Objects, such as these two cats, that have the same shape,
but
do not necessarily have the same size, are said to be "similar".
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The
cat on the right is an enlargement of the cat on the
left. They are exactly the same shape, but they
are NOT the same size.
These
cats are similar figures. |
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The
mathematical symbol used to denote
similar is
 .
Do
you remember this symbol as "part" of
the symbol for congruent?? |
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Similar
Symbol
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Definition: In
mathematics, polygons are similar
if their corresponding (matching) angles are congruent (equal in
measure) and the ratio
of their corresponding sides are in proportion.
(This definition allows for congruent figures to also be
"similar",
where the ratio of the corresponding sides is 1:1.) |
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Facts
about similar triangles: |
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The ratio of the
corresponding sides is
called the ratio of similitude
or scale factor. |
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