Mtgnt_08 trans wk bk 11/3/03 3:43 PM Page 173

8.4 Similar Triangles

Goals p Identify similar triangles.
p Use similar triangles in real-life problems.

Example 1 Writing Proportionality Statements

In the diagram, TGST ⬃ TGNP. S

a. Write the statement of proportionality.

N 38
b. Find maGNP.
24
c. Find GP. 15

Solution G P T
20
GN GP NP
a.  
GS GT ST
b. aNST c aGNP, so maGNP  38 .
NP GP
c.  Write proportion.
ST GT
15 GP
 Substitute.
24 20

20 (15)
 GP Multiply each side by 20 .
24

12.5  GP Simplify.
Answer So, GP is 12.5 units.

POSTULATE 25: ANGLE-ANGLE (AA) SIMILARITY POSTULATE

If two angles of one triangle are K
L
congruent to two angles of another Y Z
triangle, then the two triangles
are similar.
If aJKL c aXYZ and aKJL c aYXZ, J X
then T JKL ⬃ T XYZ .

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Example 2 Proving that Two Triangles are Similar

In the diagram, TABH ⬃ TKLH. Use A

properties of similar triangles to explain
why these triangles are similar.
H L
Solution B
You can use the Vertical Angles Theorem
to determine aAHB c a KHL . Because
K
they are right angles, aABH c a KLH .
By the AA Similarity Postulate , you
can conclude that TABH ⬃ TKLH.

Example 3 Using Similar Triangles

To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, wheelchair
ramps made for new constructions must have a height to length
ratio of 1 : 12. At a new construction, the height h to the bottom of
a h
a door is 2.5 feet. Use the proportion



to estimate the length
b r
r that the ramp should be to have the correct slope ratio. In the
proportion, use a  1 ft and b  12 ft.
h a
b
r

Solution
a h




Write proportion.
b r

1 ft 2.5 ft
 Substitute.
12 ft r

r  30 ft Cross product property

Answer The ramp should have a length of 30 feet.

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Example 4 Using Scale Factors

&*.
Find the length of MS D
15
First, find the scale factor of R
G 9
TDFM to TRMT. 12 15 S
9

DM 15  15 30 5
F M T


  


RT 9  9 18 3

Now, because the ratio of the lengths of the segments is equal to

the scale factor, you can write the following equation.
FG 5





MS 3
Answer Substitute 12 for FG and solve for MS to show that
MS  7.2 .

Checkpoint Complete the following exercises.

1. You are standing 15 m from 2. TJNL ⬃ TRTS. Find the

building A and 50 m from &*.
length of KN
building B. Building A is
90 m tall. Find the height of R
J
building B. 16
12
B 14
K T
N
A 12
16
L
S

90 m

50 m 15 m

300 m 10.5

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