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What does it mean to say that two shapes are similar?

The soccer balls used by different levels of players are similar because they are the same shape but different sizes. Similar figures can be flipped or oriented differently and remain similar as long as keep the same shape. Look closely at the sets of shapes on these tabs. Which figures are similar, and which are not?

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Are these two figures below similar? Why or why not?

example 1 image

These two drops are similar—they are the same shape but different size. It doesn't matter that the light blue drop is oriented in a different direction. Similar figures do not have to face the same way.

Are the two figures below similar? Why or why not?

example 2 image

These two figures are also similar. Both are regular pentagons—but pentagons of different sizes. It does not matter if the figures are not oriented in the same direction.

Are the two figures below similar? Why or why not?

example 3 image

These two figures are exactly the same size and shape, which makes them congruent. To see if they are similar, you see if corresponding sides are proportional. In case of congruent figures, the scale factor is 1. These figures are similar and congruent.

Are the two figures below similar? Why or why not?

example 4 image

These two figures are neither similar nor congruent. Notice that they are not the same shape or size.