Worked example 1 Show that triangle ABC and triangle CDE are similar.
A
B C D Solution E
Corresponding sides
Corresponding sides face the corresponding angles. For example, in the diagram the sides that face the angles with two arcs are corresponding and are shown in blue.
Worked example 2
Show that the triangles given here are similar, and hence identify the corresponding sides.
K L Solution M G H F
Discuss and discover
Work with a classmate to complete the steps below. (i) Construct a triangle ABC with side lengths |AB| = 6 cm, |BC| = 5 cm and |AC| = 4 cm.
(ii) Construct another triangle XYZ with side lengths |XY| = 12 cm, |YZ| = 10 cm and |XZ| = 8 cm. (iii) What is the relationship between the lengths of the sides of these two triangles?
(iv) Use a protractor to measure the angles in each of the triangles. (v) What do you notice? (vi) How would you describe these two triangles? Give a reason for your answer. (vii) List the corresponding sides in these two triangles.
(viii) Investigate if: |AB|_ |XY| = |AC|_
|XZ| = |BC|_ |YZ| Section B Advancing mathematical ideas 295