# Geometry/Chapter 5

## Section 5.1 - Methods of Proving that Triangles are Congruent

### SSS Congruency

 Side-Side-Side Congruency Theorem: If three sides of one triangle equal the corresponding parts of the other, then the triangles are congruent.

### SAS Congruency

 Side-Angle-Side Congruency Theorem: If two sides and the included angle of one triangle equal the corresponding parts of the other, then the triangles are congruent.

We can prove ΔRPQ is congruent to ΔVST because both angle RQP and angle VTS are 100°. Segments PQ and ST are both 4 units, as well as RQ and VT are both 5 units. Therefore, both triangles are congruent by side-angle-side congruency.

### HL Congruency

 Hypotenuse Leg Congruency Theorem: If a right triangle has a leg and hypotenuse equal to the corresponding parts of the other triangle, then the triangles are congruent.

A squared plus B squared equals C squared

### ASA Congruency

 Angle-Side-Angle Congruency Theorem: If two angles and the included side of one triangle equal the corresponding parts of the other, then the triangles are congruent.

Angle BAP is a right angle and angle PDC is also a right angle.So they are equal. Angle APB of triangle BAP and angle CPD of triangle DPC are opposite angles and they are equal. Segments AP and PD are both 5 units.Since , the two angles and a side of the triangle BAP is equal to the two angles and a side of the triangle DPC , the both triangles are congruent.

### AAS Congruency

 Angle-Angle-Side Congruency Theorem: If one side and two angles of one triangle equal the corresponding parts of the other, then the triangles are congruent.

We can prove ΔABC is congruent to ΔYXZ because angle CAB and angle ZYX are congruent (both 75°), angles ACB and YZX are congruent (both 65°), and AB is congruent to YX (nonincluded side). Therefore, both triangles are congruent by angle-angle-side.

### AAA doesn't work

 Three corresponding angles of a triangle doesn't prove two triangles are congruent. However, they do prove that two triangles are similar.

[[:Image:]]

### SSA doesn't work

 Two consecutive sides and an angle doesn't prove triangles are congruent.

[[:Image:]]

## Basic Principles of Congruent Triangles

Conjecture 1: If two triangles are congruent, then their corresponding parts are equal.

## Chapter Review

In order to prove that two triangles are congruent, three pieces of information are necessary. The three pieces of information can be

• the lengths of all three sides
• the lengths of 2 sides and the size of the included angle
• 2 angle measurements and the length of the enclosed side
• 2 angle measurements and the length of the following side

For right triangles, only two pieces of information are necessary. If you can show that the hypotenuse and another side are congruent on each triangle, then you know that the triangles on the whole are congruent.

It is worth noting that you cannot prove that two triangles are congruent if you only know their angle measurements. Even if you know every angle in each triangle, the lengths of the sides could be different.

## Vocabulary

• Side-Side-Side Congruency Theorem: If three sides of one triangle equal the corresponding parts of the other, then the triangles are congruent.
• Side-Angle-Side Congruency Theorem: If two sides and the included angle of one triangle equal the corresponding parts of the other, then the triangles are congruent
• Angle-Side-Angle Congruency Theorem: If two angles and the included side of one triangle equal the corresponding parts of the other, then the triangles are congruent.
• Angle-Angle-Side Congruency Theorem: If one side and two angles of one triangle equal the corresponding parts of the other, then the triangles are congruent.
• Hypotenuse Leg Congruency Theorem: If a right triangle has a leg and hypotenuse equal to the corresponding parts of the other triangle, then the triangles are congruent.

## Exercises

Answers to each exercise can be found in the Appendix.

1. In triangle RUN and triangle HID, angle R = angle D, angle U = angle I, and RU = DI. What triangles are congruent, if any, and why?
2. In triangle FRE and SLV, FR = LV, EF = SL, and angle F = angle S. What triangles are congruent, if any, and why?
3. In triangle MUS and CHR, angle S = angle H, US = HR, and angle U = angle R. What triangles are congruent, if any, and why?
4. In triangle QWE and RTY, QW = TY, WE = RY, and QE = RT. What triangles are congruent, if any, and why?