Core Connections Integrated II, 2015
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Core Connections Integrated II, 2015 View details
2. Section 3.2
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Exercise 115 Page 196

Yes they are. See solution.

Practice makes perfect

In similar triangles, the ratio of corresponding sides is the same no matter which pair of corresponding sides you use. From the diagram, we see that the two triangles both have two known sides. Since similar triangles preserve relative side measures, the triangle's smaller sides would have to be corresponding, and vice-versa.

Let's check if the left-hand side and right-hand side are equal in the equation from the diagram.

4/6? =5/7.5 ⇒ 2/3 = 2/3 The ratio between the two pairs of sides is equal. However, we still do not have enough information to claim similarity. If we can establish that the angle between these sides are congruent, we can by the SAS ~ (Side-Angle-Side Similarity) Condition claim similarity. For this purpose, let's isolate a few parts of the diagram.

If we view AE as a transversal to BC and DF, then ∠ ACB and ∠ FDE are alternate exterior angles. Additionally, since BC∥ DF, we can by the Alternate Exterior Angles Theorem say that they are congruent.

With this information we know that △ ABC ~ △ FDE. Let's show this as a flowchart.