Triangle Similarity Ratio: Finding the Scale Factor Between Two Intersecting Triangles

Question

What is the ratio of similarity between the triangles shown in the diagram below?

AAABBBDDDCCCEEE

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Find which triangles are similar, and what is the similarity ratio?
00:04 Equal angles according to the given data (g)
00:11 Perpendicular according to the given data (g)
00:16 If 2 angles are equal in the triangles, then the third is also equal
00:28 The triangles are similar by AA (Angle-Angle)
00:39 Corresponding sides are opposite to equal angles
00:49 This is the similarity ratio
00:56 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

From the drawing it appears that angle E equals angle A

Since angle D equals 90 degrees, its adjacent angle also equals 90 degrees.

In other words, angle D1 equals angle D2 and both equal 90 degrees.

Since we have two pairs of equal angles, the triangles are similar.

Also angle B equals angle C

Now let's write the similar triangles according to their corresponding angle letters:

ABC=ECD ABC=ECD

Let's write the ratio of sides according to the corresponding letters of the similar triangles:

ABEC=ADED=BDCD \frac{AB}{EC}=\frac{AD}{ED}=\frac{BD}{CD}

Answer

ABEC=ADED=BDCD \frac{AB}{EC}=\frac{AD}{ED}=\frac{BD}{CD}