Similar Figures Examples

These trapezoids are similar. Name two corresponding sides.

Corresponding sides are in the same place on two similar figures.

The pairs of corresponding sides are:
AB and LM
BD and MP
DC and PO
CA and OL

Which are equal in the similar trapezoids below—the side lengths AB and LM or the measurements of ∠CAB and ∠OLM?

The corresponding sides in similar figures are not equal lengths but the corresponding angle measures are equal.

So m∠CAB and m∠OLM are equal.

If the ratio of LM to AB is 4, what is the ratio of MP to BD?

The ratio of corresponding side lengths is equal in similar figures. So the ratio of two corresponding sides will be equal to the ratio of any other two corresponding sides.

Since the ratio of LM to AB is 4, the ratio of MP to BD will also be 4.

If LM is 8 feet long and the ratio of LM to AB is 4, how long is AB?

Since 8 ÷ 2 = 4, AB must equal 2 ft.