Chapter 6 · Question 1
What are similar triangles? How are they different from congruent triangles?
Answer
Direct Answer
Similar triangles have the same shape: corresponding angles are equal and corresponding sides are proportional. Congruent triangles have the same shape and the same size.
Simple Explanation
Similar means same shape, maybe different size. Congruent means same shape and same size.
Exam-Ready Structure
Two triangles are similar if their corresponding angles are equal and the ratios of their corresponding sides are equal. Congruent triangles are a special case where corresponding sides are equal, not just proportional. Thus all congruent triangles are similar, but all similar triangles need not be congruent.
Key Points
- Similar triangles have the same shape: corresponding angles are equal and corresponding sides are proportional.