of Congruent Angles.

Therefore ∆DEF ~ ∆HJK by SAS ~.

Verify that ∆TXU ~ ∆VXW.

TXU  VXW by the

Therefore ∆TXU ~ ∆VXW by SAS ~.

Explain why ∆ABE ~ ∆ACD, and

Step 1 Prove triangles are similar.

A  A by Reflexive Property of , and B  C

Therefore ∆ABE ~ ∆ACD by AA ~.

Step 2 Find CD.

Corr. sides are proportional.

Substitute x for CD, 5 for BE,

Divide both sides by 9.

Explain why ∆RSV ~ ∆RTU

Step 1 Prove triangles are similar.

It is given that S  T.

Therefore ∆RSV ~ ∆RTU by AA ~.

Step 2 Find RT.

Corr. sides are proportional.

RT = 15 Divide both sides by 8.

Given: 3UT = 5RT and 3VT = 5ST

2. 2. Divide both sides by 3RT.

3. 3VT = 5ST 3. Given.

4. 4. Divide both sides by3ST.

5. RTS  VTU 5. Vert. s Thm.

Given: M is the midpoint of JK. N is the

4. ∆JKL ~ ∆NPM 4. SSS ~ Step 3

The photo shows a gable roof. AC || FG.

Therefore, BA = 23.3 ft.

What if…? If AB = 4x, AC = 5x, and BF = 4, find FG.

Corr. sides are proportional.

Substitute given quantities.

4x(FG) = 4(5x) Cross Prod. Prop.

1. Explain why the triangles are

2. Explain why the triangles are

1. By the Isosc. ∆ Thm., A  C, so by the def.

2. A  A by the Reflex. Prop. of . Since BE ||

You might also like