What are similar shapes?

Similar shapes have exactly the same shape but are different sizes, like a photo and a smaller print of it. Their angles are equal and one is a scaled version of the other. If two shapes are the same shape and the same size, they are congruent, not just similar.

Examples

• A small square and a large square are similar.
• A photo and an enlarged copy of it are similar.
• Any two circles are similar.

Quick facts

• Similar shapes have equal angles and sides in the same proportion.
• Congruent shapes are similar shapes that are also the same size.