This original learning content is created by

Uma for Altius Foundation

Altius Foundation permits you to use this content under Creative Commons license
Solve and find – Level 2
 and find the value of ∠D and ∠F.
Example 1: Identify the type of similarity of triangles EFD and ABC

D A
63
130
45

1 30 ° 20°
F
30°
°
7 5 B C
72
E
Solution:
SAS Similarity criterion If one angle of a triangle

and then find the value of ∠D and ∠F.

We need to identify the similarity criterion is equal to one angle of another triangle and if
the sides including them are proportional, then
the two triangles are similar.
Observe the given triangles to identify the similarity criterion.
Let us find the unknown measure of angle in ∠A in ∆ABC
By angle sum ∠A + ∠B + ∠C =
property of triangle, 180°+ 30° + 20° =
∠A
180°∠A + 50° = 180°
∠A = 180° - 50°
∠A = 130°
In ∆EFD, ∠E = 130° and the sides that include ∠E are ED and EF
In ∆ABC, ∠A = 130° and the sides that include ∠A are AB and AC

Since ∠E = ∠A = 130° and has sides including the angle,

let us find whether the sides are proportional by SAS similarity. Continued.
 Continuation. D A
63
130
45
°
30° 20°
To find ∠D and ∠F , Write the
20° B C
corresponding 7 72
sides that includes the angle 130
°
30°
In ∆DEF, ∠E = 130°, ED = 7, EF = 5 E
In ∆ABC, ∠A = 130°, AC = 63, AB = 45 5 F

Let us check if the sides including the angle (∠E = ∠A = 130°) are in proportion, ED

EF
i.e, AC AB

This ⇒
ED 7 1 EF 5 1 ED EF
    
AC 63 9 AB 45 9 AC AB

By SAS similarity criterion, ∆EFD is similar to ∆ABC

Write the similarity statement by ∆EFD ∼ ∆ABC

Corresponding angles are
corresponding vertices of angles ∠E ↔ ∠A, ∠F ↔ ∠B , ∠D ↔ ∠C

and Measure of ∠B = Measure of ∠F =

Write the measure of ∠D and ∠F by corresponding angles
∴ Measure of ∠C = Measure of ∠D = 20°
30°
Ans: SAS similarity, ∠D = 20°, ∠F = 30°
Example 2: Identify the type of similarity of triangles ABC and ADE and also find AB.
E
Solution:
We need to identify the similarity criterion and then find the value of AB.
C
Let the length of AB be x units. 16
8
Observe the given triangles to identify the similarity criterion.
Triangles ABC and ADE are right angled (90°)
A x B 10 D
at ∠B and ∠D respectively.
Also in ∆ABC , ∠BAC and in ∆ADE, ∠DAE have common angle,
∠A.
In ∆ABC and ∆ADE, ∠B = ∠D (Right
angle)
∠A = ∠A (Common angle to both triangles)
In the given triangles, two angles of one triangle are respectively equal to two angles
of another triangle.
By AA similarity criterion, the third angle must be equal in both triangles. That is ∠C = ∠E.
So, ∆ABC is similar to ∆ADE by AA Similarity criterion - If two angles of one triangle are
AA similarity criterion respectively equal to two angles of another triangle,
then the two triangles are similar, because the third
Writing in symbolic form ∆ABC ∼ADE angle in both triangles must be equal.
Continued.
 We found ∆ABC and ADE are similar triangles, by AA similarity criterion.
Continuation.
E

Now, we need to find the length of AB.

Since ∆ABC and ∆ADE are similar, the three sides of ∆ABC C 16
will be proportional to three sides of ∆ADE.
Recall, if three angles of one triangle are respectively 8
equal to three angles of another triangle, then their
corresponding sides are proportional (in the same ratio) A x10 B 10 D
In ∆ABC and ∆ADE, side AB ↔ AD , BC ↔ DE , AC ↔ AE
AD = AB+BD = x + 10
∆ABC ∼ADE, the corresponding sides are proportional,
by solving the ratios, we can find the length of AB, i.e.,

AB BC AC 16x = 8x + 80
 
AD DE AE 16x - 8x = 80
Solve the ratios to find AB. Divide both 8x = 80 10
AB BC sides by 8
 8 8
AD DE
x 8 x = 10 units
Replace AB = x , AD = x + 10 
BC = 8 ,DE = 16 x  10 16 ⇒ AB = 10 units
Cross multiply 16x = 8(x +
10) Ans: AB = 10 units
Example 3: In the given figure, DE ∥ CB. AB = 4 cm, AD = 14 cm, DE = 12 cm, CB = 15 cm.
C
Identify the similarity criterion and find AC and AE.
Solution:
We need to identify the similarity criterion and then find D
the value of AC and AE. Let us mark the given sides.

15
cm
Observe the given triangles to identify the similarity criterion. 14 cm

12
Given DE ∥ CB, where AC is a transversal,

cm
Two triangles are ADE and ACB

Where ∠D and ∠C are corresponding angles, so ∠D = A E B

∠C 4 cm
In the given triangles ADE and ACB, ∠ADE = ∠ACB (corresponding angles)
Also ∆ADE and ∆ACB, ∠A = ∠A
(common)
In the given triangles, two angles of one triangle are respectively equal to two angles
of another triangle.
By AA similarity criterion, the third angle must be equal in both triangles. That is ∠E = ∠B.
So, ∆ADE is similar to ∆ACB by AA Similarity criterion - If two angles of one triangle are
AA similarity criterion respectively equal to two angles of another triangle,
then the two triangles are similar, because the third
Writing in symbolic form ∆ADE ∼ACB angle in both triangles must be equal.

Continued.
 Continuation. We found ∆ADE and ACB are similar triangles, by AA similarity criterion.
C
Let us find AC and AE.
Recall, if three angles of one triangle are respectively D
equal to three angles of another triangle, then their

15
corresponding sides are proportional (in the same ratio)

cm
14 cm

12
∆ADE ∼ACB, the corresponding sides are proportional, by

cm
solving the ratios, we can find the length of AC and AE.
AD DE AE In ∆ADE and ∆ACB, A E B
 
AC CB AB side AD ↔ AC , DE ↔ CB , AE ↔ AB 4 cm

Let us find AC using AD DE Let us find AE using DE AE

 
the ratios the ratios CB AB
AC CB
14 12 Replace AB = 4 cm
Replace AD = 14 cm 12 AE
 DE = 12 cm ,CB = 15 cm 
DE = 12 cm ,CB = 15 cm AC 15 15 4
Cross multiply
Cross multiply 14 x 15 = 12 x AC 15 x AE = 48 3.2
Divide both sides by 15
17.5 15 15
Divide both sides by 12 12 x AC = 210
12 12 AE = 3.2 cm
AC = 17.5 cm
Ans: AC = 17.5 cm, AE = 3.2 cm
 Try these

∠O.
1. Identify the type of similarity of triangles ARP and MEO and find the value of
M
A

47°

47° 111
37 17 51

P R E O
2. Identify the type of similarity of triangles ADC and AEB and also find AB.
A

E B
6
5

D C
Continued.
 Try these

3. In the given figure, DE ∥ CB. AD = 5 cm, AE = 6 cm, BC = 12 cm, AB = 15 cm.

Identify the similarity criterion (AAA or SSS or SAS) Find AC and DE.
C

A D B

Note: Do not go to the next slide till you finish these sums.
 Answers

∠O.
1. Identify the type of similarity of triangles ARP and MEO and find the value of
M
A

47°

47° 111
37 17 51
Ans: SAS similarity,
∠O = 43°

P R E O
2. Identify the type of similarity of triangles ADC and AEB and also find AB.
A

B Ans: AAA similarity,

E
AB = 9.6 units
6
5

D C
Continued.
 Answers

3. In the given figure, DE ∥ CB. AD = 5 cm, AE = 6 cm, BC = 12 cm, AB = 15 cm.

Identify the similarity criterion (AAA or SSS or SAS) Find AC and DE.
C

E Ans: AAA similarity,

AC = 18 cm, DE = 4 cm

A D B