6.3 Use Similar Polygons

Similar Polygon Two polygons are similar if their corresponding angles are equal and their corresponding side lengths are proportional

Similar Figures Notice the corresponding sides are proportional ( in this case all are a 1:2 ratio) and the corresponding angles are congruent

Scale factor on polygons The scale factor of a polygon can be found by creating a ratio with two corresponding sides of a polygon. This ratio should be reduced to its lowest terms.

Scale Factor In our earlier example of two similar polygons the sides of 8 and 4 correspond. (both are the largest sides) The scale factor is 18:9 or 2:1 when reduced As a fraction 18/9 reduces to 2/1