Unit 1 Lines, Angles, and Triangles

1.4 Congruent Triangles

Definitions and Notation

Congruent triangles Triangles whose vertices can be made to
coincide (triangles with the same shape and
size): angles that coincide are called
corresponding angles; sides that coincide are
called corresponding sides.
≅ Is congruent
a, b, c The lengths of the sides of a triangle
opposite angles A, B, and C, respectively

a′,b′,c′ A prime, b prime, c prime; the lengths of the

sides of a triangle opposite angles a′,b′, and
c′ respectively

Example

Side included by two angles of a
∆ABC ≈ ∆A′B′C′
If ∆ABC and ∆A′B′C′ are cut out, vertices A
and A′, B and B′, and C and C′ can be made
to coincide.
Corresponding sides : AB and A′B′ , BC
and B′C′ , CA and C′A′
Corresponding angles:
∠A and ∠A′, ∠B and ∠B′, ∠C and ∠C′
A side whose endpoints are vertices of two

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 Unit 1 Lines, Angles, and Triangles
1.4 Congruent Triangles
triangle angles of the triangle
Angle included by two sides of a An angle whose sides are two sides of the
triangle triangle
AB is included by ∠A and ∠B
BC is included by ∠B and ∠C
CA is included by ∠A and ∠C
∠A is included by AB and CA
∠B is included by AB and BC
∠C is included by BC and CA

Properties
1. If triangles are congruent, the If ∆ABC ≅ ∆A′B′C′
corresponding sides and the a = a′, b = b′, and c = c′, and
corresponding angles are equal. ∠A = ∠A ′, ∠B = ∠B ′, and ∠C = ∠C ′

2. If two sides and the included angle of ∆ABC ≅ ∆A′B′C′ if

one triangle are equal respectively to b = b′, ∠A = ∠A ′, c = c′ or
two sides and the included angle of a = a′, ∠B = ∠B ′, c = c′, or
another triangle, the triangles are a = a′, ∠C = ∠C ′, b = b′
congruent. (S.A.S)

3. If two angles and the included side of ∆ABC ≅ ∆A′B′C′ if

one triangle are equal respectively to ∠A = ∠A ′, c = c′ ∠B = ∠B ′, or
two angles and the included side of ∠B = ∠B ′, a = a′, ∠C = ∠C ′, or
another triangle, the triangles are ∠C = ∠C ′, b = b′, ∠A = ∠A ′
congruent. (A.S.A)

4. If the three sides of one triangle are ∆ABC ≅ ∆A′B′C′ if

equal respectively to the three sides of a = a′, b = b′, and c = c′
another triangle, the triangles are
congruent. (S.S.S.)

5. Corresponding parts of congruent

triangles are equal. (C.P.C.T.E)

Exercises
In exercises 1-8, ∆ABC ≅
∆A′B′C′

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 Unit 1 Lines, Angles, and Triangles
1.4 Congruent Triangles
Example:
Given:
m∠A =50°, m∠ B′ =45°, a = 9 in, b = 8 in, and c′ = 10 in
Find m∠A, m∠C, m∠ C′, c′, a′, and b′
Solution:
A sketch of the triangles labeled
with the given data is useful. From
Property 1, w observe that
m∠ B = m∠ B′ = 45°. Then, since
m∠ A + m∠ B + m∠C = 180°
we have
50°+ 45°+ m∠C = 180°
m∠C = 180°- 95°
m∠C = 85°
Again, using Property 1, we observe
that
m∠C = m∠ C′ = 85°, c = c′= 10 in,
b = b = 8 in and a = a′ = 9 in
1. Given that m∠ A= 100°, m∠ B= 30°, a = 18 cm, b = 9 cm, and c′ = 15 cm.
Find all other angles and sides.
2. Given that m∠ A= 35°, m∠ B= 60°, c = 23 ft, b = 20 ft.
Find all other angles, b′ and c′.
3. Given that a = b = c = 10 mm.
Find all other angles and sides.
4. Given that a = b = 8 yd and m∠ A= 60°. Find m∠C′ and c′.
5. Given that m∠ A= 45°, m∠ B= 30°, and a = 5 m.
Find c′ and m∠B′.
6. Given that m∠ b= 45°, m∠ C= 90°, and c = 4 2 .
Find a′.
7. Given that m∠ A= 60°, m∠ C= 90°, and c = 10 ft.
Find m∠B′, b′, and a′.
8. Given that m∠ A= 30°, m∠ C= 90°, a = 8 cm.
Find b′ and c′.
In each exercise determine whether the given pairs of triangles are congruent as a
consequence of Properties 2, 3, or 4 (SAS, ASA, or SSS). When the triangles are
congruent, list all pairs of equal sides and angles other than those given. Like markings on
the parts of two triangles indicate that those parts are equal, and segments with the same
number of arrowheads pointing in the same direction indicate parallel line segments. This
symbolism will be used when convenient henceforth.
Examples:

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 Unit 1 Lines, Angles, and Triangles
1.4 Congruent Triangles
a.

Solution
The like markings indicate that ∠B = ∠F, AB = EF, and ∠A = ∠E. Therefore,
∆ABC ≅ ∆EFD by the ASA property. By property 1, the other pairs of equal
corresponding parts are ∠C = ∠D, AC = DE and BC = DF .

b.

Solution
∠BCA = ∠DCE by the property of Section 1.1. The like markings indicate that BC =
CD and AC = CE. Hence, ∆ABC ≅ ∆EDC by the SAS property. By Property 1, the
other pairs of equal corresponding parts are ∠B = ∠D, ∠A = ∠E, and AB = DE .
9. 10.

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1.4 Congruent Triangles
11. 12.

13.

14. 15.

16. 17.

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1.4 Congruent Triangles
18. 19.

20.

21.

22.