Unit 3: Lesson 2

Proving Triangles Congruent

 Review Example 1: Triangle Congruence
Statement
A triangle has 6 parts, three sides and three angles.
If two triangles are congruent:
◦ All 3 pairs of corresponding SIDES are
◦ All 3 pairs of corresponding ANGLES are

To indicate that two triangles are congruent, we must write a triangle
congruence statement
A F
• S then:
D

B C
E
 Third Angles Theorem

If two angles of one triangle are congruent to

two angles of another triangle, then the third
angles are also congruent.
Y E

X Z D F

If X  D, and Z  F , then E  Y .

 Review: Congruent Triangles
If all the parts of one triangle are
congruent to all the corresponding parts of
the other triangle, then the triangles are
congruent.
C E

A B D F

If .

Note: This method requires that 6 parts are congruent to 6 other parts in order
to prove that triangles are congruent.
There has to be a better way!
Triangle Congruence Theorems
Discuss with your partner what each of
these theorems say about proving
triangles congruent.
◦ SAS
◦ SSS
◦ ASA
◦ AAS
SSS Postulate (side, side, side)
If three sides of one triangle are congruent
to three sides of another triangle, then the
triangles are congruent.
◦ This means that all the rest of the parts are also
congruent to each other.
Since all three pairs of sides are congruent,
X E

Y F

Z D
SAS Postulate
If two sides and the included angle of
one triangle are congruent to two sides
and the included angle of another triangle,
then the triangles are congruent.
◦ If ,, and , then .

A G

B C H F
So far…
In order to prove that triangles are
congruent, all you need to prove is that all
3 sides of one triangle are congruent to all
3 sides of another. Or….

Prove that two sides of one triangle are

congruent to two sides of another as well
as the included angle in each triangle.
 Given: D S

1.) Prove: A
K
T

Statements Reasons
1.) 1.) Given

2.) 2.) Given

3.) 3.) Given

4.) 4.) Triangles congruent by SAS

 Given: B E

2.) Prove:
A
C F
D

Statements Reasons
1.) 1.) Given

2.) 2.) Given

3.) 3.) Given

4.) 4.) Triangles congruent by SSS

ASA Postulate
If two angles and the included side of one
triangle are congruent to two angles and
the included side of another triangle, then
the two triangles are congruent.
◦ If , and , then

L R

M P

N Q
AAS Theorem
If two angles and a non-included side of
one triangle are congruent to two angles
and a non-included side of another
triangle, then the two triangles are
congruent.
◦ If , and , then .
T Z

S X

R Y
Concept Summary

AAS
 PRACTICE QUIZ
Arethe triangles congruent. If yes, what theorem
makes them congruent? (a)Yes, by SAS
(b)No
(c)No

(d) Yes, by AAS, or ASA

(e) Yes, by SSS
(f)Yes, by SAS
 A B
Given: See figure and AB //CD .

Prove:
3.) C D
Statements Reasons

1.) AB  CD, AB// CD 1.) Given

2.) ABC  DBC 2.) Alternate Interior Angles

Theorem

3.) Reflexive Property of

3.) CB  CB
Congruence (shared side)

4.) Triangles Congruent by SAS

4.)
Practicing Proofs
• First step in a proof is coming up with a plan.

• What theorem could we use to prove the triangles are congruent?

Given
Given

𝐵𝐷 ≅ 𝐵𝐷 Reflexive Prop of
SSS Congruence
Practicing Proofs

Given
Alt. Interior Theorem
𝐺𝐻 ≅ 𝐽𝐾
Reflexive Prop of
∆ 𝐻𝐺𝐽 ≅∆ 𝐾𝐽𝐺 SAS Congruence
THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN PROVING
TRIANGLES CONGRUENT:
• Shared sides or angles  Reflexive Property of
Congruence
• Parallel Lines  Congruent Angles
• Midpoints  Congruent Segments
• Angle Bisectors  Congruent Angles
• Vertical Angles  Congruent Angles