Podcast
Questions and Answers
What theorem can be used to prove that corresponding sides of similar triangles are proportional?
What theorem can be used to prove that corresponding sides of similar triangles are proportional?
Which postulate is used to prove that triangles are similar by comparing one side and the included angle?
Which postulate is used to prove that triangles are similar by comparing one side and the included angle?
What property states that an angle is congruent to itself?
What property states that an angle is congruent to itself?
If DE || AC, which statement can be correctly concluded?
If DE || AC, which statement can be correctly concluded?
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In the two-column proof steps for proving △BDC ~ △BEA, what is the reason for step 3?
In the two-column proof steps for proving △BDC ~ △BEA, what is the reason for step 3?
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Which postulate can be used to prove that two triangles are similar if all three angles of one triangle are congruent to the corresponding angles of another triangle?
Which postulate can be used to prove that two triangles are similar if all three angles of one triangle are congruent to the corresponding angles of another triangle?
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In the context of similar triangles, what are the extremes if the proportion is given as $10:5 = 6:3$?
In the context of similar triangles, what are the extremes if the proportion is given as $10:5 = 6:3$?
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What type of angles are formed by altitudes in triangles?
What type of angles are formed by altitudes in triangles?
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If two triangles have two pairs of corresponding angles that are congruent, which postulate applies to prove their similarity?
If two triangles have two pairs of corresponding angles that are congruent, which postulate applies to prove their similarity?
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What is the conclusion of the Means Extremes Products Theorem in a proportional relationship?
What is the conclusion of the Means Extremes Products Theorem in a proportional relationship?
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When applying the SSS Postulate, what must be true about the sides of two triangles?
When applying the SSS Postulate, what must be true about the sides of two triangles?
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What is the criteria for the SAS Postulate to apply in proving triangle similarity?
What is the criteria for the SAS Postulate to apply in proving triangle similarity?
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In the example using the SSS Postulate, what was the ratio of the corresponding sides found?
In the example using the SSS Postulate, what was the ratio of the corresponding sides found?
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For two triangles to be proven similar using the AA Postulate, how many pairs of corresponding angles must be congruent?
For two triangles to be proven similar using the AA Postulate, how many pairs of corresponding angles must be congruent?
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Which of the following does NOT contribute to the proof of triangle similarity using these postulates?
Which of the following does NOT contribute to the proof of triangle similarity using these postulates?
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In triangle similarity, which of the following combinations would definitely lead to a conclusion of similarity based on the SAS Postulate?
In triangle similarity, which of the following combinations would definitely lead to a conclusion of similarity based on the SAS Postulate?
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Flashcards
AAA Postulate
AAA Postulate
If all three angles of one triangle are congruent to the corresponding angles of another triangle, then the triangles are similar.
AA Postulate
AA Postulate
If two angles of one triangle are congruent to two angles of another triangle, then the triangles are similar.
SSS Postulate
SSS Postulate
If the ratios of corresponding sides of two triangles are equal, then the triangles are similar.
SAS Postulate
SAS Postulate
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Tilde (~)
Tilde (~)
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Isosceles Trapezoid
Isosceles Trapezoid
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Alternate Interior Angles
Alternate Interior Angles
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Two-Column Proof
Two-Column Proof
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Vertical angles
Vertical angles
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Similar triangles
Similar triangles
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Altitude of a triangle
Altitude of a triangle
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Means Extremes Products Theorem
Means Extremes Products Theorem
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Corresponding angles of similar triangles
Corresponding angles of similar triangles
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Study Notes
Triangle Similarity Postulates
- AAA Postulate: If all three angles of one triangle are congruent to the corresponding angles of another triangle, the triangles are similar. Less commonly used.
- AA Postulate: If two angles of one triangle are congruent to two angles of another triangle, the triangles are similar. This is practical as the third angle must also be congruent. More frequently used.
- SSS Postulate: If the ratios of corresponding sides of two triangles are equal, the triangles are similar. For example, if AB/DE = BC/EF = AC/DF, then △ABC ~ △DEF.
- SAS Postulate: If two sides of one triangle are proportional to two sides of another triangle and the included angles are congruent, the triangles are similar. For example, if ∠A ≅ ∠D and AB/DE = AC/DF, then △ABC ~ △DEF.
Example Applications
- SSS Example: Given △ABC (AB = 12, BC = 15, AC = 18) and △DEF (DE = 4, EF = 5, DF = 6). The ratios of corresponding sides are equal (12/4 = 15/5 = 18/6 = 3). Therefore, △ABC ~ △DEF by the SSS Postulate.
- SAS Example: Given △ABC and △DEC (D on AB, E on BC). DC = 7, EC = 12, AD = 14, BE = 24. AC = 21, BC = 36. Ratios of corresponding sides are equal (7/21 = 12/36 = 1/3), and ∠C ≅ ∠C. Thus, △ABC ~ △DEC by SAS Postulate.
Proving Similarity (Two-Column Proofs)
- Example 1: Given isosceles trapezoid ABCD. Prove △BEC ~ △DEA.
- Statements: ABCD is an isosceles trapezoid, ∠EAD ≅ ∠ECB (alternate interior angles), ∠BEC ≅ ∠DEA (vertical angles).
- Reason: Given, alternate interior angles, vertical angles.
- Conclusion: △BEC ~ △DEA by AA Postulate.
- Example 2: Given AE/AB = AD/AC. Prove △AED ~ △ABC.
- Statements: AE/AB = AD/AC, ∠A ≅ ∠A (reflexive property).
- Reason: Given, reflexive property.
- Conclusion: △AED ~ △ABC by SAS Postulate.
- Example 3: Given AE and CD are altitudes. Prove ∠BAE ≅ ∠BCD.
- Statements: AE and CD are altitudes, ∠BDC and ∠BEA are right angles, ∠BDC ≅ ∠BEA, ∠B ≅ ∠B.
- Reason: Given, definition of altitude, right angles are congruent, reflexive property.
- Conclusion: △BDC ~ △BEA by AA Postulate and ∠BAE ≅ ∠BCD (corresponding angles).
- Example 4: Given DE || AC. Prove AB × BE = BC × BD.
- Reason: Given, Corresponding angles (parallel lines), Reflexive Property, AA Postulate, Corresponding sides are proportional and Means/Extremes Product Theorem.
Means-Extremes Product Theorem
- If a/b = c/d, then b × c = a × d (product of means = product of extremes).
- This theorem is useful for working with similar triangles. If two triangles are similar, proportions can be established between corresponding sides, and this theorem can be applied.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the various postulates that determine triangle similarity, including the AAA, AA, SSS, and SAS postulates. This quiz includes examples and applications to help solidify your understanding of these important concepts in geometry.