Testing for Congruent Triangles Examples

1. Why is congruency important? In 1913, Henry Ford began producing automobiles using an assembly line. When products are mass-produced, each piece must be interchangeable, so they must have the same size and shape. Each piece is an exact copy of the others, and any piece can be made to coincide with the others. 2. Student activity Have students draw a triangle and cut it out. Use it as a pattern to draw a second triangle and cut that triangle out. If one triangle is placed on top of the other, the two coincide or match exactly. This means that each part of the first triangle matches exactly the corresponding part of the second triangle. You have made a pair of congruent triangles. 3. If ABC is congruent to RST ( ABC RST), the vertex labeled A corresponds to the vertex labeled R, vertex B corresponds to S, and vertex C corresponds to T. This correspondence can be described in terms of angles and sides as follows. A corresponds to R B corresponds to S C corresponds to T

AB corresponds to RS BC corresponds to ST AC corresponds to RT

Since the two triangles match exactly, the corresponding parts are congruent.

4.

Definition of Congruent Triangles (CPCTC)

Two triangles are congruent if and only if their corresponding parts are congruent.

The abbreviation CPCTC means Corresponding Parts of Congruent Triangles are Congruent.

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5. Example A triangular wedge is used to anchor the seat belts of a car. a. Draw two identical wedges and label the vertices P, R, and S on one part and K, L, and M on the other so that PRS KLM. Then mark the congruent parts.

b. What angle in PRS is congruent to K in KLM? K c. Which side of KLM is congruent to PS in PRS? RS

P is congruent to

KM is congruent to

Point out the importance of the order of the letters in a statement of congruence. PRS KLM, but PRS is not congruent MLK.

6. Example The Adams family is having their game room renovated. This room will have two triangular windows. a. Draw two identical windows and label the vertices ABC on one window and DEF on the other so that ABC DEF.

b. What angle in ABC is congruent to F in DEF?

c. Which side of DEF is congruent to AC in ABC? DF 7. Congruence of triangles, like congruence of segments and angles, is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive. Theorem Congruence of triangles is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive.

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a. Prove that congruence of triangles is reflexive. Given: XYZ Prove : XYZ XYZ Statements XYZ X X, Y Y, Z Z XY XY , YZ YZ , XZ XZ XYZ XYZ Reasons Given Congruence of s is reflexive. Congruence of segments is reflexive. Definition of congruent triangles

b. Prove that congruence of triangles is Symmetric.

Statements LMN OPQ L O, M P, N Q, LM OP , MN PQ , LN OQ O L, P M, Q N OP LM , PQ MN , OQ LN OPQ LMN

Reasons Given CPCTC Congruence of angles is symmetric. Congruence of segments is symmetric. Definition of congruent triangles.

c. Prove that congruence of triangles is transitive. Given: ABC DEF, DEF GHI Prove ABC GHI Paragraph Proof: We are given that ABC DEF. By the definition of congruent triangles, the corresponding parts of the triangles are congruent. So, A D, B E, C F, AB DE , BC EF , and AC DF . It is also given that DEF GHI, so by the definition of congruent triangles, D G, E H, F I, DE GH , EF HI , and DF GI . Since congruence of angles is transitive, A G, B H, C I. Congruence of segments is transitive, so AB GH , BC HI , and AC GI . Therefore, ABC GHI by the definition of congruent triangles.

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8.

Side-Side-Side (SSS) Postulate

If the sides of one triangle are congruent to the sides of a second triangle, then the triangles are congruent.

The SSS postulate can be used to prove triangles congruent. 9.

Given: AB DB , AC CD Prove: ABC DBC

Statements

Reasons
Given Given Common Side (Reflexive Property)

AB DB
AC CD BC CB
ABC DBC

SSS

10. Example Given ABC with vertices A(0, 5), B(2, 0), and C(0, 0) and RST with vertices R(5, 8), S(5, 3), T(3, 3), show that ACB RST. Use the distance formula to show that the corresponding sides are congruent. AC = AC = RS = RS = AB = AB = RT = RT = CB = CB = ST =

(0 0) 2 + (5 0) 2
25 = 5

(5 5) 2 + (8 3) 2
25 = 5

(0 2) 2 + (5 0) 2
29

(5 3) 2 + (8 3) 2
29

( 0 2) 2 + ( 0 0) 2
4 =2

(5 3) 2 + (3 3) 2

ST = 4 = 2 All the pairs of corresponding sides are congruent, so ACB RST by SSS.

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11. Example Given PQR with vertices P(3, 4), Q(2, 2), and R(7, 2) and STU with vertices S(6, -3), T(4, -2), and U(4, -7), show that PQR STU.

Use the distance formula to show that the corresponding sides are congruent. PQ = PQ = PR = PR = QR = QR = TU = TU = ST = ST = SU = SU =

(3 2) 2 + (4 2) 2
5

(3 7) 2 + (4 2) 2
20 = 2 5

( 2 7 ) 2 + ( 2 2) 2
25 = 5

(4 4) 2 + (2 (7)) 2
25 = 5

(6 4) 2 = (3 (2)) 2
5

(6 4) 2 + (3 (7)) 2
20 = 2 5

All the pairs of corresponding sides are congruent, so PQR STU by SSS.

12. Side-Angle-Side (SAS) Postulate

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

13. Example:

Given: WZ YZ , VZ ZX Prove: VZW XZY Statements WZ YZ , VZ ZX WZV YZX VZW XZY Reasons Given Vertical s are SAS

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14. Example:

Given: AC CD, BC CE Prove: ABC DEC

Statements
AC CD BC CE
(Included Angle) ACB ABC DEC Given Given

Reasons

DCE Vertical Angles SAS

15. Example:

Given: 1 and 2 are right angles, ST TP Prove: 3 4

Statements
1 and 2 are right angles, ST TP 1 2

Reasons Given Al rt s are Congruence of segments is reflexive SAS CPCTC

TR TR
STR PTR 3 4

16.

Angle-Side-Angle (ASA)

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.

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17. Example:

Given: Q and S are right angles, QR SR Prove: P T

Statements

Reasons Given Vertical s are Given All rt. s are ASA CPCTC

QR SR
PRQ TRS Q and S are right angles Q S

PQR TRS
P T

18. Example:

Given: BE bisects AD , A D Prove: AB DC Statements Reasons

BE bisects AD , A D Given
1 2

Vertical s are Def. of bisector ASA CPCTC

AE ED
AEB DEC AB DC

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Name:___________________ Date:____________ Class:___________________

Testing for Congruent Triangles Worksheet

1. 2. 3. Draw triangles TLA and RSB. Mark the corresponding parts for TLA RSB. Describe how you would tell if two triangles were congruent. If two triangles are congruent, what conclusions can you make? Give an example to illustrate your answer.

Complete each congruence statement.

4.

ARM _____

5.

SPT _____

Write a congruence statement for the congruent triangles in each diagram.

6.

7.

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Explain why the following pairs of triangles are not congruent.

8.

Prove the following:

9. Given:

AB || RT
AR AB BT RT AB RT AR TB

Prove: ABR TRB Refer to ALM and PRT . Name one additional pair of corresponding parts that need to be congruent in order to prove that ALM PRT . What postulate would you use to prove the triangles are congruent?

10.

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Determine whether each pair of triangles are congruent. If they are congruent, indicate the postulate that can be used to prove their congruence.

11.

12.

13.

14.

Write a two-column proof. Given:

MO PQ
NO bisects MP

Prove: MNO PNO

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Testing for Congruent Triangles Worksheet Key

1. Draw triangles TLA and RSB. Mark the corresponding parts for TLA RSB.

2. Describe how you would tell if two triangles were congruent. pairs of corresponding parts are congruent

See if the six

3. If two triangles are congruent, what conclusions can you make? Give an example to illustrate your answer. The six pairs of corresponding parts are congruent. For example, if ABC RTS , then A R, B T, C S, AB RT , BC TS , and AC RS .

Complete each congruence statement.

4. ARM LEG 5. SPT PSK

Write a congruence statement for the congruent triangles in each diagram.

6.
OAB AOD MIT NIT

7.

Explain why the following pairs of triangles are not congruent.

8. The congruent parts are not corresponding.

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Prove the following:

9. Given:

AB || RT
AR AB BT RT AB RT AR TB

Prove: ABR TRB

Statement AB || RT , AR AB , BT RT

Reason Given

AB RT , AR TB BAR and RTB are Right angles BAR RTB ABR TRB
ABR

TRB

BR RB ABR TRB

lines form four rt. angles All rt. Angles are If 2 || lines are cut by a transversal, alt. Interior angles are If 2 angles in a are to 2 angles in another , the third angles are also Congruence of segments is reflexive Definition of congruent triangles

10. Refer to ALM and PRT . Name one additional pair of corresponding parts that need to be congruent in order to prove that ALM PRT . What postulate would you use to prove the triangles are congruent? AM PR

ASA Determine whether each pair of triangles are congruent. If they are congruent, indicate the postulate that can be used to prove their congruence.
11. ASA 12. SSS 13. Not congruent

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14. Write a two-column proof. Given:

MO PQ
NO bisects MP

Prove: MNO PNO

Statement MO PQ
NO bisects MP MN PN NO NO MNO PNO

Reason Given Definition of bisector Congruence of segments is reflexive SSS

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Name: ____________ Date:__________ Class:_____________

Testing for Congruent Triangles Checklist

1. On questions 1 thru 3, did the student answer each question correctly? a. b. 2. Yes (15 points) 2 out of 3 (10 points) c. 1 out of 3 (5 points)

On questions 4 and 5, did the student state the correct congruence statement? a. Yes (10 points) b. 1 out of 2 (5 points)

3.

On questions 6 and 7, did the student state the correct congruence statement? a. Yes (10 points) b. 1 out of 2 (5 points)

4.

On question 8, did the student explain why the triangles are not congruent? a. Yes (5 points)

5.

On question 9, did the student write a correct proof? a. Yes (5 points)

6.

On question 10, did the student name an additional pair of corresponding parts that need to be congruent in order to prove ALM TRB? a. Yes (5 points)

7.

On question 10, did the student name the correct postulate to prove triangles congruent? a. Yes (5 points)

8.

On questions 11 thru 13, did the student determine which pair of triangles are congruent? a. b. Yes (15 points) 2 out of 3 (10 points) c. 1 out of 3 (5 points

9.

On questions 11 thru 13, did the student indicate the correct postulate to prove the congruence? a. b. Yes (15 points) 2 out of 3 (10 points) c. 1 out of 3 (5 points)

10. On question 14, did the student a correct write a two-column proof? a. Yes (5 points)

Total Number of Points _________

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NOTE: The sole purpose of this checklist is to aide the teacher in identifying students that need remediation. It is suggested that teachers devise their own point range for determining grades. In addition, some students need remediation in specific areas. The following checklist provides a means for the teacher to access which areas need addressing.

1.

Does the student need remediation in content (corresponding parts of congruent triangles) for questions 1 thru 3? Yes__________ No__________ Does the student need remediation in content (completing congruence statements) for questions 4 and 5? Yes_________ No__________ Does the student need remediation in content (writing congruence statements) for questions 6 and 7? Yes__________ No__________ Does the student need remediation in content (explaining why triangles are not congruent) for question 8? Yes__________ No__________ Does the student need remediation in content (proving a statement) for question 9? Yes__________ No__________ Does the student need remediation in content (analyzing congruent triangles) for question 10? Yes__________ No__________ Does the student need remediation in content (using postulates to prove congruence) for questions 11 thru 13? Yes__________ No__________ Does the student need remediation in content (writing two-column proofs for congruence) for question 14? Yes__________ No__________

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

A 85 points and above B 81 points and above C 72 points and above D 63 points and above F 62 points and below

Sample Range of Points!

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