Review of Similar Shapes and Scale Factors

C. Review of Similar Shapes and Scale Factors

If shapes are similar it is because their corresponding side lengths are related by a common scale factor.

Consider the following set of similar triangles. Triangle A is the original triangle.

	Triangle B Enlargement Side 1:	Triangle B Enlargement Side 2:
	Triangle C Reduction Side 1:	Triangle C Reduction Side 2:

If the lengths of the sides of the original triangle are doubled (enlargement), the scale factor is 2. If the lengths of the sides of the original triangle are halved (reduction), the scale factor is .