Geometric Postulates:

Postulate - a statement we accept as true without a proof. 1. Reflexive Postulate: a=a Anything is equal (or congruent) to itself. 2. Symmetric Postulate: if a = b then b = a (like the commutative property)

3. Transitive Postulate: if a = b and b = c, then a = c (Like the chain rule in logic) 4. Substitution Postulate: any quantity may be substituted for an equal (or congruent) quantity.

Example: 3+x=y x=2

We substitute to get 3 + 2 = y. Then we can solve for y.

Partition Postulate: A whole quantity is equal ( or congruent) to the sum of its parts. Example: AB + BC = AC Addition Postulate: Equal ( or congruent) quantities may be added to equal quantities to get equal quantities. Example: If a = b and c = d then a + c = b + d

Subtraction Postulate: If a = b and c = d then a - c = b - d Multiplication Postulate: If a = b and c = d then ac = bd Special case: Doubles: If a = b then 2a = 2b Halves: If a = b then 1/2 a = 1/2 b

Division Postulate: If a = b and c = d (c = 0, d = 0), then a/c = b/d. Dividing by 2 gives us equal halves, or a/2 = b/2 Powers Postulate: If a = b then a2 = b2 Roots Postulate: If a = b then a = b

Motion Postulate: A geometric figure may be moved without changing its size and shape.