Similarity and Scaling in Geometry

learning_notes

Last updated: 8/16/2025

Key Concepts:

  • Scaling Perimeter and Area in Similar Shapes: If all side lengths of a shape are scaled by a factor (k), the perimeter scales by k, the area scales by (k^2).
  • Scaling Volume in 3D Similar Shapes: If all dimensions of a 3D shape are scaled by (k), the volume scales by (k^3).

Skills Covered:

  • Calculating the area or volume of a shape, given the area or volume of a similar shape and the ratio of their side lengths.
  • Given the area or volume of two similar shapes and the side lengths of one shape, calculating the side lengths of the other shape.

Example Problems:

  • If the side length of a square doubles, how does its area change?
  • If a circle’s radius triples, how many times larger is its area?
  • If a cylinder has a volume of 64 and a height of 4, a similar cylinder has a volume of 1728, what is its height?

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