Are triangles DEF and LNM similar if DF = 8 and LM = 4?

triangles LNM and DEF with angles N and E marked with the right angle symbol

Yes, by the SAS Similarity Postulate
Yes, by the definition of similarity
No, the corresponding sides are not proportional
No, there is not enough information

1 answer

To determine if triangles DEF and LNM are similar, we can use the information about the sides and the angles:

  1. We know that triangles LNM and DEF both have right angles (indicated by the right angle symbol marked at angles N and E).
  2. We have one pair of corresponding sides with the values given: DF = 8 and LM = 4.

To check for similarity, we can use the Side-Angle-Side (SAS) similarity criterion. Since both triangles have a right angle and we have the lengths of one pair of corresponding sides, we need to determine if the ratio of these sides is consistent with the similarity of the triangles.

Calculating the ratio of the corresponding sides:

  • Side DF (in triangle DEF) is 8.
  • Side LM (in triangle LNM) is 4.

The ratio of DF to LM is: \[ \text{Ratio} = \frac{DF}{LM} = \frac{8}{4} = 2 \]

Now, to conclude whether triangles DEF and LNM are similar, we need more corresponding side lengths or angles to apply the SAS or other similarity postulates definitively.

Since we do not have information about other sides or angles, we cannot confirm similarity solely based on one pair of sides and the right angles, as similarity requires that all pairs of corresponding sides are proportional.

Thus, the answer is:

No, there is not enough information.