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Geo

Geometry View details

1. Proving the Similarity of All Circles

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Chapter 5

1.

Proving the Similarity of All Circles

In geometry, circles hold a special place due to their unique properties. One of the most intriguing aspects is the inherent similarity of all circles, regardless of their size. This means that any two circles, when scaled appropriately, will match perfectly. This similarity is not just about size; it extends to all properties and characteristics of circles. Such proofs are fundamental in understanding the deeper concepts of geometry and have practical implications in various fields, from art to engineering. Recognizing the similarity of circles aids in simplifying complex problems and offers a clearer perspective on geometric relationships.

Lesson Settings & Tools

	11 Theory slides
	7 Exercises - Grade E - A
	Each lesson is meant to take 1-2 classroom sessions

Proving the Similarity of All Circles

Slide of 11

In this lesson, it will be proven that all circles are similar.

Catch-Up and Review

Here are a few recommended readings before getting started with this lesson.

Similarity
Similarity transformations

Try your knowledge on these topics.

a Two similar figures have the same .

b Select the name of the transformation shown in each diagram.

transformation

transformation

transformation

transformation

Explore

Circle Transformation

In the diagram below, can the larger circle be mapped onto the smaller circle? What transformations are involved?

circles

Discussion

Similarity of Concentric Circles

Consider two concentric circles with common center O and radii 4 and 6.

A pair of concentric circles with a common center O and radii of 4 and 6 units respectively.

Let A and B be two points on the smaller and larger circles, respectively, collinear with O. Also, consider the ray through A and B, with endpoint O.

concentric circles

Since 4* 32= 6, point B is the image of point A after a dilation with center O and scale factor 32. Likewise, if any point on the smaller circle is dilated through O by a factor of 32, its image will fall on the larger circle. Hence, the circles are related by a dilation, and so, are similar. The same argument can be used for any two concentric circles. This leads to the following conclusion.

Concentric circles are similar.

Concentric circles can be mapped onto each other by dilation. Therefore, concentric circles are said to be similar by dilation.

Illustration

Dilating Concentric Circles

Dilate the concentric circles below so that they map onto each other.

concentric circles

Example

Dilating a Small Circle to Map Onto a Large Circle

Given two concentric circles on a coordinate plane, Zosia is trying to determine the transformation that maps the smaller circle onto the larger circle.

concentric circles

So far, Zosia is considering four different options. Help Zosia make up her mind!

Hint

Consider the fact that the circles have different radii.

Solution

Note that the circles have different radii. The radius of the smaller circle is 3, and the radius of the larger circle is 6.

Therefore, to map the smaller circle onto the larger circle, a dilation must be performed. Furthermore, since the radius of the larger circle is twice the radius of the smaller circle, the scale factor of the dilation must be 2. Finally, since the circles are concentric, the center of dilation is the center of the circles, which is the point (2,- 1).

Example

Dilating a Large Circle to Map Onto a Small Circle

Now, given a different pair of concentric circles, Zosia wants to find the transformation that maps the larger circle onto the smaller circle.

concentric circles

Again, Zosia is considering four different options. Help Zosia make up her mind!

Hint

Consider the fact that the circles have different radii.

Solution

It can be seen in the diagram that the radius of the smaller circle is 3, and the radius of the larger circle is 9.

Therefore, to map the larger circle onto the smaller circle, a dilation must be performed. Furthermore, since the radius of the smaller circle is one third the radius of the larger circle, the scale factor of the dilation must be 13. Finally, since the circles are concentric, the center of dilation is the center of the circles, which is the point (4,1).

Discussion

Similarity of Circles

Now, consider two circles with different centers. One of the circles can be translated so that they become concentric circles.

concentric circles

Recall that any two concentric circles are similar through dilation.

concentric circles

Therefore, any two non-concentric circles can be mapped onto each other. This can be done either by translation or by a combination of a translation and a dilation. Since translations and dilations are similarity transformations, the following statement can be made.

Non-concentric circles are similar.

With this information and knowing that any two concentric circles are also similar, a more general statement can be made.

All circles are similar.

Illustration

Transforming Non-Concentric Circles

Two non-concentric circles can be mapped onto each other through either a translation or by a combination of a translation and a dilation. Therefore, non-concentric circles are similar. Translate and dilate the non-concentric circles below so that they map onto each other.

circles

Example

Mapping Congruent Circles Using Transformations

Diego has been asked to identify the transformation that maps the circle on the left onto the circle on the right.

non-concentric circles

Diego is considering the four different options that are shown below. Which is the correct choice?

Hint

Consider the fact that the circles have the same radius.

Solution

It can be seen in the diagram that the radius of both circles is 3.

Therefore, to map the circle on the left onto the circle on the right, translation is the only transformation that must be performed. The circle on the left must be translated 9 units to the right and 4 units up.

Example

Mapping Similar Circles Using Transformations

Finally, Diego wants to identify the combination of transformations that maps the smaller circle onto the larger circle.

concentric circles

Diego is considering four different options. Help Diego make up his mind for the last time!

Hint

The radius of the smaller circle is 3, and the radius of the larger circle is 4.5. By which number does 3 need to be multiplied to obtain 4.5?

Solution

It can be seen in the diagram that the smaller circle has a radius of 3 and its center at the point (- 3,- 2). Furthermore the larger circle is centered at (5.5,2.5) and its radius is 4.5

Therefore, to map the smaller circle onto the larger circle, a translation and a dilation must be combined. The translation must be performed 8.5 units to the right and 4.5 units up. Then, since 3* 1.5 is equal to 4.5, the scale factor of the dilation must be 1.5.

Closure

Extending to Theorems About Circles

In this lesson, it has been proven that all circles are similar by using similarity transformations. Therefore, any theorem that is valid for one circle, is also valid for all circles. This can be exemplified by the following theorem.

Inscribed Angles of a Circle Theorem
If two inscribed angles of a circle intercept the same arc, then they are congruent.

The diagram visualizes the theorem.

inscribed angles

This theorem will be proven later in this course.

Proving the Similarity of All Circles

Exercise 3.1

What scale factor is needed to dilate ⊙ P such that it inscribes the equilateral triangle ABC? Round your answer to two decimals.

An equilateral triangle ABC and circle P inscribed in the triangle.

To inscribe the triangle, the circle must be dilated such that its radius is congruent with the segment between the center of ⊙ P and one of the triangle's vertices, A, B, or C. To determine this, we will start by finding the altitude of the triangle.

This segment is perpendicular to the side BC and also passes through the center P of the circle.

Since the altitude bisects BC, we can identify a right triangle with an hypotenuse of 7 and a leg that is half the length of BC, which is 3.5.

Let's calculate the vertical leg of the right triangle using the Pythagorean Theorem.

The vertical leg is sqrt(36.75) units long. Notice that this includes the diameter of ⊙ P. Therefore, if we subtract the radius of ⊙ P, the difference will equal AP which is what we want. AP=sqrt(36.75)-2 Now that we know the radius of the circle which inscribes the triangle, we can determine the scale factor by dividing this radius by the radius of ⊙ P. sqrt(36.75)-2/2≈ 2.03 We have to dilate the circle by approximately a scale factor of 2.03 to inscribe the triangle.

Proving the Similarity of All Circles

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