2. Similarity By Design
When two artificial objects look alike, and the design plans for them are not
available, we may take a small or large gamble, and assume the objects are
similar.
We may draw a plan for an object or a group of objects in the plane (or in
space or along a line)
Objects drawn to scale in the plane (or in space, etc)
Then we may decide on a scale. That is, we may decide how many real
units of length correspond to one plan or diagram units of length The
ratio may be a whole number, a fraction or an irrational number.
Regardless of what positive scale is chosen to construct the planned object
in the plane (or in space or along a line), we say all such objects are similar
by design, or more briefly similar.
|