Congruence and Similarity

In Geometry, Figures that have the

same shape and size are called
congruent figures.
Figures that have the same shape
but different sizes are called similar
figures.

Congruence
Figures that have the same
shape and size are said to be
congruent. For example,

Congruent Triangles
Two triangles are congruent if all their
conrresponding sides and angles are
equal. For Example,

Conditions for Triangles

to be Congruent
However, in certain cases, knowing that three pairs
of corresponding parts are equal is sufficient to
conclude that two triangles are congruent.
If two triangles are congruent, there are six paires
of corresponding parts which are equal.

Case I (SSS) :
Two triangles are congruent if all their
corresponding sides are equal.
i.e. If AB = XY, BC = YZ and CA = ZX,
then ABC XYZ.
A

Case II (SAS) :
If two sides and the included angle of one
triangle are to the corresponding parts of
another triangle, the two triangles are
congruent.
i.e. If AB = XY, A = X, CA = ZX,
then ABC XYZ
A

Case IIIa (ASA) :

If two angles and the included side of one
triangle are equal to the corresponding
parts of another triangle, the two
triangles are congruent.
i.e. If B = Y, BC = YZ, C = Z,
then ABC XYZ.
A

Case IIIb (AAS) :

If two angles and any side of one triangle
are equal to the corresponding parts of
another triangle, the two triangles are
also congruent.
i.e. If B = Y, A = X, and AC = XZ,
then ABC XYZ
A

Case IV (RHS) :
If the hypotenuese and one side of a
right-angled triangle are equal to the
corresponding parts of another rightangled triangle, the two triangles are also
congruent.
i.e. If C = Z = 90 , AB = XY, BC = YZ,
then ABC XYZ

Here are some examples to

examine what you have
learnt.
In each of the following, tell whether the given
pair of triangles are congruent or not.
For each pair of congruent triangles, choose the
correct condition:

1.

Are they congruent ? Pls click on your answer

No

Yes, why ?
SSS
SAS
ASA
AAS
RHS

2.

Are they congruent ? Pls click on your answer

No

Yes, why ?
SSS
SAS
ASA
AAS
RHS

3.

Are they congruent ? Pls click on your answer

No

Yes, why ?
SSS
SAS
ASA
AAS
RHS

4.

Are they congruent ? Pls click on your answer

No

Yes, why ?
SSS
SAS
ASA
AAS
RHS

Similar Triangles

What are similar?

Similar

figures must have the

same shape but may have
different sizes.

Examples of similar figures

Properties of similar
triangles
their

corresponding angles are

equal
their corresponding sides are
proportional

Example
A

C
X

If the given 2 triangles

are similar, then
A = X,
B = Y,
C = Z and
AB = k (XY),
BC = k (YZ),
CA = k (ZX),
for some nonzero k.

Tests for
similar triangles

(I)Reference: AAA
If

the corresponding angles of 2

triangles are equal, then the 2
triangles are similar.

(II)Reference: 3 sides
prop.
If

the corresponding sides of 2

triangles are proportional, then
the 2 triangles are similar.

(III) Reference:
Ratio of 2 sides,
inc. angles
If

2 pairs of corresponding sides

of 2 triangles are proportional,
and the included angles are equal,
then the 2 triangles are similar.

Summary
AAA

3 sides prop.
Similar triangles

ratio of 2 sides, inc. angles