Before learning the area of a similar triangle, let us first recall the similarity conditions. The two triangles are similar to each other if,
- Corresponding angles of the triangles are equal
- Corresponding sides of the triangles are in proportion
If there are two triangles say ΔABC and ΔPQR, then they are similar if,
i) ∠A=∠P, ∠B=∠Q and ∠C=∠R
ii)
If we have two similar triangles, then not only their angles and sides share a relationship but also the ratio of their perimeter, altitudes, angle bisectors, areas and other aspects are in ratio.
In the upcoming discussion, the relation between the area of two similar triangles is discussed.
Area of Similar Triangles Theorem
Theorem: If two triangles are similar, then the ratio of the area of both triangles is proportional to the square of the ratio of their corresponding sides.
To prove this theorem, consider two similar triangles ΔABC and ΔPQR;
According to the stated theorem,
As, Area of triangle =
To find the area of ΔABC and ΔPQR, draw the altitudes AD and PE from the vertex A and P of ΔABC andΔPQR, respectively, as shown in the figure given below:
Now, area of ΔABC =
area of ΔPQR =
The ratio of the areas of both the triangles can now be given as:
⇒
Now in ∆ABD and ∆PQE, it can be seen that:
∠ABC = ∠PQR (Since ΔABC ~ ΔPQR)
∠ADB = ∠PEQ (Since both the angles are 90°)
From AA criterion of similarity ∆ADB ~ ∆PEQ
⇒
Since it is known that ΔABC~ ΔPQR,
Substituting this value in equation (1), we get
Using equation (2), we can write
⇒
Also from equation (3),
This proves that the ratio of the area of two similar triangles is proportional to the squares of the corresponding sides of both the triangles.