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Teacher Guide: SSS and SAS Similarity

Prove triangles similar from side ratios (SSS) or two side ratios and the included angle (SAS), then use the scale factor for sides, perimeter and area.

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All practice problems on paper, with a separate answer key.

Worksheet Answer key

Class quiz

10 questions on Congruence & Similarity. Students join with a name, you see everyone's score.

For Teachers

Learning Objectives
  • State the SSS and SAS similarity criteria and use them to prove that two triangles are similar
  • Pair corresponding sides correctly by sorting them from shortest to longest
  • Find the scale factor and use it to calculate missing side lengths
  • Use the perimeter ratio kk and the area ratio k2k^2 of similar triangles
  • Decide whether AA, SSS or SAS similarity applies, including nested triangles with a shared angle
Prerequisites
  • • Introduction to Similarity: similar figures and the scale factor
  • • AA Similarity: proving triangles similar with two pairs of angles
  • • SSS Congruence and SAS Congruence: equal sides and the included angle
  • • Simplifying ratios and solving simple proportions
Discussion Starters
  • 1. Why are three side ratios enough to prove similarity, while three angles do not tell you the size?
  • 2. SSS Congruence and SSS Similarity have the same name. What is the same and what is different?
  • 3. If you double every side of a triangle, why does its area not just double?
  • 4. Can you draw two different triangles with two sides of 44 and 66 and a 30°30° angle that is not between them?
Common Misconceptions

Pairing sides in the order they appear in the problem

Remediation: Have students rewrite both triangles' sides sorted from shortest to longest before every SSS check, and show the set 4,6,84, 6, 8 versus 12,9,612, 9, 6 where the given order gives three different ratios.

Any angle plus two proportional sides is SAS

Remediation: Let students build two different triangles from the same two sides and a non-included angle (straws or geometry software). Stress the word included: the angle must sit between the two sides.

Area scales by kk like the sides

Remediation: Draw a triangle on grid paper, enlarge it by k=2k = 2 and count the squares: the area is 44 times as large. Repeat with k=3k = 3 to reach 99.

Differentiation Ideas

For Struggling Students:

  • • Give side lengths already sorted and with whole-number scale factors
  • • Use a ratio table with three columns (short, middle, long) for every SSS check
  • • Colour code the included angle and its two sides in SAS problems

For On-Level Students:

  • • Mix SSS, SAS and AA problems and ask students to name the criterion first
  • • Find missing sides in nested triangles with a shared angle
  • • Use the perimeter ratio and area ratio in word problems

For Advanced Students:

  • • Find the scale factor from an area ratio, for example k=7512=2.5k = \sqrt{\frac{75}{12}} = 2.5
  • • Prove that a line parallel to one side of a triangle creates a similar triangle, using AA and then SAS
  • • Investigate when SSA does fix the shape (the angle opposite the longer side)
Standards Alignment
  • HSG.SRT.A.2 (CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSG.SRT.A.2)

    Use the definition of similarity in terms of similarity transformations to decide if two figures are similar

  • HSG.SRT.B.5 (CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSG.SRT.B.5)

    Use congruence and similarity criteria for triangles to solve problems and to prove relationships in geometric figures

  • 7.G.A.1 (CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.G.A.1)

    Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures, including computing actual lengths and areas

Lesson Resources
  • visualSimilar Triangle Pair

    Students change the scale factor with the slider and switch between AA, SSS and SAS to see which parts each criterion marks

  • activityStraw Triangles

    Groups cut straws into lengths 4, 6, 8 and 6, 9, 12 (in cm), build both triangles and check that the angles match

  • worksheetWhich Criterion?

    Twelve triangle pairs with given data: students decide AA, SSS, SAS or not enough information, then find the scale factor

Lesson Content

Everything students see: definition, examples, common mistakes, applications. Tap to open.

Definition

In AA Similarity you proved triangles similar with angles only. Now you will do it with sides. Remember: similar triangles have the same shape, their corresponding sides are in the same ratio, the scale factor kk.
SSS Similarity (Side-Side-Side): if all three pairs of corresponding sides are in the same ratio, the triangles are similar.
DEAB=EFBC=FDCA=k⇒△ABC∼△DEF\frac{DE}{AB} = \frac{EF}{BC} = \frac{FD}{CA} = k \quad\Rightarrow\quad \triangle ABC \sim \triangle DEF
SAS Similarity (Side-Angle-Side): if two pairs of corresponding sides are in the same ratio and the included angle (the angle between those two sides) is congruent, the triangles are similar.
DEAB=EFBC=k and ∠B=∠E⇒△ABC∼△DEF\frac{DE}{AB} = \frac{EF}{BC} = k \text{ and } \angle B = \angle E \quad\Rightarrow\quad \triangle ABC \sim \triangle DEF
How to match the sides: when you only know the lengths, sort the sides of each triangle from shortest to longest and pair them in that order: shortest with shortest, middle with middle, longest with longest.
Once you know the triangles are similar:
  • every side of the image is kk times the matching side
  • the perimeter ratio is kk
  • the area ratio is k2k^2
Compare with congruence: SSS and SAS congruence need equal sides (k=1k = 1), SSS and SAS similarity only need proportional sides.

Worked Examples

△ABC\triangle ABC has sides AB=4AB = 4, BC=6BC = 6, CA=8CA = 8. △DEF\triangle DEF has sides DE=6DE = 6, EF=9EF = 9, FD=12FD = 12. Are the triangles similar?
1

Sort each triangle's sides from shortest to longest

△ABC\triangle ABC: 4,6,84, 6, 8. △DEF\triangle DEF: 6,9,126, 9, 12 → Pairs: 4↔64 \leftrightarrow 6, 6↔96 \leftrightarrow 9, 8↔128 \leftrightarrow 12
2

Divide each side of △DEF\triangle DEF by the matching side of △ABC\triangle ABC

64=1.5\frac{6}{4} = 1.5, 96=1.5\frac{9}{6} = 1.5, 128=1.5\frac{12}{8} = 1.5 → All three ratios are 1.51.5
3

Apply SSS Similarity

Three equal ratios, so the sides are proportional → △ABC∼△DEF\triangle ABC \sim \triangle DEF, k=1.5k = 1.5

Common Mistakes

Pairing the sides in the order they are listed, for example 4,6,84, 6, 8 with 12,9,612, 9, 6, and getting ratios 33, 1.51.5, 0.750.75

Why it's wrong: The order in which side lengths are written says nothing about which sides correspond. Wrong pairs give different ratios even for similar triangles.

Correct: Sort both triangles from shortest to longest first: 4,6,84, 6, 8 and 6,9,126, 9, 12. Then all ratios are 1.51.5.

Using SAS with an angle that is not between the two sides

Why it's wrong: Two proportional sides and a non-included angle (SSA) do not fix the shape: two different triangles can have the same two sides and the same angle opposite one of them.

Correct: Check that the congruent angle is formed by exactly the two sides you compared. Otherwise SAS Similarity does not apply.

Thinking the area ratio is also kk

Why it's wrong: Area is length times length, so both factors grow by kk: the area grows by k⋅k=k2k \cdot k = k^2.

Correct: Perimeter ratio =k= k, area ratio =k2= k^2. With k=3k = 3, the area is 99 times as large, not 33 times.

Dividing big by small for one pair and small by big for another, for example 64=1.5\frac{6}{4} = 1.5 but 69≈0.67\frac{6}{9} \approx 0.67

Why it's wrong: The ratios then look different although the sides are proportional.

Correct: Always divide in the same direction: image side over original side (or the other way round for every pair).

Why It Matters

Often you can measure lengths more easily than angles, and then SSS and SAS similarity are the tools you need:
  • Surveying: to find the width of a lake you cannot cross, surveyors stake out a small triangle that shares an angle with a big one and use SAS similarity
  • Engineering: a model of a roof truss or a bridge is built with all lengths scaled by the same factor, so it has exactly the same shape as the real one
  • Printing and design: when a logo is enlarged, every length is multiplied by kk but the ink or material needed grows by k2k^2
  • Checking a drawing: a carpenter can check that a triangular frame matches a plan by comparing three length ratios, no protractor needed
Knowing that area grows with k2k^2 (not kk) also prevents costly mistakes, like ordering twice the paint for a wall that is twice as wide and twice as tall.

Real World Applications

Enlarging a Logo

Designers enlarge logos so that every length grows by the same scale factor. The enlarged triangle is similar to the original by SSS Similarity, so it keeps exactly the same shape.

Example:

A triangular logo with sides 22 cm, 33 cm and 44 cm is printed with k=5k = 5 on a poster: the sides become 1010 cm, 1515 cm and 2020 cm.

1Try It Yourself

A triangular logo has sides 33 cm, 44 cm and 66 cm. On a banner its shortest side must be 7.57.5 cm, and the logo must keep its shape.

How long is the longest side of the logo on the banner (in cm)?

Step 1: Write the mathematical expression

Multiply the longest side by the scale factor:

Measuring Across a Lake

Surveyors cannot stretch a tape measure across water. They mark two points on lines leading away from a corner point and use the small triangle that shares the corner angle with the big one.

Example:

From point AA two straight paths lead past the lake. A small triangle with sides 14\frac{1}{4} as long as the big one along both paths shares the angle at AA, so the width of the lake is 44 times the short distance measured on land.

2Try It Yourself

From point AA, AD=20AD = 20 m and AB=60AB = 60 m along one path, AE=25AE = 25 m and AC=75AC = 75 m along the other. BB and CC lie on opposite shores of the lake. On land, DE=18DE = 18 m.

How wide is the lake, the distance BCBC (in m)?

Step 1: Write the mathematical expression

Multiply the measured distance DEDE by the scale factor:

Fabric for a Bigger Sail

Sailmakers scale a proven sail design up or down. The new sail is similar to the old one, but the fabric needed grows with the area ratio $k^2$, not with $k$.

Example:

A sail that is 1.51.5 times as long on every side needs 1.52=2.251.5^2 = 2.25 times as much fabric.

3Try It Yourself

A small triangular sail has sides 33 m, 44 m and 55 m and an area of 66 m². A new sail has sides 66 m, 88 m and 1010 m.

How much fabric (in m²) does the new sail need?

Step 1: Write the mathematical expression

Multiply the old area by the area ratio:

Key Takeaways

  • 1SSS Similarity: if all three pairs of corresponding sides have the same ratio kk, the triangles are similar
  • 2SAS Similarity: two pairs of sides with the same ratio kk and a congruent included angle make the triangles similar
  • 3When only lengths are given, sort the sides from shortest to longest and pair them in that order
  • 4The scale factor kk is image side divided by original side; every missing side is kk times its partner
  • 5Perimeter ratio =k= k, area ratio =k2= k^2
  • 6Choose the criterion from what you know: two angles means AA, three sides means SSS, two sides and the angle between them means SAS

Frequently Asked Questions

How is SSS Similarity different from SSS Congruence?

SSS Congruence needs three pairs of equal sides. SSS Similarity only needs three pairs of sides in the same ratio. Congruence is the special case k=1k = 1.

Why must the angle in SAS be the included angle?

The two sides and the angle between them fix the shape completely. If the angle is somewhere else (SSA), two different triangles can fit the same data, so you cannot conclude that the triangles are similar.

When should I use AA, SSS or SAS?

Look at what is given. Two pairs of congruent angles: AA. Three pairs of side lengths: SSS. Two pairs of side lengths and the angle between them: SAS. In nested triangles a shared angle often gives you the angle for AA or SAS for free.

Does it matter which triangle I divide by?

Only for the value of kk. Big over small gives k>1k > 1 (enlargement), small over big gives k<1k < 1 (reduction). Both work, as long as you divide in the same direction for every pair.

Glossary

SSS Similarity
If all three pairs of corresponding sides of two triangles are in the same ratio, the triangles are similar
SAS Similarity
If two pairs of corresponding sides are in the same ratio and the included angles are congruent, the triangles are similar
Included angle
The angle formed by two given sides of a triangle, at the vertex where they meet
Scale factor
The ratio kk of a side of one similar figure to the corresponding side of the other
Corresponding sides
Sides that are in the same position in two similar or congruent figures
Area ratio
The ratio of the areas of two similar figures, equal to k2k^2

Formula Card

SSS Similarity

DEAB=EFBC=FDCA=k⇒△ABC∼△DEF\frac{DE}{AB} = \frac{EF}{BC} = \frac{FD}{CA} = k \Rightarrow \triangle ABC \sim \triangle DEF

All three side ratios are equal (sides sorted from shortest to longest)

SAS Similarity

DEAB=EFBC=k, ∠B=∠E⇒△ABC∼△DEF\frac{DE}{AB} = \frac{EF}{BC} = k,\ \angle B = \angle E \Rightarrow \triangle ABC \sim \triangle DEF

Two side ratios are equal and the included angles are congruent

Perimeter ratio

P2P1=k\frac{P_2}{P_1} = k

Perimeters grow by the same factor as the sides

Area ratio

A2A1=k2\frac{A_2}{A_1} = k^2

Areas grow by the square of the scale factor

More in This Topic

Introduction to Congruence

Intermediate25 min

Introduction to Similarity

Intermediate25 min

Congruent Triangles

Intermediate25 min

AA Similarity

Intermediate25 min