Congruent Triangles

What Are Congruent Triangles?

Congruent triangles are triangles that are exactly the same shape and size. If you cut out one triangle and placed it on top of the other, they would match perfectly. This means that all the sides and angles of one triangle are equal to the sides and angles of the other triangle.

• Corresponding Sides: These are the sides that are in the same position on both triangles.
• Corresponding Angles: These are the angles that are in the same position on both triangles. When two triangles are congruent, their corresponding sides and angles are equal. Now, let's explore the four ways to prove that two triangles are congruent. Proving one of these is sufficient to show that triangles are congruent.

1. SSS (Side, Side, Side)

• What It Means: If all three sides of one triangle are the same length as all three sides of another triangle, then the triangles are congruent.
• How It Works: Imagine two triangles where all the sides match in length. Since the sides are identical, the triangles must be identical too!

2. SAS (Side, Angle, Side)

• What It Means: If two sides and the angle between them in one triangle are the same as two sides and the angle between them in another triangle, then the triangles are congruent.
• How It Works: Think of two triangles where two sides match, and the angle between those sides also matches. Since these parts are identical, the entire triangles are identical too!

3. ASA (Angle, Side, Angle)

• What It Means: If two angles and the side between them in one triangle are the same as two angles and the side between them in another triangle, then the triangles are congruent.
• How It Works: Picture two triangles where two angles match, and the side connecting them also matches. Since these parts are identical, the triangles must be congruent!

4. RHS (Right Angle, Hypotenuse, Side)

• What It Means: This one is just for right-angled triangles. If the hypotenuse (the longest side) and one other side in one right triangle are the same as in another right triangle, then the triangles are congruent.
• How It Works: Imagine two right-angled triangles with matching hypotenuses and one other side. These triangles are congruent because their key parts match!

Why This Matters

Understanding congruent triangles helps you solve geometry problems where you need to show that two shapes are exactly the same. This is a key concept in the Junior Cycle curriculum, and you'll use it a lot in exams and other problems.

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