Congruent Triangles Theorems and Rules


Definition of Congruence of Triangles

Two triangles are congruent if all corresponding sides and angles are equal.


Congruence Postulates

1. Side-Side-Side (SSS)

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

Example:
For \(\triangle ABC\) and \(\triangle DEF\):
If \(AB = DE\), \(BC = EF\), and \(AC = DF\), then \(\triangle ABC \cong \triangle DEF\) where \( \cong \) is the symbol of congruence of two triangles.

2. Side-Angle-Side (SAS)

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

Example:
If \(AB = DE\), \(\angle B = \angle E\), and \(BC = EF\), then \(\triangle ABC \cong \triangle DEF\).

3. Angle-Side-Angle (ASA)

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

Example:
If \(\angle A = \angle D\), \(AC = DF\), and \(\angle C = \angle F\), then \(\triangle ABC \cong \triangle DEF\).

4. Angle-Angle-Side (AAS)

If two angles and a non-included side of one triangle are equal to those of another triangle, the triangles are congruent.

Example:
If \(\angle A = \angle D\), \(\angle B = \angle E\), and \(BC = EF\), then \(\triangle ABC \cong \triangle DEF\).

5. Hypotenuse-Leg (HL) for Right Triangles

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

Example:
For right triangles \(\triangle ABC\) and \(\triangle DEF\):
If \(AC = DF\) (hypotenuse) and \(AB = DE\) (leg), then \(\triangle ABC \cong \triangle DEF\).


Important Corollaries

CPCTC

Corresponding Parts of Congruent Triangles are Congruent:
If \(\triangle ABC \cong \triangle DEF\), then all corresponding angles and sides are equal.

SSA (Non-Congruence Case)

SSA does not guarantee congruence (ambiguous case). It works only for right triangles (HL).

Counterexample:
Two triangles with \(AB = DE\), \(BC = EF\), and \(\angle A = \angle D\) might not be congruent.

More References and Links to Geometry Tutorials