Defining Similarity

In this lecture, the transformations you have learned about previously are used to define similar shapes. Watch this video and complete the interactive exercises.

Practice

Similarity & transformations - Answers

1. In conclusion, a rectangle is sometimes similar to another rectangle, because we can sometimes map one onto the other using only dilations and rigid transformations.

2. Erin concluded:

"I was able to map line segment \overline{A B} onto line segment \overline{C B} using a sequence of rigid transformations and dilations, so the figures are similar".

There is no error. This is a correct conclusion.

3. Sabrina concluded:

"I was able to map circle P onto circle R using a sequence of rigid transformations and a dilation, so the figures are similar".

There is no error. This is a correct conclusion.

4. Konnor concluded:

"The quadrilaterals have four pairs of congruent corresponding angles, so the figures are similar".

It's impossible to map S T U V onto W X Y Z using only rigid transformations and dilations, so the figures are not similar.