Geometry

A more mathematical way of looking at similarity and Once we identify. two figures as similar with sides in
congruence : Two figures can be said to be Congruernt the ratio (say) x:y, then straightaway all their liner
if all their corresponding sides are angles (in order) and dimensions will be in this same ratiox:y. Also, their
the same. area dimensions will be in the ratio : (remember
that any area dimension is the product of two length
dimensions-length x breadth or base x height or ra
dius x radius ......)
Twofigures can be said to be similar if all their angles
(in order) are thesame and all their corresponding sides
are in the same ratio.

For example if two triangles are similar with sides in

the ratio 3:7 then their perimeters, circumradii, inrad,
medians or altitudes from corresponding vertices etc
will all be in the ratio 3:7, while their areas will be in
:
the ratio 9 49.

(The figure may not always look TI

:

similar-one should test 344TG 9 49

l
to make sure)

@Baka_260
Note that, while we normally study similarity and con
gruence for triangles, any two figures could be tested to
check for similarity and congruence. In the case of regular 7x 7y 3x 3y
figures, this is easiest - any two regular figures with the
same number of sides will be similar to each other.

32
7z

Similarity if two cones are similar with heights in the

ratio 4 :
11 then their base radii, slant heights etc will
also be the ratio 4: 11. Their surface areas, base
surface areas, curved surface areas etc will be in the
ratio 16: 121 and their volumes will be in the ratio 64
:
1331.

: 121 344T 3T 316 3YAT 64 :

AAi 3ft 16 À

A
11k
4k
For example if we take two regular hexagons, or two
circles, or two equilateral triangles, or two squares, or
wOregular pentagons, each pair of figures will be simi
lar without any further checking required.

Triangles : Conditions for Congruence and Similarity

23
Aditya
Ranjan (Excise Inspector) (Selected Selection faTn
 Geometry

SSS Test A
If we check the three sides of two triangles, then the
Ted triangles are

Congruent if three pairs of sides of the two triangles P

are equal in length.

Similar if the corresponding sides of two triangles have

lengths in the same ratio.
~
ABC PQR XYZ
ASA Test
A
congruent if the two pairs of angle have the same mea
súre and the sides are equal in length.
R

R<O
B
P
ABC = PQR XYZ ABC POR
Hypotenuse Side Test AAS Test

@Baka_260
If we check the sides of two right-angled triangles, Congruent if the two pairs of angles. have sam
the triangles are
then measure and the sides are equal in length. the

Congruent if the hypotenues arnd one shorter sides are

equal in length. A

Similar if the hypotenuses and one pair of shorter sides R

have length in the same ratio.

B
P
ABC PQR
A
AA Test
If two angles o f triangle are equal then both triangle
are similar.
B
A

~ XYZ
ABC POR B
SAS Test
Congruent if the two sides are equal in length and the ABC XYZ
angle between equal sides is also equal. Spotting Similarity & Congruence

Being able to spot Similarity (and Congruence) is o

Similar if the two sides have lengths in the same ratio
2t
i paramount importahce to the visualisation problems
of
in Geometry; in my experience Similirity stands next
and the angle between then is equal. only to Right-Angled triangle in its usefulness as a con
diiÌ E AR
Ä YAIi TeTÉ EHA HTA À
à st cept. Anda key to recognising similarity is spoting
equal angles. Let me demonstrate through some typi
cal cases.

Aditya Ranjan (Excise Inspector) Selected Selection fau 24