Geometry
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Similar Figures
Posted on Nov 12, 2009
Topic: Ratios and Proportions
Students drag vertices of rectangles and triangles and observe what happens to ratios of pairs of sides within each figure.
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Activity Key Steps:
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In this activity, students will identify corresponding sides and corresponding angles of two similar figures. They will also develop an understanding and use the definition of similar figures.
First, students will drag vertices of the bottom rectangle and observe what happens to ratios of pairs of sides. When the bottom rectangle is similar to the top rectangle the equals sign will appear between the two ratios.
Students will then move the vertices of the right triangle until the ratios are equal. They will compare the angle measures of corresponding angles. Using what they have learned, students will determine what is and is not a good definition for similar triangles.