Triangle Similarity Calculator

Check triangle similarity using SSS, SAS, and AA criteria. Find scale factors and missing values

Triangle Similarity Analysis

Triangle ABC

Triangle DEF

Similarity Analysis Results

✗ Not Similar
Triangles are NOT similar by SSS criteria

Side Ratios:

DE/AB: N/A
EF/BC: N/A
DF/AC: N/A

Similarity Criteria Examples

SSS (Side-Side-Side) Similarity

Triangle 1: Sides = 3, 4, 5

Triangle 2: Sides = 6, 8, 10

Ratios: 6/3 = 2, 8/4 = 2, 10/5 = 2

Result: Similar triangles with scale factor 2

SAS (Side-Angle-Side) Similarity

Triangle 1: Sides = 4, 6; Included angle = 60°

Triangle 2: Sides = 8, 12; Included angle = 60°

Ratios: 8/4 = 2, 12/6 = 2; Same angle

Result: Similar triangles with scale factor 2

AA (Angle-Angle) Similarity

Triangle 1: Angles = 30°, 60°, 90°

Triangle 2: Angles = 30°, 60°, 90°

Condition: Two pairs of corresponding angles are equal

Result: Similar triangles (all 30-60-90 triangles are similar)

Similarity Criteria

SSS

Side-Side-Side

All corresponding sides are proportional

SAS

Side-Angle-Side

Two sides proportional + included angle equal

AA

Angle-Angle

Two pairs of corresponding angles equal

Similar Triangle Properties

Scale Factor

Ratio of corresponding sides

Area Scaling

Area ratio = (scale factor)²

Perimeter Scaling

Perimeter ratio = scale factor

Quick Tips

Corresponding angles in similar triangles are equal

Corresponding sides are proportional by the same ratio

AA criterion is often the easiest to verify

Scale factor > 1 means enlargement

Understanding Triangle Similarity

What Makes Triangles Similar?

Two triangles are similar if they have the same shape but not necessarily the same size. This means all corresponding angles are equal and all corresponding sides are proportional.

Similarity vs. Congruence

  • Similar: Same shape, different size
  • Congruent: Same shape and same size
  • All congruent triangles are similar

Mathematical Notation

SSS Similarity

AB/DE = BC/EF = AC/DF

SAS Similarity

AB/DE = BC/EF and ∠B = ∠E

AA Similarity

∠A = ∠D and ∠B = ∠E

Applications

  • • Trigonometry and measurement
  • • Scale drawings and maps
  • • Photography and optics
  • • Engineering and architecture