West Contra Costa Unified School District
Investigating Similar Triangles
Let your use of the resource be in proportion to its usefulness. Pupils investigate similar triangles by measuring side lengths and considering given angle measures. The results of the investigation help develop generalizations about...
Virginia Department of Education
Similar Triangles
Pupils work in pairs to investigate what it takes to prove that two triangles are similar. They work through various shortcuts to find which are enough to show a similarity relationship between the triangles. Small groups work with the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Similar Triangles
Proving triangles are similar is often an exercise in applying one of the many theorems young geometers memorize, like the AA similarity criteria. But proving that the criteria themselves are valid from basic principles is a great...
EngageNY
The Angle-Angle (AA) Criterion for Two Triangles to Be Similar
What do you need to prove triangles are similar? Learners answer this question through a construction exploration. Once they establish the criteria, they use the congruence and proportionality properties of similar objects to find...
Illustrative Mathematics
Are They Similar?
Learners separate things that just appear similar from those that are actually similar. A diagram of triangles is given, and then a variety of geometric characteristics changed and the similarity of the triangles analyzed. Because the...
EngageNY
Similar Triangles in Circle-Secant (or Circle-Secant-Tangent) Diagrams
First angle measures, now segment lengths. High schoolers first measure segments formed by secants that intersect interior to a circle, secants that intersect exterior to a circle, and a secant and a tangent that intersect exterior to a...
Flipped Math
Prove Triangles Similar
Show more than one way to prove similarity. Scholars learn three different methods to show two triangles are similar, Angle-Angle, Side-Side-Side, and Side-Angle-Side. Pupils practice applying these methods to determine whether two given...
Illustrative Mathematics
Right Triangles Inscribed in Circles II
So many times the characteristics of triangles are presented as a vocabulary-type of lesson, but in this activity they are key to unraveling a proof. A unique attack on proving that an inscribed angle that subtends a diameter must be a...
EngageNY
Informal Proof of AA Criterion for Similarity
What does it take to show two triangles are similar? The 11th segment in a series of 16 introduces the AA Criterion for Similarity. A discussion provides an informal proof of the theorem. Exercises and problems require scholars to apply...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Deducting Relationships: Floodlight Shadows
Try to figure out what happens with shadows as a person moves between two light sources. A formative assessment lesson has individuals work on an assessment task based on similar triangles, then groups them based on their assessment...
Curated OER
Triangle's Interior Angles
Given a pair of parallel lines and a triangle in between, geometers prove that the sum of the interior angles is 180 degrees. This quick quest can be used as a pop quiz or exit ticket for your geometry class.
Curated OER
Identifying Similar Triangles
In this identifying similar triangles worksheet, 10th graders solve 5 different proofs related to similar triangles. First, they identify the similar triangles in each figure and explain why they are similar, using the information to...
Curated OER
Identify Similar Triangles With Proofs
In this similar triangle worksheet, students write a two-column proof to explain why determined triangles are similar. Given some line lengths and angle measurements, students use proofs to identify the ratio of specified angles. This...
EngageNY
Prove the Pythagorean Theorem Using Similarity
Amaze your classes with the ability to find side lengths of triangles immediately — they'll all want to know your trick! Learners use the Pythagorean Theorem and special right triangle relationships to find missing side lengths.
EngageNY
Basic Properties of Similarity
Does the symmetry and transitive property apply to similarity? The 10th segment in a series of 16 presents the class with a group of explorations. The explorations have pairs show that similarity is both symmetrical and transitive. It...
Willow Tree
Ratios and Proportions with Congruent and Similar Polygons
Investigate how similar and congruent figures compare. Learners understand congruent figures have congruent sides and angles, but similar figures only have congruent angles — their sides are proportional. After learning the...
Curated OER
Triangles and Congruence
Can your class construct triangles and determine congruence? Find out with this well put together instructional activity. THey construct triangles to given specifications and identify if they are congruent. There are 3 muti-step problems...
Inside Mathematics
Rhombuses
Just what does it take to show two rhombuses are similar? The assessment task asks pupils to develop an argument to show that given quadrilaterals are rhombuses. Class members also use their knowledge of similar triangles to show two...
EngageNY
The Side-Angle-Side (SAS) and Side-Side-Side (SSS) Criteria for Two Triangles to Be Similar
Playing with mathematics can invoke curiosity and excitement. As pupils construct triangles with given criteria, they determine the necessary requirements to support similarity. After determining the criteria, they practice verifying...
Curated OER
Triangle Congruence with Coordinate
Two triangles are displayed on a coordinate plane. Youngsters apply a reflection and a translation to demonstrate their congruence. This exercise makes a terrific tool for teaching these concepts, or a way to assess learning.
Massachusetts Department of Education
Similarity through Transformations
Create the ultimate miniature golf course. The 93-page model curriculum unit from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education contains nine lessons on understanding similarity in terms of both Euclidean geometry...
EngageNY
Pythagorean Theorem, Revisited
Transform your pupils into mathematicians as they learn to prove the popular Pythagorean Theorem. The 16th lesson in the series of 25 continues by teaching learners how to develop a proof. It shows how to prove the Pythagorean Theorem...
EngageNY
Similarity and the Angle Bisector Theorem
Identifying and verifying reproducible patterns in mathematics is an essential skill. Mathematicians identify the relationship of sides when an angle is bisected in a triangle. Once the pupils determine the relationship, they prove it to...
EngageNY
Are All Parabolas Similar?
Congruence and similarity apply to functions as well as polygons. Learners examine the effects of transformations on the shape of parabolas. They determine the transformation(s) that produce similar and congruent functions.