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Exercise 1.1 · Q12

Q.Show that the relation R defined in the set A of all triangles as R={(T1,T2):T1R = \{(T_1, T_2) : T_1 is similar to T2}T_2\}, is equivalence relation. Consider three right angle triangles T1T_1 with sides 3,4,53, 4, 5, T2T_2 with sides 5,12,135, 12, 13 and T3T_3 with sides 6,8,106, 8, 10. Which triangles among T1,T2T_1, T_2 and T3T_3 are related?

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The relation “is similar to” on the set of all triangles is an equivalence relation because it is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive. Among the given right triangles, T1T_1 (3‑4‑5) and T3T_3 (6‑8‑10) are similar (their sides are in the same ratio), so they are related; T2T_2 (5‑12‑13) is not similar to either.


Why similarity is an equivalence relation

An equivalence relation is one that behaves exactly like “equals” for a certain property. For triangles, similarity means having the same shape — corresponding angles equal and sides proportional. This notion naturally satisfies three conditions:

  • Reflexive: Every triangle is similar to itself.
  • Symmetric: If T1T_1 is similar to T2T_2, then T2T_2 is similar to T1T_1.
  • Transitive: If T1T_1 is similar to T2T_2 and T2T_2 is similar to T3T_3, then T1T_1 is similar to T3T_3.

Because these three hold for any triangles, the relation RR on the set AA of all triangles is an equivalence relation. No special calculation is needed for the general proof — it follows directly from the definition of similarity.

Watch out

A common mistake is to confuse “similar” with “congruent”. Congruence requires equal side lengths; similarity only requires proportional sides. The 3‑4‑5 and 6‑8‑10 triangles are not congruent, but they are similar.


Checking the three given triangles

We have three right triangles:

  • T1T_1: sides 3,4,53, 4, 5
  • T2T_2: sides 5,12,135, 12, 13
  • T3T_3: sides 6,8,106, 8, 10

Two triangles are related (i.e., similar) if their corresponding sides are in the same ratio. For right triangles, we can also check that the ratios of the two legs and the hypotenuse match.

Step 1: Compare T1T_1 and T3T_3

Arrange the sides of T1T_1 in increasing order: 3,4,53, 4, 5.

For T3T_3: 6,8,106, 8, 10.

Check the ratio of smallest to smallest:

36=12\frac{3}{6} = \frac{1}{2}

Middle to middle:

48=12\frac{4}{8} = \frac{1}{2}

Largest to largest:

510=12\frac{5}{10} = \frac{1}{2}

All three ratios are equal to 12\frac{1}{2}. Hence T1T_1 and T3T_3 are similar. …

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