Geometry
Class 3 Notes: Congruent Triangles
Class Topics
This lesson centers on triangle congruence theorems, including the ASA, SAS, and SSS criteria. It also
explores criteria that are not sufficient to determine congruence, such as AAA and SSA. We then practice
applying the triangle congruence theorems to prove congruence of sides or angles, or show that lines are
parallel.
Readings
Sections 3.1-3.5
Triangle Congruence Theorems
Generally, two shapes are called congruent if they can be positioned to line up exactly with each other. If
we have two congruent triangles, that means all the corresponding pairs of sides are equal, as are the
corresponding angles. Conversely, if all pairs of corresponding sides of two triangles have equal lengths,
and all the corresponding angles of the two triangles are equal, then the triangles are congruent.
It appears that proving that two triangles are congruent involves proving 6 equalities! Fortunately, there
are quicker ways to prove triangle congruence, which we explore below.
• SAS Congruence
Imagine you want to draw a triangle ABC with AB = 8 cm and
AC = 5 cm. There are many different-looking triangles you can C
draw meeting these conditions, as there is no restriction on the 5 cm
angle between these two sides. However, if we add the condition 60◦
that ∠A = 60◦ , then the two sides get ”locked in place” and only one B
A 8 cm
triangle meets all 3 conditions (up to reflection).
This provides support for the SAS Congruence Theorem: If two sides of one triangle and the angle
between them are equal to the corresponding sides and angle of another triangle, then the two
triangles are congruent. (SAS stands for Side-Angle-Side, with A positioned between the two S
letters to emphasize the given angle needs to be between the congruent sides.)
• SSS Congruence
Let’s think about the process of drawing a triangle ABC with AB = 8
cm, AC = 5 cm, and BC = 6 cm. We can start by drawing AB, then C1
think of ways to construct point C. Given that AB = 8 cm, AC = 5
cm, C needs to lie on a circle centered at A with radius 5 cm, but
A B
also on a circle centered at B with radius 6 cm. So C is one of the
intersection points of these two circles! The two resulting triangles
are congruent since we can flip one triangle over AB to overlap the C2
other.
This leads to the SSS Congruence Theorem: If the sides of one triangle equal the corresponding
sides of another triangle, then the triangles are congruent.
• ASA Congruence
Try it on your own! Draw a triangle ABC with AB = 8 cm, ∠A = 50◦ , and ∠B = 30◦ . How many
different triangles meeting these conditions are there?
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Class 3 Notes: Congruent Triangles 2
Reflecting on the constructive process for the problem above provides support for the ASA
Congruence Theorem: If two angles of one triangle and the side between them are equal to the
corresponding angles and side of another triangle, then the two triangles are congruent.
Problem. Given the diagram to the right, what is the measure of ∠D? A
x y
Solution: Triangles △BAC and △BDC look congruent, but we should
prove that to be sure. We have BA = BD = x, AC = CD = y, and 60◦
B 30◦ C
BC = BC. By SSS congruence, △BAC △BDC, so corresponding
x y
parts are congruent. Then ∠BCA = ∠BDC = 60◦ and ∠D = 180◦ −
∠CBD − ∠BCD = 180◦ − 30◦ − 60◦ = 90◦ . D
Insufficient criteria for triangle congruence.
We saw earlier that two triangles with two pairs of congruent sides
are not necessarily congruent. So, there’s no SS congruence. You may A
wonder if there is AA congruence: in other words, if two triangles
80◦
have two pairs of congruent angles, are the triangles necessarily 60◦
congruent? The diagram to the right shows two non-congruent tri- B C
◦ ◦
angles, each having a 60 angle and an 80 angle. We call this a 60◦
counterexample - it helps us see why there is no AA congruence. F E
Think on your own why there is also no AAA congruence.
We haven’t discussed an SSA scenario, so let’s explore it using the
constructive approach. How many different-looking triangles ABC C1
can we draw with AB = 6 cm, ∠A = 40◦ , and BC = 5 cm? We can start
by first drawing AB and then ∠A, but we don’t know how long AC 5
is. Since BC = 5 cm, point C must lie on the circle with center B and C2
5
radius 5 cm. We see that this leads to two potential positions for point 40◦
A
C and two different-looking triangles meeting the 3 conditions. This 6 B
means that generally, there is no SSA congruence. There are some
special cases in which an SSA configuration allows you to claim
triangle congruence; you can explore these cases in Extensions.
Important notes:
• Diagrams can be misleading! Do not assume something is true
just because it looks that way based on the diagram. A B
• It’s helpful to mark known information on the diagram, as
shown to the right. Note the conventions for marking equal 6 6
sides, equal angles, and parallel sides. Use different number 50◦
of tick marks (or arcs) for different pairs of equal sides (or D C
angles).
Extensions
To practice solving problems on the triangle congruence theorems, we worked on problems from the
Extensions handout, found in the Handouts tab for today’s class.
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Class 3 Notes: Congruent Triangles 3
Key Problems
• Problems 3.2, 3.6, 3.7, 3.10, 3.14.
• Challenge problems: 3.4, 3.12.
Homework
Complete the problems on the Homework tab of the course homepage.
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