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Similarity - Teacher Slides.pptx
The lesson slides with the teacher's notes on each slide, and every question and mark scheme built in. Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026.
EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Similarity
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Warm-up
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
Answer each one, then check.
1
What is the scale factor from 4 cm to 10 cm?
2
Write 3:5 as a fraction of the total.
3
Work out 9 × 1.5.
4
What does congruent mean?
5
What do the angles in a triangle add up to?
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Warm-up - Answers
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
1
What is the scale factor from 4 cm to 10 cm?
2.5
2
Write 3:5 as a fraction of the total.
⅜ and ⅝
3
Work out 9 × 1.5.
13.5
4
What does congruent mean?
Same shape and size
5
What do the angles in a triangle add up to?
180°
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Learning Objectives
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
1
Explain what similar means.
2
Find scale factors between similar shapes.
3
Find missing lengths in similar shapes.
4
Show that two triangles are similar using equal angles.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
SIMILAR
Two shapes are similar if they have the same shape but not necessarily the same size: their angles are equal and their lengths are in the same ratio.
The scale factor is the ratio of corresponding lengths.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Similar Triangles
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5

Every side is multiplied by the same scale factor.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Facts About Similar Shapes
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
Angles
All corresponding angles are equal.
Lengths
All corresponding lengths are in the same ratio.
Scale factor
The number you multiply by to go from one shape to the other.
Congruent is a special case
A scale factor of 1.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Finding a Missing Length
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
Use the scale factor.
1
Match the corresponding sides
Find a pair where both lengths are known
2
Work out the scale factor
Larger ÷ smaller
3
Multiply or divide
Depending on the direction you go
4
Check
The answer should look sensible
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
A Missing Side
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
Triangles ABC and DEF are similar. AB = 6 cm, BC = 10 cm and AC = 8 cm. DE = 9 cm. Find EF and DF.
1
Scale factor
DE/AB = 9/6 = 1.5
2
EF corresponds to BC
10 × 1.5 = 15
3
DF corresponds to AC
8 × 1.5 = 12
ANSWER
EF = 15 cm and DF = 12 cm.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Similar Rectangles
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
Rectangle A is 4 cm by 6 cm. Rectangle B is similar to A and 10 cm long on its shorter side. Find the other side of B.
1
Scale factor
10 ÷ 4 = 2.5
2
Other side
6 × 2.5
ANSWER
15 cm
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Showing Triangles Are Similar
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
In triangle PQR, angle P = 50° and angle Q = 60°. In triangle XYZ, angle X = 50° and angle Z = 70°. Show that the triangles are similar.
1
Find angle R
180 − 50 − 60 = 70°
2
Find angle Y
180 − 50 − 70 = 60°
3
All three angles match
50°, 60°, 70°
ANSWER
The triangles have equal angles, so they are similar.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Similar or Congruent?
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
SIMILAR
• Same shape, possibly different size.
• Equal angles, sides in the same ratio.
• Scale factor may be any number.
CONGRUENT
• Same shape and same size.
• Equal angles and equal sides.
• Scale factor 1.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Key Terms
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
Similar
The same shape but a different size.
Scale factor
The multiplier that takes one length to the corresponding length.
Corresponding sides
Sides in matching positions.
Ratio
A comparison of two quantities.
Enlargement
A transformation that produces similar shapes.
Equiangular
Having equal angles.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
YOUR TASK
Photo Enlargement
10 minutes
A photograph is 12 cm by 8 cm. It is enlarged to fit a frame that is 30 cm wide. Find the height of the enlargement and the scale factor. Then say whether a 30 cm by 18 cm frame would suit the photograph.
1
Find the scale factor.
2
Apply it to the other side.
3
Compare ratios.
WHAT A GOOD ANSWER SHOWS
Scale factor 30 ÷ 12 = 2.5, so the height is 8 × 2.5 = 20 cm. A 30 by 18 frame is not similar to 12 by 8, because 18 ÷ 8 = 2.25 ≠ 2.5, so the picture would be distorted.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Can I...?
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
Say what similar means.
Find a scale factor.
Find a missing length.
Use scale factors greater than 1.
Use scale factors less than 1.
Show triangles are similar by angles.
Identify corresponding sides.
Explain the difference from congruent.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Summary & Exam Focus
Similar shapes have equal angles and proportional sides.
Scale factor = new length ÷ old length.
Match corresponding sides carefully.
Two equal angles are enough to show triangles are similar.
EXAM FOCUS
Triangles ABC and DEF are similar. AB = 6 cm, BC = 10 cm, DE = 9 cm. Work out the length of EF. (3 marks)
Find the scale factor from a pair of sides you know, then use it on the side you need. Make sure the sides really correspond.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Exam Practice: Similarity
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
Answer all questions. Show your working. · 25 minutes
Question 1 · 3 marks · Work out
The diagram shows two similar triangles, ABC and DEF. AB = 6 cm, BC = 10 cm, AC = 8 cm and DE = 9 cm. Work out the length of EF.
Question 2 · 2 marks · Work out
For the triangles in the last question, work out the length of DF.
Question 3 · 3 marks · Work out
Rectangle A is 4 cm by 6 cm. Rectangle B is similar to rectangle A. The shorter side of rectangle B is 10 cm. Work out the length of the…
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Exam Practice: Similarity (cont.)
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
Question 4 · 3 marks · Show that
In triangle PQR, angle P = 50° and angle Q = 60°. In triangle XYZ, angle X = 50° and angle Z = 70°. Show that triangles PQR and XYZ are…
Question 5 · 2 marks · Explain
A photograph is 12 cm by 8 cm. It is enlarged so that its width is 30 cm. Work out the height of the enlarged photograph.
Question 6 · 2 marks · Decide
Are a 3 cm by 5 cm rectangle and a 9 cm by 14 cm rectangle similar? Give a reason.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 1 · 3 marks · Work out
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5

The diagram shows two similar triangles, ABC and DEF. AB = 6 cm, BC = 10 cm, AC = 8 cm and DE = 9 cm. Work out the length of EF. (3 marks)
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 1 · mark scheme
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Scale factor 1.5
M1
10 × 1.5
M1
15
A1
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 2 · 2 marks · Work out
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
“
For the triangles in the last question, work out the length of DF.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Work out. Worth 2 marks, so plan before writing.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 2 · mark scheme
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
2 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
8 × 1.5
M1
12
A1
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 3 · 3 marks · Work out
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
“
Rectangle A is 4 cm by 6 cm. Rectangle B is similar to rectangle A. The shorter side of rectangle B is 10 cm. Work out the length of the longer side of rectangle B.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Work out. Worth 3 marks, so plan before writing.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 3 · mark scheme
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Scale factor 2.5
M1
6 × 2.5
M1
15
A1
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 4 · 3 marks · Show that
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
“
In triangle PQR, angle P = 50° and angle Q = 60°. In triangle XYZ, angle X = 50° and angle Z = 70°. Show that triangles PQR and XYZ are similar.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Show that. Worth 3 marks, so plan before writing.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 4 · mark scheme
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Finding a third angle
M1
Finding the other third angle
M1
All angles equal, so similar
C1
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 5 · 2 marks · Explain
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
“
A photograph is 12 cm by 8 cm. It is enlarged so that its width is 30 cm. Work out the height of the enlarged photograph.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Explain. Worth 2 marks, so plan before writing.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 5 · mark scheme
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
2 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
30 ÷ 12
M1
20
A1
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 6 · 2 marks · Decide
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
“
Are a 3 cm by 5 cm rectangle and a 9 cm by 14 cm rectangle similar? Give a reason.
HOW TO ANSWER IT
Command word: Decide. Worth 2 marks, so plan before writing.
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EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
Question 6 · mark scheme
Similarity and congruence
Lesson 3 of 5
2 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.
Comparing the ratios
M1
Not similar with a reason
C1
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