Geometry

Similar

Two shapes are similar if they have the same shape but possibly different sizes — one is an enlargement of the other.

Definition

In similar shapes, corresponding angles are equal and corresponding sides are in the same ratio (the scale factor). Areas scale by the square of the factor; volumes by the cube.

Used in these topics

Congruence and similarity →Transformations: enlargement and scale factor →

Related terms

Congruent

Two shapes are congruent if they are identical in size and shape — one can be mapped to the other by translation, rotation or reflection.

Practise GCSE Maths topics with instant examiner-style marking — every term in context.

Start free →