The Conditions for Triangle Similarity

Rule

Angle-Angle Similarity Theorem

If two angles of a triangle are congruent to two angles of another triangle, then the triangles are similar.

If ∠ A ≅ ∠ D and ∠ B ≅ ∠ E, then △ ABC ~ △ DEF.

Proof

Angle-Angle Similarity Theorem
Consider two triangles △ ABC and △ DEF, whose two corresponding angles are congruent.

These triangles can be proven to be similar by identifying a similarity transformation that maps one triangle onto the other. First, △ DEF can be dilated with the scale factor k= ABDE about D, forming the new triangle △ DE'F'.

Since a dilation is a similarity transformation, it can be concluded that △ DE'F' and △ DEF are similar triangles. Next, it has to be proven that a rigid motion that maps △ DE'F' onto △ ABC exists. The corresponding angles of similar figures are congruent, so ∠ E' and ∠ E are congruent angles. ∠ E'≅ ∠ E Additionally, since ∠ E is congruent to ∠ B, by the Transitive Property of Congruence, ∠ E' is congruent to ∠ B. ∠ E'≅ ∠ B The ratios of the corresponding side lengths of similar polygons are the same and equal to the scale factor. DE'/DE=k In this case, the scale factor k is ABDE. Applying the Transitive Property of Equality, an equation can be formed and simplified. DE'/DE=AB/DE ⇕ DE'=AB It has been obtained that the two angles and the included side of △ DE'F' are congruent to the corresponding two angles and the included side of △ ABC.

Therefore, by the Angle-Side-Angle (ASA) Congruence Theorem, the two triangles are congruent. △ ABC≅△ DE'F' Since congruent figures can be transformed into each other using rigid motions, and △ ABC and △ DE'F' are congruent triangles, there is a rigid motion placing △ DE'F' onto △ ABC.

Rigid motion that places DE'F' onto ABC

The combination of this rigid motion and the dilation performed earlier forms a similarity transformation that maps △ DEF onto △ ABC.

A similarity transformation that maps DEF into ABC



Therefore, it can be concluded that △ ABC and △ DEF are similar triangles.

△ ABC~ △ DEF

The proof is now complete.

Exercises
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