Congruence

Congruence, in mathematics, a term employed in several senses, each connoting

harmonious relation, agreement, or correspondence.
Two geometric figures are said to be congruent, or to be in the relation of congruence, if
it is possible to superpose one of them on the other so that they coincide throughout.
Thus two triangles are congruent if two sides and their included angle in the one are
equal to two sides and their included angle in the other. This idea of congruence seems
to be founded on that of a "rigid body," which may be moved from place to place without
change in the internal relations of its parts.
The position of a straight line (of infinite extent) in space may be specified by assigning
four suitably chosen coordinates. A congruence of lines in space is the set of lines
obtained when the four coordinates of each line satisfy two given conditions. For
example, all the lines cutting each of two given curves form a congruence. The
coordinates of a line in a congruence may be expressed as functions of two
independent parameters; from this it follows that the theory of congruences
is analogous to that of surfaces in space of three dimensions. An important problem for
a given congruence is that of determining the simplest surface into which it may be
transformed.
Two integers a and b are said to be congruent modulo m if their difference a–b is
divisible by the integer m. It is then said that a is congruent to b modulo m, and this
statement is written in the symbolic form a≡b (mod m). Such a relation is called a
congruence. Congruences, particularly those involving a variable x, such
as xp≡x (mod p), p being a prime number, have many properties analogous to those
of algebraic equations. They are of great importance in the theory of numbers.
Example #1:

Angles 1 and 2 are corresponding angles. If the

measure of Angle 2 is 67°, what is the measure
of Angle 1?

Answer:

When two parallel lines are cut by a

transversal, the angles that are on the same side
of the transversal and in matching corners, will
be congruent. Angles 1 and 2 are congruent
angles, so both have an angle measure of 67°

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Example #2:

Line r is a transversal that crosses through the

two parallel lines s and t. List all of the angles
that are congruent to Angle 6.

Answer:

 ∠8 is congruent to ∠6 because they are

vertical angles, or opposite angles.

 ∠2 is congruent to ∠6 because they are

corresponding angles (same side of the
transversal and in matching corners).

 ∠4 is congruent to ∠6 because they are

alternate interior angles (alternate sides
of the transversal, and between the two
parallel lines).

POSTULATES
SSS Congruence Postulate
If three sides of one triangle are congruent,
respectively, to three sides of another triangle,
then the triangles are congruent.

Examples :

1) In triangle ABC, AD is median on BC and AB = AC.

Prove that ∠ABD = ∠ACD

Given : In ΔABC, AD is a median on BC and AB = AC.

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Prove that : ∠ABD = ∠ACD

Statements Reasons
1) AB = AC 1) Given
2) AD is a median 2) Given
3) BD = DC 3) By definition of median.
4) AD = AD 4) Reflexive (common side)
5) ΔADC ≅ ΔADB 5) By SSS postulate
6) ∠ABD = ∠ACD 6) CPCTC

2) ΔABC and ΔDBC are two isosceles triangle on the same base
BC and vertices of A and D are on the same side of BC. If AD is
extended to intersect BC at P.
Prove that i) ΔABD ≅ ΔACD ii) AP is the perpendicular bisector of
BC.

Given : ΔABC and ΔDBC are two isosceles triangle.

⇒ AB = AC and BD = DC

Prove that : i) ΔABD ≅ ΔACD ii) AP is the perpendicular bisector of BC.

Statements Reasons

1) AB = AC 1) Given

2) BD = CD 2) Given

3) AD = AD 3) Reflexive (common side)

4) ΔABD ≅ ΔACD 4) By SSS postulate

5) ∠BAP = ∠CAP 5) By CPCTC ∠BAD = ∠CAD

6) AP = AP 6) Reflexive(common side)

7) ΔBAP ≅ ΔCAP 7) By SAS postulate

8) ∠APB = ∠APC 8) CPCTC

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9) BP = CP 9) CPCTC

10) These two angles are linear pair angles and they
10) ∠APB + ∠APC = 180
are supplementary

11) 2∠APB = 180 11) Addition property

12) ang;APB = 900 12) Division property

13) AP is the perpendicular 13) By definition of perpendicular bisector and from (9)
bisector of BC and (12)

SAS Congruence Postulate

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

Side angle side postulate ->If two sides

AB ≅ DE, BC ≅ EF and ∠B ≅ ∠E
∴ ΔABC ≅ Δ DEF by SAS

Theorem : Angles opposite to two equal sides of a

triangle are equal.

Given :

Example 1

Δ ABC in which AB = AC

Prove that : ∠C = ∠B

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Construction : Draw the bisector AD of ∠A which meets BC in D

Statements Reasons
1) AB = AC 1) Given
2) AD is a bisector 2) By construction
3) ∠BAD = ∠CAD 3) By definition of angle bisector
4) AD = AD 4) Reflexive (common side)
5) ΔABD ≅ ΔACD 5) SAS Postulate
6) ∠B = ∠C 6) CPCTC

Example 2:
O is the mid point of AB and CD. Prove that
i) ΔAOC ≅ ΔBOD ii) AC = BD and iii) AC || BD .

Given : O is the mid point of AB and CD.

Prove that : i) ΔAOC ≅ ΔBOD ii) AC = BD and iii) AC ||

BD .

Statements Reasons
1) O is the mid point. 1) Given
2) AO = OB 2) By definition of mid point.
3) ∠AOC = ∠BOD 3) Vertically opposite angles
4) CO = OD 4) By definition of mid point.
5) ΔAOC ≅ ΔBOD 5) SAS postulate
6) AC = BD 6) CPCTC
7) ∠CAO = ∠DBO 7) CPCTC
8) If alternate interior angles are congruent
8) AC || BD
then the lines are parallel.

Example 3:

 If D is the mid point of the hypotenuse AC of a right triangle

ABC, prove that BD = ½ AC.

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Given : ΔABC in which ∠B = 900 and D is the mid point of AC.

Prove that : BD = ½ AC.

Construction : Produce BD to E so that BD = DE. Join EC.

Statements Reasons
1) AD = DC 1) Given
2) BD = DE 2) By construction
3) ∠ADB = ∠CDE 3) Vertically opposite angles
4) ΔADB ≅ ΔCDE 4) By SAS postulate
5) EC = AB and ∠CED = ∠ABD 5) CPCTC
6) If alternate interior angles are congruent then the lines
6) CE || AB
are parallel
7) Angles formed on the same side of transveral are
7) ∠ABC + ∠ECB = 180
supplementary.
8) 90 + ∠ECB = 180 8) Since ∠B = 90 given
9) ∠ECB = 180 -90 = 90 9) By subtraction property
10) AB = EC 10) From (5)
11) BC = CB 11) Reflexive (Common side)
12) ∠ABC = ∠ECB 12) Each 900
13) ΔABC ≅ ΔECB 13) SAS postulate
14) AC = BE 14) CPCTC
15) 1/2AC = 1/2BE ⇒ 1/2AC =
15) Multiply by 1/2 but 1/2BE = BD by mid point definition.
BD

ASA Congruence Postulate

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If two angles and the included side of one triangle are congruent to the corresponding
parts of another triangle, the triangle s are congruent.

Examples :

1)

Given :

Example 1:
∠BAC = ∠DAC and ∠BCA = ∠DCA

Prove that : AB = AD and CB = CD.

Statements Reasons
1) ∠BAC = ∠DAC 1) Given
2) AC = AC 2) Reflexive
3) ∠BCA = ∠DCA 3) Given
4) ΔBAC ≅ ΔDAC 4) By ASA (angle side angle postulate)
5) AB = AD 5) CPCTC
6) CB = CD 6) CPCTC

Example 2:

Given : ∠BCD = ∠ADC and ∠ACB = ∠BDA

Prove that : AD = BC and ∠A = ∠B

Statements Reasons
1) ∠BCD = ∠ADC 1) Given
2) ∠ACB = ∠BDA 2) Given
3) ∠BCD + ∠ACB = ∠ADC + ∠BDA 3) Adding (1) and (2)

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4) ∠ACD = ∠BDC 4) Addition property
5) CD = CD 5) Reflexive
6) ΔACD ≅ ΔBDC 6) By ASA postulate
7) AD = BC 7) CPCTC
8) ∠A = ∠B 8) CPCTC

Example 3:

Given : AC = BC , ∠DCA = ∠ECB and ∠DBC =

∠EAC

Prove that : i) ΔDBC ≅ ΔEAC

(ii) DC = EC and (iii) BD = AE

Statements Reasons
1) ∠DCA = ∠ECB 1) Given

2) ∠DCA + ∠ECD = ∠ECB + ∠ECD 2) Adding angle ∠ECD both sides in (1)

3) ∠ECA = ∠DCB 3) Addition property

4) BC = AC 4) Given
5) ∠DBC = ∠EAC 5) Given
6) ΔDBC ≅ ΔEAC 6) By ASA postulate
7) DC = EC 7) CPCTC
8) BD = AE 8) CPCTC

AAS Congruence Postulate

If two angles and the non included side of
one triangle are congruent to the
corresponding parts of another triangle, the
triangles are congruent

Example 1:

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ΔABC in which ∠B = ∠C

Prove that : AB = AC

Construction : Draw the angle bisector of ∠A and let it meet at D. 

Statements Reasons
1) ∠B = ∠C 1) Given
2) ∠BAD = ∠CAD 2) By construction
3) AD = AD 3) Reflexive (common side)
4) ΔABD ≅ ΔACD 4) By angle angle side postulate (AAS)
5) AB = AC 5) By CPCTC

Example 2:

If ΔABC is an isosceles triangle with AB = AC. Prove that the

perpendiculars from the vertices B and C to their opposite sides
are equal.

Given : ΔABC is an isosceles triangle with AB = AC.

Prove that : BD = CE

Statements Reasons

1) AB = AC 1) Given

2) If two sides are congruent then the angle opposite to them are also
2) ∠ABC = ∠ACB
congruent

3) ∠CEB = ∠BDC 3) Each 900

4) BC = BC 4) Reflexive (common side)

5) ΔBCE ≅BCD 5) By AAS postulate

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6) BD = CE 6) CPCTC

Example 3:

A = ∠C and AB = BC. Prove that ΔABD ≅ ΔCBE.

Given : ∠A = ∠C and AB = BC

Prove that : ΔABD ≅ ΔCBE

Statements Reasons
1) ∠A = ∠C 1) Given
2) ∠AOE = ∠COD 2) Vertically opposite angles
3) ∠A + ∠AOE = ∠C + ∠COD 3) Add (1) and (2)
4) Since ∠A + ∠AOE + ∠AEO = 180
4) 1800 - ∠AEO = 1800 - ∠CDO
and ∠C + ∠COD + ∠CDO = 180
5) ∠AEO = ∠CDO 5) By subtraction property
6) ∠AEO + ∠OEB = 1800 6) Linear pair angles
7) ∠CDO + ∠ODB = 1800 7) Linear pair angles
8) ∠AEO + ∠OEB = ∠CDO + ∠ODB 8) Transitive property
9) ∠OEB = ∠ODB 9) Subtraction property and from(5)
10) Since ∠OEB = ∠CEB
10) ∠CEB = ∠ADB
and ∠ODB = ∠ADB
11) AB = BC 11) Given
11) ΔABD ≅ ΔCBE 11) By AAS postulate (from (1),(10))
THEOREMS
HL Congruence Theorem
Illustration:

If the hypotenuse and leg of one right triangle are

congruent to the hypotenuse and leg of another
right triangle, then the triangles are congruent.
Since the HL is a postulate, we accept it as true
without proof. The other congruence theorems for
right triangles might be seen as special cases of
the other triangle congruence postulates and
theorem

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Hypotenuse Leg Theorem Proof
The proof of the hypotenuse leg theorem
shows how a given set of right triangles are
congruent if the corresponding lengths of their
hypotenuse and one leg are equal. Observe
the following isosceles triangle ABC in
which side AB = AC and AD is perpendicular
to BC.

Given: Here, ABC is an isosceles triangle, AB = AC, and AD is perpendicular to BC.

Proof:
AD, being an altitude is perpendicular to BC and forms ADB and ADC as right-angled
triangles. AB and AC are the respective hypotenuses of these triangles, and we know
they are equal to each other. AD = AD because they are common in both the triangles.
So, AB = AC and AD is common.
Therefore, a hypotenuse and a leg pair in two right triangles, are satisfying the
definition of the HL theorem.

We know that angles B and C are equal (Isosceles Triangle Property).

We also know that the angles BAD and CAD are equal.(AD bisects BC, which makes
BD equal to CD).
Therefore, △ADB  ≅ △ADC
Hence proved.

Example 1. If △ABC ≅ △PQR, what is the value of x and y?

Solution:

Following the HL theorem, in △ABC

and △PQR: BC = QR (congruent
hypotenuse)
Thus, y = 13
AC = PQ (congruent legs)

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 Thus, x = 5.
Therefore, x = 13, y = 5.

Example 2. Fred wondered if the Hypotenuse Leg Theorem can be proved using
the Pythagorean theorem. Can you find out?

Solution:

In the figure given above, triangles

ABC and XYZ are right triangles with
AB = YZ, AC = XZ.

By Pythagorean Theorem,

(AC)² = (AB)² + (BC)²  and (XZ)² = (XY)² + (YZ)²

Since AC = XZ, we can write that: (AB)² + (BC)² = (XY)² + (YZ)²---> (Equation 1)
It is given that AB = YZ,
Substituting AB with YZ in Equation 1:
(YZ)² + (BC)² = (XY)² + (YZ)²
Solving the equation: we get (BC)² = (XY)². This means side BC = XY.
Hence, △ABC ≅ △XYZ. Thus, with the help of the Pythagorean theorem, the
Hypotenuse leg theorem was proved, which says that if the hypotenuse and one leg of
one right triangle are congruent to the other right triangle's hypotenuse and leg side,
then the two triangles are congruent.

Example 3. For the given figure, prove that △PSR ≅ △PQR. 

Solution:

It is given that △PSR and

△PQR are right-angled
triangles.
PS = QR (equal legs,

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 given)
PR = PR (equal and common hypotenuse)
Hence, △PSR ≅ △PQR (by HL rule)

LL Congruence Theorem
Illustration:

If two legs of one right triangle are congruent

to two legs of another right triangle, the
triangles are congruent. That’s a special case
of the SAS Congruence Theorem

Proving the LL Theorem

Here we have two right triangles, △BAT△BAT and △GLV△GLV.

We have used ticks to show BA ≅ GLBA ≅ GL and AT ≅ LVAT ≅ LV. Do we know

anything else about these two triangles?
Sure! We know that ∠A ≅ ∠L∠A ≅ ∠L because of that innocent-looking little right-angle
square, □□, in their interior angles. It may look like first, second or third base, but it is
better than that.
What do we have now?

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 1. BA ≅ GLBA ≅ GL (given)
2. ∠A ≅ ∠L∠A ≅ ∠L (from □□)
3. AT ≅ LVAT ≅ LV (given)
What does that look like? That's the Side Angle Side Postulate, or SAS Postulate!

LA Congruence Theorem
Illustration:
If a leg and an acute angle of one right triangle are
congruent to a leg and an acute angle of another
right triangle, the triangles are congruent. If you
drew and labeled the picture of the LA Congruence
Theorem, you would see that could be derived
from the ASA or AAS congruence theorems

Proving the LA Theorem

Below are two run-of-the-mill right triangles. They look like they are twins, but are they?
We have labeled them △WIT△WIT and △FUN△FUN and used hash marks to show that
acute ∠W∠W and acute ∠F∠F are congruent.
We have also used hash marks (or ticks) to show sides IW ≅ UFIW ≅ UF. But, we have
also used □□ to identify their two right angles, ∠I∠I and ∠U∠U.

Before you leap ahead to say, "Aha, The LA Theorem allows us to say the triangles are
congruent," let's make sure we can really do that.
Right angles are congruent, since every right angle will measure 90°. Let's review what
we have:
 ∠W ≅ ∠F∠W ≅ ∠F (given)

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  IW ≅ UFIW ≅ UF (given)
 ∠I ≅ ∠U∠I ≅ ∠U (right angles; deduced from the symbol □□, right angle)
That, friend, is the Angle Side Angle Postulate of congruent triangles. To refresh your
memory, the ASA Postulate says two triangles are congruent if they have
corresponding congruent angles, corresponding included sides, and another pair of
corresponding angles.
We think we know what you're thinking: what if we had two different sides congruent,
like IT ≅ UNIT ≅ UN? What then?
Well, what of it? If you know ∠W ≅ ∠F∠W ≅ ∠F are congruent, then you automatically
know ∠T ≅ ∠N∠T ≅ ∠N, because (and this is why right triangles are so cool) those two
acute angles must add to 90°! If one pair of interior angles is congruent, the other pair
has to be congruent, too! So you still have Angle Side Angeles -- er, Angle.
The theorem is called Leg Acute so you focus on acute legs, using those congruent
right angles as freebies, giving you two congruent angles to get Angle Side Angle.

Example 1:
 Here is a rectangle, GRINGRIN, with a diagonal from interior right angle GG to interior
right angle II.

With just that one diagonal, we know a tremendous amount about our polygon:
1. We created two right triangles,  △GRI△GRI and  △GNI△GNI
2. We know  ∠GRI  ≅  ∠GNI∠GRI  ≅  ∠GNI (right angles of a rectangle)
3. We know  ∠NGI  ≅  ∠RIG∠NGI  ≅  ∠RIG (alternate interior angles of parallel lines
intersected by a transversal, the diagonal)

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 4. We know the hypotenuses of both triangles are congruent (GIGI; reflexive
property)

Example 2:
These two right triangles hardly look congruent.

Both their right angles are at the lower right corner, sure, but the ticks are showing
congruent parts in different places!
That is because △LAF△LAF and △PUN△PUN are not oriented the same way. See
how △LAF△LAF has the marked acute angle at the skinny top, while △PUN△PUN's
marked angle is way off to the narrow left? The congruent sides seem to be in different
places, too: AF ≅ PNAF ≅ PN.
To compare these two right triangles, you must rotate and reflect (flip) one of them.
Then what do you have?
The LA Theorem! They have corresponding congruent legs and acute angles; the two
right triangles are congruent.

HA Congruence Theorem
Illustration:

If the hypotenuse and an acute angle of

one right triangle are congruent to the

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hypotenuse and acute angle of another right triangle, the triangles are congruent. This
congruence theorem is a special case of the AAS Congruence Theorem. And finally, we
have the Leg Angle Congruence Theorem.
Here are two right triangles,  △ZAP△ZAP and  △HOT△HOT.

They are both facing with their hypotenuses to the right, which means their right angles
are to the left -- HA! (A small touch of triangle humor.)
Proving the HA Theorem
Notice  ∠A and  ∠O are right angles, indicated by the little square □□ tucked into the
interior angles. We are told that the hypotenuses, ZPZP and HTHT, are congruent,
which is why they have the little matching hash marks. We are also told that acute  ∠Z
and  ∠H are congruent, shown by their own hash marks.
If we knew only that much geometry, we would be stumped. We could say the six parts
(three sides and three angles) have only three parts congruent, and they are not all
touching.
Look carefully --  ∠A and  ∠Z are consecutive angles in our left right triangle … uh …
our right triangle on the left (HA humor again). Those two angles do not include a
known side between them. We have no idea if ZA is congruent to HO.

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Check out the remaining angles.  ∠P and  ∠T. What do we know about them? We know
they are congruent. Why?
They must be congruent because of what we said earlier. Given two of the angles,
the third angle is found by subtracting the two given angles from 180°.We do not
even need numbers for  ∠Z and  ∠H they are congruent, so  ∠P and  ∠T are congruent.

HA Theorem Practice Proof

You cannot show off the HA Theorem with something as simple as two twin right
triangles, charming as  △ZAP and  △HOT are. What about something trickier, like two
right triangles seeming to slide past each other, like these:

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These two right triangles were constructed from line OAOA, intersected by line FBFB,
crossing at Point GPoint G.
Right  △FOG△FOG shares a vertex, Point GPoint G, with  △BAG△BAG. We see
that  ∠O∠O and  ∠A∠A are right angles, and the little hash marks tell us
hypotenuses FGFG and BGBG are congruent. What else are we told? Nothing!
Are you ready to have a HA moment? We know sides OGOG and AGAG form a
straight line, because they are segments of line OAOA. We know that both right
triangles share Point GPoint G, creating two interior angles
(∠FGO∠FGO and  ∠BGA∠BGA). Those interior angles are vertical angles of two
crossing lines! HA! Vertical angles are congruent. Now we have another set of
congruences. Let's make a list:
1. ∠FGO  ≅  ∠BGA∠FGO  ≅  ∠BGA
2. Hypotenuse FG  ≅ Hypotenuse GBHypotenuse FG  ≅ Hypotenuse GB
With just the hypotenuse and one acute angle, we now release the power of the HA
Theorem and state that:
∠FOG  ≅  ∠BAG

Practice Exercises:

PART 1: Answer the following questions carefully. Solve it if necessary

I. If △PQR≅△STR
1. list the corresponding angles and sides;
2. find xx and yy.

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 II. Assuming △I≅△II, write a congruence statement for △I and △II:

III. Assuming △I≅△II, write a congruence statement for △I and △II

Part 2: Analyzed and Answer the following questions correctly

A. In △PQR name the angle included between sides

1. PQ and QR
2. PQ and PR,
3. PR and QR,

Solution

Note that the included angle is named by the letter that is common to both
sides, For (1), the letter "Q" is common to PQ and QR and so ∠Q is included
between sides PQ and QR. Similarly for (2) and (3).
Answer: (1) ∠Q, (2) ∠P, (3) ∠R.

B. For the two triangles in the diagram

1. list two sides and an included angle of each triangle that are respectively equal,
using the infonnation given in the diagram,

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 2. write the congruence statement, and (3) find x by
3. identifying a pair of corresponding sides of the congruent triangles.

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REFERENCES:
https://www.britannica.com/science/congruence

https://www.mometrix.com/academy/congruent-angles/

http://www.hanlonmath.com/pdfFiles/832.CongruenceThms.pdf

https://www.ask-math.com/side-side-side-postulate.html

https://www.ask-math.com/side-angle-side-postulate.html

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https://www.ask-math.com/angle-side-angle-postulate.html

https://www.ask-math.com/angle-angle-side-postulate.html

https://www.cuemath.com/geometry/hypotenuse-leg-theorem/

https://tutors.com/math-tutors/geometry-help/congruency-of-right-triangles-la-ll-theorems

https://tutors.com/math-tutors/geometry-help/ha-theorem

https://math.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Geometry/Elementary_College_Geometry_(Africk)/
02%3A_Congruent_Triangles/2.02%3A_The_SAS_Theorem

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