Lesson 3 · Similar and Congruent Shapes

Similar and Congruent Shapes Presentation

MathematicsSubject
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Unit 3 · Similar and Congruent Shapes

Similar and Congruent Shapes

Mathematics · Grade 7

What You Will Be Able To Do

🔍

Tell congruent from similar, and say which single word separates them

✖️

Find a scale factor and use it to work out a missing side

📐

Explain why equal angles are enough for triangles but not for rectangles

🌳

Measure the height of a tree or building without going near the top of it

One Word Apart

≅ Congruent
Same shape AND same size
All matching angles equal, all matching sides equal
Two photocopies at 100 per cent
~ Similar
Same shape, ANY size
All matching angles equal, sides in the same ratio
The same photo printed small and printed large
Congruent is just similar with a scale factor of 1

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Presenter notes: Open by reminding them of the loose end from Unit 2. Three angles did not fix a triangle, because a small 60-60-60 and a huge 60-60-60 both fitted. At the time that felt like the method failing. Tell them today they will find out that it was not a failure at all, it was a discovery, and that the whole family of same shape different size figures has a name. Framing the lesson as the resolution of an earlier puzzle rather than as a new topic gets much better attention.