Chapter 3

Congruent Triangles

LESSON 3.1. Congruent Triangles

Objectives:

This lesson deals with the congruence of geometrical figures. Particularly,

1. Examine theorems that the triangles are congruent

2. Prove that the triangles are congruent

3.1.1. Congruence of Triangles

Congruent triangles are triangles that have the same size and shape. This means that
the corresponding sides are equal and the corresponding angles are equal. Using the
figure below, △ 𝑨𝑩𝑪 ≅△ 𝑫𝑬𝑭 if the corresponding angles and corresponding sides
have the same measures. That is, ∠𝐴 ≅, ∠𝐷, , ∠𝐵 ≅, ∠𝐸, , ∠𝐶 ≅, ∠𝐹, 𝐴𝐵 ̅̅̅̅ ≅ 𝐷𝐸
̅̅̅̅ ,
̅̅̅̅ ≅ 𝐷𝐹
𝐴𝐶 ̅̅̅̅ ≅ 𝐸𝐹
̅̅̅̅ and 𝐵𝐶 ̅̅̅̅ .

C F

A B D E

However, we can tell whether two triangles are congruent without testing all the sides and all the angles
of the two triangles. There are ways to show the congruence of triangles such as the following
postulates:

1. SSS Postulate

If three sides of one triangle are congruent to three sides of another triangle, the triangles
are congruent.

2. SAS Postulate

If two sides and the included angle of one triangle are congruent to two sides and the
included angle of another triangle, then the triangles are congruent.
 3. HL Postulate

If the hypotenuse and a leg of one right triangle are congruent to the hypotenuse and a leg
of another right triangle, the triangles are congruent.

4. ASA Postulate

If two angles and the included side of one triangle are congruent to two angles and the
included side of another triangle, the triangles are congruent.

Additional ways to prove triangle congruence:

AAS Theorem: If two angles and a not-included side of one triangle are congruent to the corresponding
parts of another triangle, the triangles are congruent.

HA Corollary: If the hypotenuse and an acute angle of one right triangle re congruent to the hypotenuse
and acute angle of another right triangle, the triangles are congruent.

LA Corollary: If a leg and an acute angle of one right triangle are congruent to the corresponding parts of
another triangle, the triangles are congruent.

Example 1. State the postulate, theorem or corollary you would use to prove △ 𝑨𝑩𝑪 ≅△ 𝑫𝑬𝑭

a. Given: ∠𝐶 and ∠𝐹 are right △, 𝐴𝐶 ̅̅̅̅ ≅ 𝐷𝐹̅̅̅̅ , ∠𝐵 ≅ ∠𝐸

b. ̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅
Given: ∠𝐶 ≅ ∠𝐹, 𝐵𝐶 ≅ 𝐸𝐹 , 𝐴𝐶 ≅ 𝐷𝐹̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅
c. Given: ∠𝐴 ≅ ∠𝐷, , 𝐴𝐵 ̅̅̅̅ ≅ ̅̅̅̅
𝐷𝐸 , ∠𝐵 ≅ ∠𝐸
d. ̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅
Given: , 𝐵𝐶 ⊥ 𝐴𝐶 , 𝐸𝐹 ⊥ 𝐷𝐹 , 𝐴𝐵 ̅̅̅̅ ≅ ̅̅̅̅
𝐷𝐸 , ∠𝐵 ≅ ∠𝐸

Answer: a) LA corollary; b) SAS Postulate; c) ASA Postulate; d) HA corollary

 Example 2.

Using the figure on the right, show that if ∠𝑋𝑅𝑂 ≅

∠𝑌𝑇𝑂, and ∠𝑂𝑅𝑇 ≅ ∠𝑂𝑇𝑅 , then △ 𝑋𝑅𝑇 ≅△ 𝑌𝑇𝑅

Using two-column proof:

Statement Reason
1. ∠𝑋𝑅𝑂 ≅ ∠𝑌𝑇𝑂, 1. Given
∠𝑂𝑅𝑇 ≅ ∠𝑂𝑇𝑅
2. 𝑚∠𝑋𝑅𝑂 = 𝑚∠𝑌𝑇𝑂, 2. Definition of congruence
𝑚∠𝑂𝑅𝑇 = 𝑚∠𝑂𝑇𝑅
3. 𝑚∠𝑋𝑅𝑂 + 𝑚∠𝑂𝑅𝑇 = 𝑚∠𝑌𝑇𝑂 + 𝑚∠𝑂𝑇𝑅 3. Addition Property of Equality
4. 𝑚∠𝑋𝑅𝑂 + 𝑚∠𝑂𝑅𝑇 = 𝑚∠𝑋𝑅𝑇 and 4. Angle Addition Theorem
𝑚∠𝑌𝑇𝑂 + 𝑚∠𝑂𝑇𝑅 = 𝑚∠𝑌𝑇𝑅
5. 𝑚∠𝑋𝑅𝑇 = 𝑚∠𝑌𝑇𝑅 5. Substitution Principle
6. 𝑅𝑇 = 𝑇𝑅 6. Reflexive property of equality
7. 𝑚∠𝑋𝑇𝑅 = 𝑚∠𝑌𝑇𝑅 7. Given
8. △ 𝑋𝑅𝑇 ≅△ 𝑌𝑇𝑅
8. ASA postulate
Name: ____________________________________ Date: _________________
Section Code: ___________________________ Sched: ________________

EXERCISES 3.1 : How do you answer?

Given the two triangles △ 𝐴𝐵𝐾 and △ 𝐵𝐴𝐽 lie in a plane. Use the two-column proof in
proving the statement below.

1. Given: ∠𝐽𝐴𝐵 ≅ ∠𝐾𝐵𝐴; ∠1 ≅ ∠2

Prove: △ 𝐴𝐵𝐾 ≅△ 𝐵𝐴𝐽

Statement Reason

2. Given: 𝐴𝐾 = 𝐵𝐽; 𝐴𝐶 = 𝐵𝐶
Prove: △ 𝐴𝐶𝐽 ≅△ 𝐵𝐶𝐾

Statement Reason
3.2. Isosceles Triangle

Isosceles triangle is a triangle with two congruent sides. The congruent sides are called the legs
and the third side is called the base. The angle that includes the base is called the base angle , and
the third angle is called the vertex angle. The altitude of the triangle is perpendicular segment
from any vertex to the line that contains the opposite side. The median of the triangle is the
segment from any vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side.

̅̅̅̅ and 𝐵𝐶
𝐴𝐶 ̅̅̅̅ are the legs, 𝐴𝐵
̅̅̅̅ is the base, , ∠𝐴
and , ∠𝐵 are the base angles, and ∠𝐶 is the
vertex angle

Properties:

1. If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite those sides are congruent. In
other words, base angles of an isosceles triangle are congruent.
2. An equilateral triangle is also equiangular.
3. Each angle of an equilateral triangle has measure 60.
4. If two angles of a triangle are congruent, then the sides opposite those angles are congruent.
5. An equiangular triangle is also equilateral.

Example.1

Prove: If two angles of a triangle are congruent, then the sides opposite those angles are congruent.

Let △ 𝐴𝐵𝐶 be a triangle with ∠𝐴 ≅ ∠𝐵. We want to show that

̅̅̅̅ ≅ 𝐵𝐶
𝐴𝐶 ̅̅̅̅ .

̅̅̅̅ to get two new triangles that

Analysis: Draw an auxiliary line 𝐶𝐷
can be proved congruent.

D
By two-column proof:

Statement Reason
1. ∠𝐴 ≅ ∠𝐵 1. Given
2. ̅̅̅̅ be the bisector of angle
Let 𝐶𝐷 2. An angle has exactly one bisector
C. (Theorem)
3. ∠𝐴𝐶𝐷 ≅ ∠𝐵𝐶𝐷 3. By definition of angle bisector
4. ̅̅̅̅ ≅ 𝐶𝐷
𝐶𝐷 ̅̅̅̅ 4. Reflexive property of congruence
5. △ 𝐴𝐶𝐷 ≅△ 𝐵𝐶𝐷 5. by AAS congruence
6. ̅̅̅̅ ≅ 𝐵𝐶
𝐴𝐶 ̅̅̅̅ 6. Corresponding parts of congruent
triangles are also congruent
Writing the Proof Using paragraph form:

Example.1

Prove: If two angles of a triangle are congruent, then the sides opposite those angles are congruent.

Proof:

Let △ 𝐴𝐵𝐶 be a triangle with ∠𝐴 ≅ ∠𝐵. By theorem, an angle has exactly one bisector. Let 𝐶𝐷 ̅̅̅̅
be the bisector of angle C. By definition of angle bisector, ∠𝐴𝐶𝐷 ≅ ∠𝐵𝐶𝐷. This implies that 𝐶𝐷 ̅̅̅̅ in∠𝐴𝐶𝐷
is congruent to 𝐶𝐷̅̅̅̅ in∠𝐵𝐶𝐷, i.e., 𝐶𝐷
̅̅̅̅ ≅ 𝐶𝐷
̅̅̅̅ by reflexive property. Since ∠𝐴 ≅ ∠𝐵, ∠𝐴𝐶𝐷 ≅ ∠𝐵𝐶𝐷 , and
̅̅̅̅ ≅ 𝐶𝐷
𝐶𝐷 ̅̅̅̅, by AAS congruence, △ 𝐴𝐶𝐷 ≅△ 𝐵𝐶𝐷. Hence, the corresponding sides, 𝐴𝐶 ̅̅̅̅ and𝐵𝐶
̅̅̅̅ are also
̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅
congruent. That is, 𝐴𝐶 ≅ 𝐵𝐶 . ∎
Name: ____________________________________ Date: _________________
Section Code: ___________________________ Sched: ________________

EXERCISES 3.2. : How do you

answer?

1. Refer to the figure on the right.

You can use the old method to learn the distance from
point P on land to a ship S. Take a point Q. Measure ∠1
and ∠2. Make ∠3 ≅ ∠1 and ∠4 ≅ ∠2. Why does PS’
give the desired distance?

2. Prove that if two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite those sides are
congruent. In other words, base angles of an isosceles triangle are congruent. Use auxiliary
line which is perpendicular from the vertex to the base line. Assume that the perpendicular
intersects the base segment.
3.3. Applying Congruent Triangles: Quadrilaterals

https://www.aplustopper.com/different-types-of-quadrilaterals/

Quadrilaterals are any four-sided closed figure. The figure above displays the different types of
quadrilaterals.

Types of Quadrilaterals:

Kite

Definition: It is a quadrilateral having two pairs of sides, each pair is made of two congruent sides
that join up.
Properties:

1. The angles where the two pairs meet are equal.

2. The diagonals meet at the right angle.
3. One of the diagonals, meet at a right angle.

https://www.mathsisfun.com/quadrilaterals.
html
Parallelogram

Definition: It is a quadrilateral in which both pairs of opposite sides are parallel.

Properties:

1. A diagonal of a parallelogram separates the parallelogram in two congruent

triangles.
2. Opposite angles of a parallelogram are congruent.
3. Both pairs of opposite sides of a parallelogram are congruent and parallel.
4. If two lines are parallel, all points of each line equidistant from the other line.
5. The diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other.
6. If both pairs of opposite sides of a quadrilateral are congruent, the quadrilateral is a
parallelogram.

Theorems involving Triangle:

1. The segment joining the midpoints of two sides of a triangle is parallel to the third side and its
length is half the length of the third side.
2. If three parallel lines cut off congruent segments on one transversal, they cut congruent
segment on every transversal.

Rectangles, Rhombuses, and Squares

Definition: Rectangle is a parallelogram with four right angles.

A rhombus is a parallelogram with four congruent sides.

A square is a rectangle with two consecutive sides congruent.

Properties:

1. The diagonals of a rectangles are congruent.

2. The diagonals of a rhombus are perpendicular.
3. Each diagonal of a rhombus bisects two angles of the rhombus.
Trapezoid

Definition: A trapezoid is a quadrilateral with exactly two sides parallel. The parallel sides are the
bases and the other two sides are legs.

An isosceles trapezoid is a trapezoid with congruent legs.

The median of a trapezoid is the segment joining the midpoints of the legs.

Properties:

1. The median of the trapezoid is parallel to the bases; it has lengths equal to the half
the sum of the lengths of the bases.
2. Base angles of isosceles trapezoid are congruent.
3. The diagonals of an isosceles trapezoid are congruent.
Name: ____________________________________ Date: _________________
Section Code: ___________________________ Sched: ________________

EXERCISES: How do you answer?

1. True or False
1. All rectangles are parallelogram.
2. All squares are rhombuses.
3. All squares are rectangles.
4. All rectangles are rhombuses.
5. A trapezoid is also a parallelogram.

2. Prove: if the diagonals of a parallelogram are congruent, the parallelogram is a rectangle.

(Use paragraph form)

3. Given: Square RSTQ; 𝑅𝐽 = 𝑆𝐾 = 𝑇𝐿 = 𝑄𝑀 = 𝑎

𝐽𝑆 = 𝐾𝑇 = 𝐿𝑄 = 𝑀𝑅 = 𝑏

Prove: Quad JKLM is a square.