Stage 17 · Similarity & Dilation

17.3.5 Similarity in Right Triangles

17.3 Tests for Similar Triangles

Point 5 of 6

17.3.5 Similarity in Right Triangles

Core idea

Drop an altitude to the hypotenuse and it splits the right triangle into two smaller triangles, each the same shape as the original.

Module goal. We introduce what similarity means, the same shape at possibly different sizes, then use the proportionality of parallel lines to derive a few handy tests, the central hub of this whole stage.
eastmath.com · 17.3 Tests for Similar Triangles · 17.3.5 Similarity in Right Triangles