Definitions, Postulates and Theorems

Name:

Definitions
Name Definition Visual Clue
Complementary Two angles whose measures
Angles have a sum of 90o

Supplementary Two angles whose measures

Angles have a sum of 180o

Theorem A statement that can be proven

Vertical Angles Two angles formed by intersecting lines and

facing in the opposite direction
Transversal A line that intersects two lines in the same
plane at different points

Corresponding Pairs of angles formed by two lines and a

angles transversal that make an F pattern
Same-side interior Pairs of angles formed by two lines and a
angles transversal that make a C pattern
Alternate interior Pairs of angles formed by two lines and a
angles transversal that make a Z pattern
Congruent triangles Triangles in which corresponding parts (sides
and angles) are equal in measure

Similar triangles Triangles in which corresponding angles are

equal in measure and corresponding sides are
in proportion (ratios equal)
Angle bisector A ray that begins at the vertex of an angle and
divides the angle into two angles of equal
measure
Segment bisector A ray, line or segment that divides a segment
into two parts of equal measure
Legs of an The sides of equal measure in an isosceles
isosceles triangle triangle

Base of an The third side of an isosceles triangle

isosceles triangle
Equiangular Having angles that are all equal in measure

Perpendicular A line that bisects a segment and is

bisector perpendicular to it
Altitude A segment from a vertex of a triangle
perpendicular to the line containing the
opposite side

Page 1 of 11
 Definitions, Postulates and Theorems
Definitions
Name Definition Visual Clue
Geometric mean The value of x in proportion
a/x = x/b where a, b, and x are positive
numbers (x is the geometric mean between a
and b)
Sine, sin For an acute angle of a right triangle, the ratio
of the side opposite the angle to the measure
of the hypotenuse. (opp/hyp)
Cosine, cos For an acute angle of a right triangle the ratio
of the side adjacent to the angle to the measure
of the hypotenuse. (adj/hyp)
Tangent, tan For an acute angle of a right triangle, the ratio
of the side opposite to the angle to the measure
of the side adjacent (opp/adj)

Algebra Postulates
Name Definition Visual Clue
Addition Prop. Of If the same number is added to equal
equality numbers, then the sums are equal
Subtraction Prop. Of If the same number is subtracted from equal
equality numbers, then the differences are equal
Multiplication Prop. If equal numbers are multiplied by the same
Of equality number, then the products are equal

Division Prop. Of If equal numbers are divided by the same

equality number, then the quotients are equal
Reflexive Prop. Of A number is equal to itself
equality

Symmetric Property If a = b then b = a

of Equality
Substitution Prop. Of If values are equal, then one value may be
equality substituted for the other.

Transitive Property of If a = b and b = c then a = c

Equality
Distributive Property a(b + c) = ab + ac

Congruence Postulates
Name Definition Visual Clue
Reflexive Property of Congruence A A
Symmetric Property of If A B, then B A
Congruence
Transitive Property of Congruence If A B and B C then
A C
Page 2 of 11
 Definitions, Postulates and Theorems

Angle Postulates And Theorems

Name Definition Visual Clue
Angle Addition For any angle, the measure of the whole is
postulate equal to the sum of the measures of its non-
overlapping parts
Linear Pair Theorem If two angles form a linear pair, then they
are supplementary.
Congruent If two angles are supplements of the same
supplements theorem angle, then they are congruent.
Congruent If two angles are complements of the same
complements angle, then they are congruent.
theorem
Right Angle All right angles are congruent.
Congruence
Theorem
Vertical Angles Vertical angles are equal in measure
Theorem
Theorem If two congruent angles are supplementary,
then each is a right angle.
Angle Bisector If a point is on the bisector of an angle, then
Theorem it is equidistant from the sides of the angle.
Converse of the If a point in the interior of an angle is
Angle Bisector equidistant from the sides of the angle, then
Theorem it is on the bisector of the angle.

Lines Postulates And Theorems

Name Definition Visual Clue
Segment Addition For any segment, the measure of the whole
postulate is equal to the sum of the measures of its
non-overlapping parts
Postulate Through any two points there is exactly
one line

Postulate If two lines intersect, then they intersect at

exactly one point.
Common Segments Given collinear points A,B,C and D
Theorem arranged as shown, if A B C D then
AC BC

Corresponding Angles If two parallel lines are intersected by a

Postulate transversal, then the corresponding angles
are equal in measure
Converse of If two lines are intersected by a transversal
Corresponding Angles and corresponding angles are equal in
Postulate measure, then the lines are parallel

Page 3 of 11
 Definitions, Postulates and Theorems
Lines Postulates And Theorems
Name Definition Visual Clue
Postulate Through a point not on a given line, there
is one and only one line parallel to the
given line
Alternate Interior If two parallel lines are intersected by a
Angles Theorem transversal, then alternate interior angles
are equal in measure
Alternate Exterior If two parallel lines are intersected by a
Angles Theorem transversal, then alternate exterior angles
are equal in measure
Same-side Interior If two parallel lines are intersected by a
Angles Theorem transversal, then same-side interior angles
are supplementary.
Converse of Alternate If two lines are intersected by a transversal
Interior Angles and alternate interior angles are equal in
Theorem measure, then the lines are parallel
Converse of Alternate If two lines are intersected by a transversal
Exterior Angles and alternate exterior angles are equal in
Theorem measure, then the lines are parallel
Converse of Same-side If two lines are intersected by a transversal
Interior Angles and same-side interior angles are
Theorem supplementary, then the lines are parallel
Theorem If two intersecting lines form a linear pair
of congruent angles, then the lines are
perpendicular
Theorem If two lines are perpendicular to the same
transversal, then they are parallel

Perpendicular If a transversal is perpendicular to one of

Transversal Theorem two parallel lines, then it is perpendicular
to the other one.

Perpendicular Bisector If a point is on the perpendicular bisector

Theorem of a segment, then it is equidistant from
the endpoints of the segment
Converse of the If a point is the same distance from both
Perpendicular Bisector the endpoints of a segment, then it lies on
Theorem the perpendicular bisector of the segment
Parallel Lines Theorem In a coordinate plane, two nonvertical
lines are parallel IFF they have the same
slope.
Perpendicular Lines In a coordinate plane, two nonvertical
Theorem lines are perpendicular IFF the product of
their slopes is -1.
Two-Transversals If three or more parallel lines intersect two
Proportionality transversals, then they divide the
Corollary transversals proportionally.

Page 4 of 11
 Definitions, Postulates and Theorems

Triangle Postulates And Theorems

Name Definition Visual Clue
Angle-Angle If two angles of one triangle are equal in measure
(AA) to two angles of another triangle, then the two
Similarity triangles are similar
Postulate
Side-side-side If the three sides of one triangle are proportional to
(SSS) the three corresponding sides of another triangle,
Similarity then the triangles are similar.
Theorem
Side-angle- If two sides of one triangle are proportional to two
side SAS) sides of another triangle and their included angles
Similarity are congruent, then the triangles are similar.
Theorem
Third Angles If two angles of one triangle are congruent to two
Theorem angles of another triangle, then the third pair of
angles are congruent
Side-Angle- If two sides and the included angle of one triangle
Side are equal in measure to the corresponding sides
Congruence and angle of another triangle, then the triangles are
Postulate congruent.
SAS
Side-side-side If three sides of one triangle are equal in measure
Congruence to the corresponding sides of another triangle, then
Postulate the triangles are congruent
SSS
Angle-side- If two angles and the included side of one triangle
angle are congruent to two angles and the included side
Congruence of another triangle, then the triangles are
Postulate congruent.
ASA
Triangle Sum The sum of the measure of the angles of a triangle
Theorem is 180o
Corollary The acute angles of a right triangle are
complementary.
Exterior angle An exterior angle of a triangle is equal in measure
theorem to the sum of the measures of its two remote
interior angles.
Triangle If a line parallel to a side of a triangle intersects the
Proportionality other two sides, then it divides those sides
Theorem proportionally.
Converse of If a line divides two sides of a triangle
Triangle proportionally, then it is parallel to the third side.
Proportionality
Theorem

Page 5 of 11
 Definitions, Postulates and Theorems
Triangle Postulates And Theorems
Name Definition Visual Clue
Triangle Angle An angle bisector of a triangle divides the opposite
Bisector sides into two segments whose lengths are
Theorem proportional to the lengths of the other two sides.

Angle-angle- If two angles and a non-included side of one

side triangle are equal in measure to the corresponding
Congruence angles and side of another triangle, then the
Theorem triangles are congruent.
AAS
Hypotenuse- If the hypotenuse and a leg of a right triangle are
Leg congruent to the hypotenuse and a leg of another
Congruence right triangle, then the triangles are congruent.
Theorem
HL
Isosceles If two sides of a triangle are equal in measure, then
triangle the angles opposite those sides are equal in
theorem measure
Converse of If two angles of a triangle are equal in measure,
Isosceles then the sides opposite those angles are equal in
triangle measure
theorem
Corollary If a triangle is equilateral, then it is equiangular

Corollary The measure of each angle of an equiangular

triangle is 60
Corollary If a triangle is equiangular, then it is also
equilateral
Theorem If the altitude is drawn to the hypotenuse of a right
triangle, then the two triangles formed are similar
to the original triangle and to each other.
Pythagorean In any right triangle, the square of the length of the
theorem hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the square of the
lengths of the legs.
Geometric The length of the altitude to the hypotenuse of a
Means right triangle is the geometric mean of the lengths
Corollary a of the two segments of the hypotenuse.
Geometric The length of a leg of a right triangle is the
Means geometric mean of the lengths of the hypotenuse
Corollary b and the segment of the hypotenuse adjacent to that
leg.
Circumcenter The circumcenter of a triangle is equidistant from
Theorem the vertices of the triangle.

Incenter The incenter of a triangle is equidistant from the

Theorem sides of the triangle.

Page 6 of 11
 Definitions, Postulates and Theorems
Triangle Postulates And Theorems
Name Definition Visual Clue
Centriod The centriod of a triangle is located 2/3 of the
Theorem distance from each vertex to the midpoint of the
opposite side.
Triangle A midsegment of a triangle is parallel to a side of
Midsegment triangle, and its length is half the length of that
Theorem side.
Theorem If two sides of a triangle are not congruent, then
the larger angle is opposite the longer side.

Theorem If two angles of a triangle are not congruent, then

the longer side is opposite the larger angle.

Triangle The sum of any two side lengths of a triangle is

Inequality greater than the third side length.
Theorem
Hinge If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two
Theorem sides of another triangle and the third sides are not
congruent, then the longer third side is across from
the larger included angle.
Converse of If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two
Hinge sides of another triangle and the third sides are not
Theorem congruent, then the larger included angle is across
from the longer third side.
Converse of If the sum of the squares of the lengths of two
the sides of a triangle is equal to the square of the
Pythagorean length of the third side, then the triangle is a right
Theorem triangle.
Pythagorean In ABC, c is the length of the longest side. If c >
Inequalities a + b, then ABC is an obtuse triangle. If c < a
Theorem + b, then ABC is acute.

45-45-90 In a 45-45-90 triangle, both legs are congruent,

Triangle and the length of the hypotenuse is the length of a
Theorem length times the square root of 2.

30-60-90 In a 30-60-90 triangle, the length of the

Triangle hypotenuse is 2 times the length of the shorter leg,
Theorem and the length of the longer leg is the length of the
shorter leg times the square root of 3.
Law of Sines For any triangle ABC with side lengths a, b, and c,
sin A sin B sin C
a b c
Law of For any triangle, ABC with sides a, b, and c,
Cosines a 2 b 2 c 2 2bc cos A, b 2 a 2 c 2 2ac cos B,
c2 a2 b2 2ac cos C

Page 7 of 11
 Definitions, Postulates and Theorems
Plane Postulates And Theorems
Name Definition Visual Clue
Postulate Through any three noncollinear points there is exactly
one plane containing them.

Postulate If two points lie in a plane, then the line containing those
points lies in the plane
Postulate If two points lie in a plane, then the line containing those
points lies in the plane

Polygon Postulates And Theorems

Name Definition Visual Clue
Polygon Angle The sum of the interior angle measures of a
Sum Theorem convex polygon with n sides.
Polygon Exterior The sum of the exterior angle measures, one
Angle Sum angle at each vertex, of a convex polygon is
Theorem 360.
Theorem If a quadrilateral is a parallelogram, then its
opposite sides are congruent.
Theorem If a quadrilateral is a parallelogram, then its
opposite angles are congruent.
Theorem If a quadrilateral is a parallelogram, then its
consecutive angles are supplementary.
Theorem If a quadrilateral is a parallelogram, then its
diagonals bisect each other.
Theorem If one pair of opposite sides of a quadrilateral are
parallel and congruent, then the quadrilateral is a
parallelogram.
Theorem If both pairs of opposite sides of a quadrilateral
are congruent, then the quadrilateral is a
parallelogram.
Theorem If both pairs of opposite angles are congruent,
then the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.
Theorem If an angle of a quadrilateral is supplementary to
both of its consecutive angles, then the
quadrilateral is a parallelogram.
Theorem If the diagonals of a quadrilateral bisect each
other, then the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.

Theorem If a quadrilateral is a rectangle, then it is a

parallelogram.

Theorem If a parallelogram is a rectangle, then its

diagonals are congruent.

Theorem If a quadrilateral is a rhombus, then it is a

parallelogram.

Page 8 of 11
 Definitions, Postulates and Theorems
Polygon Postulates And Theorems
Name Definition Visual Clue
Theorem If a parallelogram is a rhombus then its
diagonals are perpendicular.

Theorem If a parallelogram is a rhombus, then each

diagonal bisects a pair of opposite angles.

Theorem If one angle of a parallelogram is a right angle,

then the parallelogram is a rectangle.

Theorem If the diagonals of a parallelogram are

congruent, then the parallelogram is a rectangle.

Theorem If one pair of consecutive sides of a

parallelogram are congruent, then the
parallelogram is a rhombus.

Theorem If the diagonals of a parallelogram are

perpendicular, then the parallelogram is a
rhombus.

Theorem If one diagonal of a parallelogram bisects a pair

of opposite angles, then the parallelogram is a
rhombus.

Theorem If a quadrilateral is a kite then its diagonals are

perpendicular.

Theorem If a quadrilateral is a kite then exactly one pair

of opposite angles are congruent.

Theorem If a quadrilateral is an isosceles trapezoid, then

each pair of base angles are congruent.

Theorem If a trapezoid has one pair of congruent base

angles, then the trapezoid is isosceles.

Theorem A trapezoid is isosceles if and only if its

diagonals are congruent.

Trapezoid The midsegment of a trapezoid is parallel to

Midsegment each base, and its length is one half the sum of
Theorem the lengths of the bases.

Page 9 of 11
 Definitions, Postulates and Theorems
Polygon Postulates And Theorems
Name Definition Visual Clue
Proportional a
Perimeters and If the similarity ratio of two similar figures is ,
b
Areas Theorem a
then the ratio of their perimeter is and the
b
2
a2 a
ratio of their areas is 2 or
b b
Area Addition The area of a region is equal to the sum of the
Postulate areas of its nonoverlapping parts.

Circle Postulates And Theorems

Name Definition Visual Clue
Theorem If a line is tangent to a circle, then it is perpendicular
to the radius drawn to the point of tangency.
Theorem If a line is perpendicular to a radius of a circle at a
point on the circle, then the line is tangent to the
circle.
Theorem If two segments are tangent to a circle from the
same external point then the segments are
congruent.
Arc Addition The measure of an arc formed by two adjacent arcs
Postulate is the sum of the measures of the two arcs.
Theorem In a circle or congruent circles: congruent central
angles have congruent chords, congruent chords
have congruent arcs and congruent acrs have
congruent central angles.
Theorem In a circle, if a radius (or diameter) is perpendicular
to a chord, then it bisects the chord and its arc.

Theorem In a circle, the perpendicular bisector of a chord is a

radius (or diameter).

Inscribed The measure of an inscribed angle is half the

Angle measure of its intercepted arc.
Theorem
Corollary If inscribed angles of a circle intercept the same arc
or are subtended by the same chord or arc, then the
angles are congruent
Theorem An inscribed angle subtends a semicircle IFF the
angle is a right angle

Theorem If a quadrilateral is inscribed in a circle, then its

opposite angles are supplementary.

Page 10 of 11
 Definitions, Postulates and Theorems
Circle Postulates And Theorems
Name Definition Visual Clue
Theorem If a tangent and a secant (or chord) intersect on a
circle at the point of tangency, then the measure of
the angle formed is half the measure of its
intercepted arc.
Theorem If two secants or chords intersect in the interior of a
circle, then the measure of each angle formed is half
the sum of the measures of the intercepted arcs.
Theorem If a tangent and a secant, two tangents or two
secants intersect in the exterior of a circle, then the
measure of the angle formed is half the difference of
the measure of its intercepted arc.
Chord-Chord If two chords intersect in the interior of a circle,
Product then the products of the lengths of the segments of
Theorem the chords are equal.
Secant- If two secants intersect in the exterior of a circle,
Secant then the product of the lengths of one secant
Product segment and its external segment equals the product
Theorem of the lengths of the other secant segment and its
external segment.
Secant- If a secant and a tangent intersect in the exterior of a
Tangent circle, then the product of the lengths of the secant
Product segment and its external segment equals the length
Theorem of the tangent segment squared.
Equation of a The equal of a circle with center (h, k) and radius r
Circle is (x h)

Other
Name Definition Visual Clue

Page 11 of 11