Identify similar figures

Shapes are similar if their corresponding angles are all congruent and their corresponding sides are proportional.

Learn with an example

  • Yes
  • No

Look for the parts that appear to be corresponding. Reflect the second shape so that it matches the first shape.

First, see if the corresponding angles are all congruent.

T ≅  W

S ≅ X

R ≅ V

The corresponding angles are all congruent.

Next, see if the corresponding sides are proportional. Start by finding the lengths of all the sides.

TS and WX have a ratio of 30/40 , which is equivalent to 3/4.

SR and XV have a ratio of 30/40 , which is equivalent to 3/4.

RT and VW have a ratio of 18/24, which is equivalent to 3/4.

The ratios are all 3/4, so the corresponding sides are proportional.

Since the corresponding angles are all congruent and the corresponding sides are proportional, the shapes are similar.

  • Yes
  • No

Look for the parts that appear to be corresponding. Reflect the second shape so that it matches the first shape.

First, see if the corresponding angles are all congruent.

∠Q ≅ ∠W

∠N  ≅  ∠X

∠0  ≅  ∠U

∠P ≅  ∠V

The corresponding angles are all congruent.

Next, see if the corresponding sides are proportional. Start by finding the lengths of all the sides.

QNOP is a parallelogram. The opposite sides are congruent. QN is 30 mm and PQ is 41 mm.

WXUV is also a parallelogram. The opposite sides are congruent. WX is 30 mm and XU is 46 mm.

QN and WX have a ratio of 30/30 , which is equivalent to 1/1 .

NO and XU have a ratio of 41/46 .

OP and UV have a ratio of 30/30 , which is equivalent to 1/1 .

PQ and VW have a ratio of 41/46 .

The ratios are not all the same, so the corresponding sides are not proportional.

Since the corresponding sides are not proportional, the shapes are not similar.

let’s practice!