Triangles
Himachal Pradesh Board · Class 10 · Mathematics
NCERT Solutions for Triangles — Himachal Pradesh Board Class 10 Mathematics.
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Explore the full setEXERCISE 6.1
1Fill in the blanks using the correct word given in brackets:
(i) All circles are ______. (congruent, similar)
(ii) All squares are ______. (similar, congruent)
(iii) All ______ triangles are similar. (isosceles, equilateral)
(iv) Two polygons of the same number of sides are similar, if (a) their corresponding angles are ______ and (b) their corresponding sides are ______. (equal, proportional)Show solution
Reason: All circles have the same shape; they differ only in size (radius), so they are similar but not necessarily congruent.
(ii) All squares are similar.
Reason: All squares have all angles equal to 90° and all sides in the same ratio (1:1 for any two squares scaled appropriately), so they are always similar.
(iii) All equilateral triangles are similar.
Reason: In every equilateral triangle each angle is 60°, so all equilateral triangles have equal corresponding angles and are therefore similar by AAA criterion.
(iv) Two polygons of the same number of sides are similar, if
(a) their corresponding angles are equal and
(b) their corresponding sides are proportional.
2Give two different examples of pair of
(i) similar figures.
(ii) non-similar figures.Show solution
1. Any two circles (e.g., a circle of radius 3 cm and a circle of radius 5 cm).
2. Any two equilateral triangles (e.g., an equilateral triangle with side 4 cm and another with side 7 cm).
(ii) Examples of non-similar figures:
1. A rectangle of dimensions 2 cm × 4 cm and a rectangle of dimensions 2 cm × 6 cm (corresponding sides are not proportional: ).
2. A right-angled triangle and an equilateral triangle (corresponding angles are not equal).
3State whether the following quadrilaterals are similar or not (referring to Fig. 6.8 — a square and a rectangle/rhombus shown).Show solution
Condition for similarity of polygons:
Two polygons are similar if and only if
(a) their corresponding angles are equal, AND
(b) their corresponding sides are proportional.
Analysis:
For the quadrilaterals in Fig. 6.8, although both may have all right angles (if one is a square and the other a rectangle), their corresponding sides are not proportional (a square has all sides equal while a rectangle has unequal adjacent sides). Alternatively, if one is a rhombus, the angles are not all equal to 90°.
Conclusion: The two quadrilaterals shown in Fig. 6.8 are not similar, because even though corresponding angles may be equal, their corresponding sides are not proportional (or vice versa). Both conditions must hold simultaneously for similarity.
EXERCISE 6.2
1In Fig. 6.17, (i) and (ii), DE ∥ BC. Find EC in (i) and AD in (ii).Show solution
Concept used: Basic Proportionality Theorem (BPT / Thales' Theorem): If a line is drawn parallel to one side of a triangle, it divides the other two sides in the same ratio.
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Case (ii): Given DE ∥ BC, DB = 7.2 cm, AE = 1.8 cm, EC = 5.4 cm. Find AD.
Using BPT:
2E and F are points on the sides PQ and PR respectively of a ΔPQR. For each of the following cases, state whether EF ∥ QR:
(i) PE = 3.9 cm, EQ = 3 cm, PF = 3.6 cm and FR = 2.4 cm
(ii) PE = 4 cm, QE = 4.5 cm, PF = 8 cm and RF = 9 cm
(iii) PQ = 1.28 cm, PR = 2.56 cm, PE = 0.18 cm and PF = 0.36 cmShow solution
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(i) PE = 3.9 cm, EQ = 3 cm, PF = 3.6 cm, FR = 2.4 cm
Since , EF is not parallel to QR.
---
(ii) PE = 4 cm, QE = 4.5 cm, PF = 8 cm, RF = 9 cm
Since , EF ∥ QR.
---
(iii) PQ = 1.28 cm, PR = 2.56 cm, PE = 0.18 cm, PF = 0.36 cm
First find EQ and FR:
Since , EF ∥ QR.
3In Fig. 6.18, if LM ∥ CB and LN ∥ CD, prove that .Show solution
To prove:
Proof:
In , LM ∥ CB (given).
By Basic Proportionality Theorem:
This can be rewritten as:
In , LN ∥ CD (given).
By Basic Proportionality Theorem:
This can be rewritten as:
From (2) and (4):
Hence proved.
4In Fig. 6.19, DE ∥ AC and DF ∥ AE. Prove that .Show solution
To prove:
Proof:
Step 1: In , DE ∥ AC (given).
By Basic Proportionality Theorem:
Step 2: In , DF ∥ AE (given).
By Basic Proportionality Theorem:
Step 3: From (1) and (2):
Hence proved.
5In Fig. 6.20, DE ∥ OQ and DF ∥ OR. Show that EF ∥ QR.Show solution
To prove: EF ∥ QR
Proof:
Step 1: In , DE ∥ OQ (given).
By Basic Proportionality Theorem:
Step 2: In , DF ∥ OR (given).
By Basic Proportionality Theorem:
Step 3: From (1) and (2):
Step 4: In , E is on PQ and F is on PR such that .
By the Converse of Basic Proportionality Theorem:
Hence proved.
6In Fig. 6.21, A, B and C are points on OP, OQ and OR respectively such that AB ∥ PQ and AC ∥ PR. Show that BC ∥ QR.Show solution
To prove: BC ∥ QR
Proof:
Step 1: In , AB ∥ PQ (given).
By Basic Proportionality Theorem:
Step 2: In , AC ∥ PR (given).
By Basic Proportionality Theorem:
Step 3: From (1) and (2):
Step 4: In , B is on OQ and C is on OR such that .
By the Converse of Basic Proportionality Theorem:
Hence proved.
7Using Theorem 6.1, prove that a line drawn through the mid-point of one side of a triangle parallel to another side bisects the third side.Show solution
To prove: E is the mid-point of AC, i.e., AE = EC.
Theorem 6.1 (BPT): If a line is drawn parallel to one side of a triangle to intersect the other two sides in distinct points, then the other two sides are divided in the same ratio.
Proof:
In , DE ∥ BC (given).
By Theorem 6.1 (BPT):
Since D is the mid-point of AB:
From (1) and (2):
Therefore, E is the mid-point of AC.
Hence proved.
8Using Theorem 6.2, prove that the line joining the mid-points of any two sides of a triangle is parallel to the third side.Show solution
To prove: DE ∥ BC.
Theorem 6.2 (Converse of BPT): If a line divides any two sides of a triangle in the same ratio, then the line is parallel to the third side.
Proof:
Since D is the mid-point of AB:
Since E is the mid-point of AC:
From (1) and (2):
By Theorem 6.2 (Converse of BPT), DE ∥ BC.
Hence proved.
9ABCD is a trapezium in which AB ∥ DC and its diagonals intersect each other at the point O. Show that .Show solution
To prove:
Construction: Draw EF through O parallel to AB (and DC), meeting AD at E and BC at F.
Proof:
In , EO ∥ AB (by construction).
By BPT:
In , OF ∥ AB (by construction).
By BPT:
Alternative direct approach:
In and :
- (vertically opposite angles)
- (alternate interior angles, since AB ∥ DC)
- (alternate interior angles, since AB ∥ DC)
Therefore, (by AAA similarity criterion).
Hence:
This gives:
Hence proved.
10The diagonals of a quadrilateral ABCD intersect each other at the point O such that . Show that ABCD is a trapezium.Show solution
To prove: ABCD is a trapezium, i.e., AB ∥ DC.
Construction: Draw EO ∥ AB through O, meeting AD at E.
Proof:
Step 1: Given:
Step 2: In , EO ∥ AB (by construction).
By BPT:
Step 3: In , consider the line through O.
From (1): , i.e., .
In , EO ∥ AB gives .
Now in : (from given condition rearranged).
So .
By converse of BPT in , EO ∥ DC.
But EO ∥ AB (by construction).
Therefore AB ∥ DC.
Since AB ∥ DC, quadrilateral ABCD is a trapezium.
Hence proved.
EXERCISE 6.3
1State which pairs of triangles in Fig. 6.34 are similar. Write the similarity criterion used by you for answering the question and also write the pairs of similar triangles in the symbolic form.Show solution
(i) In the two triangles, the angles given are 40°, 60°, 80° in one and 40°, 60°, 80° in the other.
Since all three corresponding angles are equal:
(ii) In the two triangles, sides are given as:
Triangle 1: sides 2, 2, 2 (or proportional sides)
Triangle 2: sides 4, 4, 4
(iii) In the two triangles, two sides are proportional and the included angle is equal.
(iv) In the two triangles, angles given are 70°, 80° in one and 70°, 30° in the other. The third angles are: and . So corresponding angles match.
(v) The sides given are not proportional and angles are not equal, so the triangles are not similar.
(vi) In the two triangles, angles given are 70°, 80° in one and 70°, 80° in the other (with the equal angles at corresponding vertices).
Summary:
- Pairs (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (vi) are similar by AAA, SSS, SAS, AA, AA criteria respectively.
- Pair (v) is not similar.
2In Fig. 6.35, ΔODC ∼ ΔOBA, ∠BOC = 125° and ∠CDO = 70°. Find ∠DOC, ∠DCO and ∠OAB.Show solution
Step 1: Find ∠DOC
and are supplementary (they form a linear pair on line DB):
Step 2: Find ∠DCO
In :
Step 3: Find ∠OAB
Since , corresponding angles are equal:
Therefore:
Answers:
3Diagonals AC and BD of a trapezium ABCD with AB ∥ DC intersect each other at the point O. Using a similarity criterion for two triangles, show that .Show solution
To prove:
Proof:
In and :
1. (vertically opposite angles)
2. (alternate interior angles, since AB ∥ DC and AC is a transversal)
3. (alternate interior angles, since AB ∥ DC and BD is a transversal)
By AAA similarity criterion:
Since corresponding sides of similar triangles are proportional:
In particular:
Hence proved.
4In Fig. 6.36, and ∠1 = ∠2. Show that ΔPQS ∼ ΔTQR.Show solution
To prove:
Proof:
Step 1: In , means (angles at Q and P are equal).
Wait — from the figure, (or ) and .
Since , i.e., (base angles), triangle PQR is isosceles with .
Step 2: Given .
Since (from Step 1):
Step 3: In and :
- (common angle)
- , i.e.,
By SAS similarity criterion:
Which is the same as .
Hence proved.
5S and T are points on sides PR and QR of ΔPQR such that ∠P = ∠RTS. Show that ΔRPQ ∼ ΔRTS.Show solution
To prove:
Proof:
In and :
1. (common angle)
2. (given, i.e., )
By AA similarity criterion:
Hence proved.
6In Fig. 6.37, if ΔABE ≅ ΔACD, show that ΔADE ∼ ΔABC.Show solution
To prove:
Proof:
Since (given), their corresponding parts are equal:
Step 2: From (1) and (2):
(Since and means .)
Step 3: In and :
1. (common angle)
2. [from (3)]
By SAS similarity criterion:
Hence proved.
7In Fig. 6.38, altitudes AD and CE of ΔABC intersect each other at the point P. Show that:
(i) ΔAEP ∼ ΔCDP
(ii) ΔABD ∼ ΔCBE
(iii) ΔAEP ∼ ΔADB
(iv) ΔPDC ∼ ΔBECShow solution
So .
---
(i) Prove ΔAEP ∼ ΔCDP:
In and :
- (CE ⊥ AB and AD ⊥ BC)
- (vertically opposite angles)
By AA similarity:
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(ii) Prove ΔABD ∼ ΔCBE:
In and :
- (AD ⊥ BC and CE ⊥ AB)
- (common angle B)
By AA similarity:
---
(iii) Prove ΔAEP ∼ ΔADB:
In and :
-
- (common angle at A)
By AA similarity:
---
(iv) Prove ΔPDC ∼ ΔBEC:
In and :
- (AD ⊥ BC and CE ⊥ AB)
- (common angle C)
By AA similarity:
8E is a point on the side AD produced of a parallelogram ABCD and BE intersects CD at F. Show that ΔABE ∼ ΔCFB.Show solution
To prove:
Proof:
In and :
1.
Since ABCD is a parallelogram, AB ∥ CD. AE is a transversal (AD produced).
(co-interior angles).
Also, (same angle, since E is on AD produced, ... )
Actually: In parallelogram ABCD, AD ∥ BC. So and are alternate interior angles (since AE ∥ BC and BE is transversal).
2. ? Let us use:
In parallelogram ABCD: AB ∥ DC.
? No.
: Since AB ∥ DC (opposite sides of parallelogram), with transversal BC:
.
Better approach: (opposite angles of parallelogram are equal):
(since is the same as extended — actually only if E is beyond D. Let's use: since AD ∥ BC, as alternate angles.)
Cleaner proof:
In and :
1.
(In parallelogram, , i.e., ; since E is on AD produced, ... )
Since AD ∥ BC (parallelogram), and EB is a transversal:
2.
In parallelogram AB ∥ FC (since AB ∥ DC and F is on DC):
From (1) and (2), by AA similarity:
Hence proved.
9In Fig. 6.39, ABC and AMP are two right triangles, right angled at B and M respectively. Prove that:
(i) ΔABC ∼ ΔAMP
(ii) Show solution
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(i) Prove ΔABC ∼ ΔAMP:
In and :
1. (right angles given)
2. (common angle at A)
By AA similarity criterion:
Hence proved.
---
(ii) Prove :
Since (proved in part (i)), their corresponding sides are proportional:
In particular:
Hence proved.
10CD and GH are respectively the bisectors of ∠ACB and ∠EGF such that D and H lie on sides AB and FE of ΔABC and ΔEFG respectively. If ΔABC ∼ ΔFEG, show that:
(i)
(ii) ΔDCB ∼ ΔHGE
(iii) ΔDCA ∼ ΔHGFShow solution
Since :
Also, since and CD, GH are their bisectors:
---
(i) Prove :
In and :
- (from similarity of and )
- [from (1)]
By AA similarity:
Therefore:
Hence proved.
---
(ii) Prove ΔDCB ∼ ΔHGE:
In and :
- (from similarity of and )
- [from (1)]
By AA similarity:
Hence proved.
---
(iii) Prove ΔDCA ∼ ΔHGF:
In and :
- (from similarity of and )
- [from (1), since ]
By AA similarity:
Hence proved.
11In Fig. 6.40, E is a point on side CB produced of an isosceles triangle ABC with AB = AC. If AD ⊥ BC and EF ⊥ AC, prove that ΔABD ∼ ΔECF.Show solution
To prove:
Proof:
In and :
1. (AD ⊥ BC and EF ⊥ AC)
2. Since AB = AC (isosceles triangle), the base angles are equal:
(Note: and since E is on BC produced, )
By AA similarity criterion:
Hence proved.
12Sides AB and BC and median AD of a triangle ABC are respectively proportional to sides PQ and QR and median PM of ΔPQR (see Fig. 6.41). Show that ΔABC ∼ ΔPQR.Show solution
To prove:
Proof:
Since AD is a median of :
Since PM is a median of :
Given:
In and , all three sides are proportional:
By SSS similarity criterion:
Therefore:
Now in and :
- (given)
- [from (1)]
By SAS similarity criterion:
Hence proved.
13D is a point on the side BC of a triangle ABC such that ∠ADC = ∠BAC. Show that CA² = CB·CD.Show solution
To prove:
Proof:
In and :
1. (given)
2. (common angle C, since D is on BC)
By AA similarity criterion:
Therefore, corresponding sides are proportional:
Hence proved.
14Sides AB and AC and median AD of a triangle ABC are respectively proportional to sides PQ and PR and median PM of another triangle PQR. Show that ΔABC ∼ ΔPQR.Show solution
To prove:
Construction: Produce AD to E such that AD = DE. Join BE and CE. Similarly, produce PM to N such that PM = MN. Join QN and RN.
Proof:
In and :
- (D is mid-point of BC, as AD is median)
- (by construction)
- (vertically opposite angles)
By SAS congruence:
Therefore: and (i.e., , so AB ∥ CE).
Similarly, in and :
, so and .
Now ABEC is a parallelogram (AB ∥ CE and AB = CE), so .
Similarly, PQNR is a parallelogram, so .
In : AE = 2AD (by construction), BE = AC.
In : PN = 2PM, QN = PR.
Given:
(since , , , )
By SSS similarity:
Therefore: , i.e., .
Now in and :
- (given)
- (proved above)
By SAS similarity criterion:
Hence proved.
15A vertical pole of length 6 m casts a shadow 4 m long on the ground and at the same time a tower casts a shadow 28 m long. Find the height of the tower.Show solution
- Height of pole = 6 m
- Shadow of pole = 4 m
- Shadow of tower = 28 m
- Let height of tower = m
Concept: At the same time of day, the sun's rays are parallel, so the angle of elevation of the sun is the same. Therefore, the pole and its shadow, and the tower and its shadow form similar triangles.
Setting up proportion:
Since the triangles formed are similar:
16If AD and PM are medians of triangles ABC and PQR, respectively where ΔABC ∼ ΔPQR, prove that .Show solution
To prove:
Proof:
Since :
Since D is mid-point of BC and M is mid-point of QR:
From (1):
In and :
1. [from (3)]
2. [from (2), i.e., ]
By SAS similarity criterion:
Therefore, corresponding sides are proportional:
Hence proved.
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