Question

Are the two triangles similar? How do you know?

http://i46.tinypic.com/o5nvab.png

Answer 1

@DeathBlow What are some of the ways to show that triangles are similar?

Answer 2

This might help: http://www.mathwarehouse.com/geometry/similar/triangles/similar-triangle-theorems.php

But in my opianion tey are now because it's the same size and all.

Answer 3

@Claudilovely You are "eyeballing" the triangles - judging their relationship by their appearance. The triangles "look" congruent as well but that would be incorrect. The deal is to use Geometry theorems and postulates to support any conclusion. It is not a matter of opinion.

Answer 4

To tell if triangles are similar you could tell by sides and angles. But all i see similar in this diagram is that two angles are the same and they're both connected by m

Answer 5

Use the AA Postulate:
If two angles of one triangle are congruent to two corresponding angles of another triangle, then the triangles are similar.

So, we have to show two pairs of congruent angles.
Angle H and Angle K have the same measure.
That's one pair: <H is congruent to <K.
What is the second pair - the vertical angles?

Answer 6

Would the second pair be the angle m on both triangles?

Answer 7

Oh,well @Directrix. . .they just look like they could be congruent just by using my eyes. I've got no clue why mathematicians say it's not "proper" to judge that problem by just looking at it and coming to a conclusion. Haha! I did this last year and it was easy, I don't remember big weird words like "Geometry theorems and postulates" It's just that funny.

Answer 8

And eyeballing is gross, I wasn't doing that. @Directrix

Answer 9

@DeathBlow

<HMG is congruent to <KMJ because vertical angles are congruent.
That is the second pair of congruent angles.
By the AA Similarity Postulate, the triangles are similar.