CONGRUENT • EQUAL

Congruence and Triangles

• Two geometric figures are congruent if
they have exactly the same size and
shape.

• When two figures are

congruentcorresponding angles are
congruent and corresponding sides are
congruent.
 ABC =̃ PQR
B Q

A P R
C

mA  mP AB  PQ
mB  mQ BC  QR
mC  mR CA  RP
 Properties of Congruent
Triangles
• Reflexive Property: Every triangle is
congruent to itself. If ABC =̃ ABC
• Symmetric Property of Congruent
Triangles: If ABC =̃ DEF, then DEF
=̃ ABC
• Transitive Property of Congruent
Triangles:
If ABC =̃ DEF and DEF =̃ JKL, then
ABC =̃ JKL.
 Practice Problems
• Name the congruent figures
B E

D
ABC=̃ EFD
A C
F

• Given M =̃ G and N =̃ H, find the

value of x. H (2X-50)°
M
142°
N J
24 P G
°
X=32
 More Practice Problems
Given that N =̃ R and L =̃ S, find the
value of x.
M
R

N 55° 65°
L S
(2X+30)°

X=15
Given that LMN =̃ PQR,
answer the following: P

N
Q 45°

R
L 105° M

mP= 105° QR =̃ MN
mM= 45° LN =̃ PR
mR= 30°
mN= 30°
Identify any figures that can be
proved congruent. If congruent,
write a congruence statement.
A C

B D
Properties of Equality, Identity,
and Operations
 Commutative Property
a+b=b+a
(a)(b) = (b)(a)
• The Commutative Property states that the order
of the numbers may change and the
sum/product will remain the same.
• This property applies to both addition and
multiplication.
2+3=3+2
(2)(3) = (3)(2)
 Associative Property
(a + b) + c = a + (b + c)
(a · b) · c = a · (b · c)
• The Associative Property states that the
grouping of numbers can change and the
sum/product will remain the same.
• This property applies to both addition and
multiplication.
(2 + 4) + 5 = 2 + (4 + 5)
(2 · 4) · 5 = 2 · (4 · 5)
 Distributive Property of Multiplication

a (b + c) = a(b) + a(c)
a (b – c) = a(b) – a(c)
• The Distributive Property takes a number and
multiplies it by everything inside the
parentheses.
• This property works over addition and
subtraction.
2(3 + 4) = 2(3) + 2(4)
2 (5 – 2) = 2(5) – 2(2)
 Substitution Property
Solve: y = 2(x) + 4 if x = 5

• This property allows you to simplify algebraic

expressions for different values. You substitute
the given value of the variable into the equation
and solve.
y = 2(5) + 4
y = 10 + 4
y = 14
 Identity Properties
n·1=n
n+0=n
• This property shows how a given number is itself
when multiplied by 1 or added to 0.
• These are important concepts to understand
when solving single and multi-step equations.
• The one and zero act like mirrors.
4·1=4
5+0=5
Zero Property of Multiplication
n·0=0

Simply stated, any number times zero

equals zero.
 Multiplicative Inverse Property
½ (2) = 1
• This property is helpful when solving equations
where there is a fraction “attached” to a variable
by multiplication. The normal inverse operation
for multiplication is division, but in this case, you
will multiply both sides of the equation by the
reciprocal of the fraction.
½n–3=4
½ n -3 + 3 = 4 + 3
½n=7
½ n (2) = 7(2)
n = 14
 Transitive Property
If a = b and b = c, then a = c

If one quantity equals a second quantity and the

second quantity equals a third quantity, then the
first equals the third.

If 1000 mm = 100 cm and 100 cm = 1 m,

Then 1000 mm = 1m
 Symmetric Property
If a + b = c then c = a + b

If one quantity equals a second quantity, then

the second quantity equals the first.

If 10 = 4 + 6, then 4 + 6 = 10
Reflexive Property
a=a
a+b=a+b

Any quantity is equal to itself.

7=7
2+3=2+3
 We will learn to…

Identify congruent figures & their corresponding

congruent parts
 Vocabulary
size & _______
Congruent figures have the same _______ shape

•Their corresponding parts (matchingsides

_______
and angles congruent
_________ ) are _________________.
 Congruent Figures

• Their corresponding parts are

congruent, meaning:
o Matching _______have
sides the same
length
________
angles
o Matching _______have the same
degree measure
________
 Congruence & Similarity
“Congruent Figures”
Objective: To recognize congruent figures and their
corresponding congruent parts.

congruent figures: two or more figures (segments,

angles, triangles, etc.) that have the
“same shape” and the “same size”.
symbol for congruent: ≅
congruent polygons: two polygons are congruent if
all the pairs of corresponding sides and all the pairs
of corresponding angles are congruent.
 How do I know if sides or angles are congruent?

1. If figures are drawn to scale, then measure the

corresponding angles and measure the corresponding
sides.

2. If figures are not drawn to scale, by special markings.

Side Markings (“ticks”)

Angle Markings (“hoops”)

 Examples of Congruent
Polygons

"Slide", "Flip", "Turn"...Translate, Reflection,

Rotate
If two figures are congruent, then one figure can be
mapped onto the other one by a one or series of
“rigid motions”!
 Example: Given: ∆REM ≅ ∆FEM
List the corresponding congruent parts.

R F
M

“Reflexive Property of Congruence”

"If two figures share the same side or the same angle,
then the shared sides or shared angles are congruent to
each other."
Naming Congruent Parts of Congruent Figures

Angles: Sides:

Triangle Congruence Statement: _________________

 Must list correspondingvertices

___________ in the same order
Example 4: Check your understanding by completing alone! 

4a – 4 = 48
4a = 52
a=
13
Check Your Understanding!
1. Write a triangle congruence statement for the
two triangles below:

FGH JKH
Check Your Understanding!
 TRIANGLE CONGRUENCE
POSTULATES
• INCLUDED
ANGLE-
• INCLUDED
- IS THE ANGLE SIDE
BETWEEN TWO - IS THE SIDE
SIDES OF A COMMON TO
TRIANGLE TWO ANGLES
OF A
TRIANGLE
USE OF TRIANGLES
 Pyramids of Giza
Statue of Zeus

Temple of Diana at Ephesus

 Congruent Triangles
On a cable stayed bridge the cables
attached to each tower transfer the
weight of the roadway to the tower.

You can see from the smaller diagram

that the cables balance the weight
of the roadway on both sides of
each tower.

In the diagrams what type of angles

are formed by each individual cable
with the tower and roadway?

What do you notice about the triangles

on opposite sides of the towers?

Why is that so important?

 Triangles in our surroundings
We can find triangles everywhere:
In nature In man-made structures

Replay
Slide
4.1 Triangles and Angles

Classifying Triangles
 Triangle Classification by
Sides
Equilateral Isosceles Scalene

3 congruent sides At least 2 congruent sides No congruent sides

 Triangle Classification by
Equilangular
Angles
Acute Obtuse

3 congruent angles 3 acute angles 1 obtuse angle

Right
1 right angle
 Vocabulary
• Vertex: the point where two sides of a
triangle meet
Adjacent Sides: two sides of a triangle sharing
a common vertex
Hypotenuse: side of the triangle across from
the right angle
Legs: sides of the right triangle that form
the right angle
Base: the non-congruent sides of an
isosceles triangle
 Labeling Exercise
Label the following on
the right triangle: Vertex

• Vertices
• Hypotenuse Hypotenuse

• Legs Leg

Vertex
Vertex Leg
 Labeling Exercise
Label the following on the
isosceles triangle:

Adjacent Adjacent
• Base side Side
• Congruent adjacent
sides
• Legs Leg Leg

Base
m<1 = m<A + m<B
 More Definitions

Interior Angles: angles

inside the triangle
2
(angles A, B, and C)
B

1
A
 Exterior Angles: C

angles adjacent to the 3

interior angles
(angles 1, 2, and 3)
 Triangle Sum Theorem (4.1)

• The sum of the B

measures of the
interior angles of a
triangle is 180o.

A C

<A + <B + <C = 180o

Exterior Angles Theorem (4.2)
• The measure of
an exterior angle
B of a triangle is
equal to the sum
A 1 of the measures
of two
nonadjacent
interior angles.
m<1 = m <A + m <B
 Corollary (a statement that can be proved
easily using the theorem) to the
Triangle Sum Theorem

• The acute
angles of a right
triangle are B
complementary.
A

m<A + m<B = 90o

Congruence and Triangles
If Δ ABC is  to Δ
XYZ, which angle is
 to C?

Z
 Thm 4.3
3 angles thm
rd

If 2 s of one Δ are  to 2

s of another Δ, then the
3rd s are also .
 Thm 4.4
Props. of  Δs
A
• Reflexive prop of Δ  -
Every Δ is  to itself B
(ΔABC  ΔABC).
• Symmetric prop of Δ  -
C
If ΔABC  ΔPQR, then P
ΔPQR  ΔABC. Q

• Transitive prop of Δ  - R
If ΔABC  ΔPQR &
ΔPQR  ΔXYZ, then X

ΔABC  ΔXYZ. Y

Z
Given: seg RP  seg MN, seg PQ  seg NQ ,
seg RQ  seg MQ, mP=92o and mN is 92o.
Prove: ΔRQP  ΔMQN
N
R

92o
Q

92o

P M
Statements Reasons
1. 1. given
2. mP=mN 2. subst. prop =
3. P  N 3. def of  s
4. RQP  MQN 4. vert s thm
5. R  M 5. 3rd s thm
6. ΔRQP  Δ MQN 6. def of  Δs
 Corresponding Parts
In Lesson 4.2, you learned that if all six
pairs of corresponding parts (sides and
angles) are congruent, then the
triangles are congruent.
B
1. AB  DE
2. BC  EF A
C
3. AC  DF
4.  A   D
ABC   DEF
5.  B   E
E
6.  C   F F
D
 SSS - Postulate

If all the sides of one triangle are congruent to all

of the sides of a second triangle, then the triangles
are congruent. (SSS)
 Example #1 – SSS – Postulate

Use the SSS Postulate to show the two triangles

are congruent. Find the length of each side.

AC = 5
BC = 7
AB = 5  7  74
2 2

MO = 5
NO = 7
MN = 52  7 2  74
VABC VMNO
 Definition – Included Angle
J

 K is the angle between

JK and KL. It is called the
K
included angle of sides JK
L
and KL.

What is the included angle J

for sides KL and JL?

L
K
L
 SAS - Postulate
If two sides and the included angle of one triangle
are congruent to two sides and the included angle
of a second triangle, Lthen the triangles are
congruent. (SAS)
S
A S P Q
J A
K
S S

VJKL VPQR by SAS R

 Example #2 – SAS – Postulate
K
L
Given: N is the midpoint of LW
N
N is the midpoint of SK
Prove: VLNS VWNK W
S

N is the midpoint of LW Given

N is the midpoint of SK

LN  NW , SN  NK Definition of Midpoint

LNS WNK Vertical Angles are congruent

VLNS VWNK SAS Postulate
 Definition – Included Side
J
JK is the side between
 J and  K. It is called
J the
included side of angles J
K
and K.
L

K
What is the included side L
for angles K and L?

KL
 ASA - Postulate
If two angles and the included side of one triangle
are congruent to two angles and the included side
of a second triangle, then the triangles are
congruent. (ASA)
J X
Y

K
L
Z
VJKL VZXY by ASA
 H
Example #3 – ASA – Postulate A

Given: HA || KS W
AW WK
K
Prove: VHAW VSKW S

HA || KS, AW WK Given

HAW SKW Alt. Int. Angles are congruent

HWA SWK Vertical Angles are congruent

VHAW VSKW ASA Postulate

METEORITES
When a meteoroid (a piece of rocky or
metallic matter from space) enters Earth’s
atmosphere, it heatsup, leaving a trail of
burning gases called a meteor. Meteoroid
fragments that reach Earth without
burningup are called meteorites.
• On December 9, 1997, an extremely bright meteor lit up the sky
above Greenland. Scientists attempted to find meteorite fragments
by collecting data from eyewitnesses who had seen the meteor pass
through the sky. As shown, the scientists were able to describe
sightlines from observers in different towns. One sightline was from
observers in Paamiut (Town P) and another was from observers in
Narsarsuaq (Town N). Assuming the sightlines were accurate, did
the scientists have enough information to locate any meteorite
fragments? Explain. ( this example is taken from your text book pg.
222
 Identify the Congruent Triangles.
Identify the congruent triangles (if any). State the
postulate by which the triangles are congruent.
A
J
R

B H I
C
S T
K O
U

M L P N V W

VABC VSTR by SSS Note: VJHI is not

VPNO VVUW by SAS SSS, SAS, or ASA.
 Example #4 – Paragraph Proof
A

Given: VMAT is isosceles with T

vertex MAT bisected by AH.
H
Prove: MH  HT M

• Sides MA and AT are congruent by the definition of an

isosceles triangle.
• Angle MAH is congruent to angle TAH by the definition
of an angle bisector.
• Side AH is congruent to side AH by the reflexive property.
• Triangle MAH is congruent to triangle TAH by SAS.
• Side MH is congruent to side HT by CPCTC.
 Example #5 – Column Proof Q P

Given: QM || PO,QM  MO
QM  PO, MO has midpoint N
Prove: QN  PN M N O

QM || PO, QM  MO
Given
QM  PO

PO  MO A line  to one of two || lines is  to the other line.

mQMN  90o Perpendicular lines intersect at 4 right

angles.
mPON  90o
QMN PON Substitution, Def of Congruent Angles
Definition of Midpoint
VQMN VPON SAS

QN  PN CPCTC
 Summary

• Triangles may be proved congruent by

Side – Side – Side (SSS) Postulate
Side – Angle – Side (SAS) Postulate, and
Angle – Side – Angle (ASA) Postulate.
 Parts of triangles may be shown to be
congruent by Congruent Parts of
Congruent Triangles are Congruent
(CPCTC).
 Angle-Angle-Side Theorem
• If two angles and a non included side of
one triangle are congruent to two angles
and non included side of a second
triangle, then the two triangles are
congruent.
Prove this theorem in group by
two and share.
Do you need all six ?

NO !

SSS
SAS
ASA
AAS
 Solve a real-world problem

Structural Support

Explain why the bench with the diagonal support is

stable, while the one without the support can collapse.
 Solve a real-world problem

SOLUTION

The bench with a diagonal support forms triangles with

fixed side lengths. By the SSS Congruence Postulate,
these triangles cannot change shape, so the bench is
stable. The bench without a diagonal support is not
stable because there are many possible quadrilaterals
with the given side lengths.
Warning: No SSA Postulate

There is no such
thing as an SSA
postulate!

B E

F
A C
D

NOT CONGRUENT
Warning: No AAA Postulate
There is no such
thing as an AAA
postulate!

E
B

A C F
D

NOT CONGRUENT
Tell whether you can use the
given information at determine
whether
ABC   DEF

A  D, ABDE, ACDF

AB  EF, BC  FD, AC DE

The Congruence Postulates &
Theorem
 SSS correspondence

 ASA correspondence

 SAS correspondence

 AAS correspondence

 SSA correspondence

 AAA correspondence
Name That Postulate
(when possible)

SAS
ASA

SSA SSS
 Name That Postulate
(when possible)

AAA
ASA

SAS SSA
 Name That Postulate
(when possible)

Vertical
Angles
Reflexive
Property SAS SAS

Vertical Reflexive
Angles SAS Property SSA
HW: Name That Postulate
(when possible)
 Closure
Indicate the additional information needed to
enable us to apply the specified congruence
postulate.

For ASA:

For SAS:

For AAS:
 Let’s Practice
Indicate the additional information needed to
enable us to apply the specified congruence
postulate.

For ASA: B  D
For SAS: AC  FE
For AAS: A  F
Now For The Fun Part…
 J

Given: JO  SH;
O is the midpoint of SH
Prove:  SOJ  HOJ
S 0 H
Write a two column Proof
Given: BC bisects AD and A   D

Prove: AB  DC A C
E
B D
Isosceles, Equilateral, and Right
Triangles
 4.6 Isosceles, Equilateral, and Right
Triangles
• The two angles in an isosceles triangle
adjacent to the base of the triangle are
called base angles.
• The angle opposite the base is called the
vertex angle. le
x Ang l
Verte

Base Angle Base Angle

 Base Angles Theorem
• If two sides of a triangle
A
are congruent, then the
angles opposite them
are congruent.

If AB  AC , thenB  C

C B
 Converse to the Base Angles
Theorem
• If two angles of a
triangle are congruent,
then the sides opposite
them are congruent.

IfB  C , then AB  AC
 Corollary to the Base Angles
Theorem
• If a triangle is equilateral, then it is
equiangular.
 Corollary to the Converse of the Base
Angles Theorem
• If a triangle is equiangular, then it is
equilateral.
 IsA  B ?
C
A
C
B
A

A B C B

Yes
Yes No
 Hypotenuse-Leg (HL) Congruence
Theorem
• If the hypotenuse and a A D
leg of a right triangle
are congruent to the
hypotenuse and a leg of
a second right triangle,
then the two triangles B C E F
are congruent.

If BC  EF and AC  DF , thenABC  DEF

 Practice Problems
• Find the measure of the missing angles and tell
which theorems you used. B

A 50° C
A C

m  B=80° m  A=60°
(Base Angle Theorem) m  B=60°
m  C=50° m  C=60°
(Triangle Sum (Corollary to the Base
Theorem) Angles Theorem)
 More Practice Problems
Is there enough information to prove the
triangles are congruent?
S
T

U
R V
No Yes No