Similarity
Similar figures are identical in shape, but not necessarily in size.
For example, two circles are always similar:
Two squares are always similar:
And two rectangles could be similar:
But often will not be:
Similar figures
Look at these similar figures:
B is an enlargement of A. The lengths have all doubled, but notice that the angles must stay the same.
Remember that for any pair of similar figures, corresponding sides are in the same ratio and corresponding angles are equal.
More guides on this topic
- Determine the gradient of a straight line
- Circle geometry
- Calculating the volume of a standard solid
- Applying Pythagoras Theorem
- Applying the properties of shapes to determine an angle
- Working with two-dimensional vectors
- Working with three-dimensional coordinates
- Using vector components
- Calculating the magnitude of a vector
- An Approximate History of Co-ordinates