Additional Geometry Proofs
Theorem
Theorem 5.3 Properties of Triangle Congruence
Triangle congruence is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive.
Reflexive For any triangle △ABC, △ABC ≅ △ABC.
Symmetric If △ABC ≅ △DEF, then △DEF ≅ △ABC.
Transitive If △ABC ≅ △DEF and △DEF ≅ △JKL, then △ABC ≅ △JKL.
Reflexive Property of Triangle Congruence
B Given △ABC
A Prove △ABC ≅ △ABC
STATEMENTS REASONS
1. △ABC 1. Given
C
2. ∠A ≅ ∠A, ∠B ≅ ∠B, 2. Reflexive Property of Angle Congruence
∠C ≅ ∠C (Theorem 2.2)
— ≅ AB
3. AB —, BC
— ≅ BC
—, 3. Reflexive Property of Segment Congruence
— ≅ CA
CA — (Theorem 2.1)
4. △ABC ≅ △ABC 4. All corresponding parts are congruent.
Symmetric Property of Triangle Congruence
B Given △ABC ≅ △DEF
A Prove △DEF ≅ △ABC
STATEMENTS REASONS
E
1. △ABC ≅ △DEF 1. Given
C D
2. ∠A ≅ ∠D, ∠B ≅ ∠E, 2. Corresponding parts of congruent triangles are
∠C ≅ ∠F congruent.
3. ∠D ≅ ∠A, ∠E ≅ ∠B, 3. Symmetric Property of Angle Congruence
F ∠F ≅ ∠C (Theorem 2.2)
— ≅ DE
4. AB —, BC— ≅ EF
—, 4. Corresponding parts of congruent triangles are
— —
CA ≅ FD congruent.
— —— —
5. DE ≅ AB , EF ≅ BC , 5. Symmetric Property of Segment Congruence
—≅—
FD CA (Theorem 2.1)
6. △DEF ≅ △ABC 6. All corresponding parts are congruent.
Transitive Property of Triangle Congruence
B Given △ABC ≅ △DEF, △DEF ≅ △JKL
A Prove △ABC ≅ △JKL
STATEMENTS REASONS
E
1. △ABC ≅ △DEF, 1. Given
C D △DEF ≅ △JKL
2. ∠A ≅ ∠D, ∠B ≅ ∠E, 2. Corresponding parts of congruent triangles
K ∠C ≅ ∠F are congruent.
F J 3. ∠D ≅ ∠J, ∠E ≅ ∠K, 3. Corresponding parts of congruent triangles
∠F ≅ ∠L are congruent.
4. ∠A ≅ ∠J, ∠B ≅ ∠K, 4. Transitive Property of Angle Congruence
∠C ≅ ∠L (Theorem 2.2)
L
— ≅ DE
5. AB —, BC
— ≅ EF
—, 5. Corresponding parts of congruent triangles
— —
CA ≅ FD are congruent.
— ≅ JK
6. DE —, EF
— ≅ KL
—, 6. Corresponding parts of congruent triangles
— —
FD ≅ LJ are congruent.
— ≅ JK
7. AB —, BC
— ≅ KL
—, 7. Transitive Property of Segment Congruence
— —
CA ≅ LJ (Theorem 2.1)
8. △ABC ≅ △JKL 8. All corresponding parts are congruent.
Theorem
Theorem 5.9 Hypotenuse-Leg (HL) Congruence Theorem
If the hypotenuse and a leg of a right triangle are congruent to the hypotenuse and
a leg of a second right triangle, then the two triangles are congruent.
— ≅ DE
Given AB —, AC
— ≅ DF
—, C F
m∠C = m∠F = 90°
Prove △ABC ≅ △DEF B A D E
First, translate △ABC so that point A maps to point D, as shown below.
C F C′ F
B A D E B′ E
D
This translation maps △ABC to △DB′C′. Next, rotate △DB′C′ counterclockwise
through ∠B′DE so that the image of ⃗
DB′ coincides with ⃗
DE, as shown below.
F
C′ F
D E
B′ D E
C″
— ≅ DE
Because DB′ —, the rotation maps point B′ to point E. So, this rotation maps
△DB′C′ to △DEC″. Draw an auxiliary line through points F and C″. This line creates
∠1, ∠2, ∠3, and ∠4, as shown below.
1 2
D E
3 4
C″
— ≅ DC″
Because DF —, △DFC″ is an isosceles triangle. By the Base Angles Theorem
(Thm. 5.6), ∠1 ≅ ∠3. Because ∠2 ≅ ∠4 are the complements of m∠1 and m∠3,
respectively, ∠2 ≅ ∠4 by the Congruent Complements Theorem (Thm. 2.5). By
— ≅ C″E
the Converse of the Base Angles Theorem (Thm 5.7), FE —.
By the SSS Congruence Theorem (Thm. 5.8), △DEC″ ≅ △DEF. So, a composition
of rigid motions maps △DEC″ to △DEF. Because a composition of rigid motions
maps △ABC to △DEC″ and a composition of rigid motions maps △DEC″ to △DEF,
a composition of rigid motions maps △ABC to △DEF. So, △ABC ≅ △DEF.
Theorem
Theorem 5.9 Hypotenuse-Leg (HL) Congruence Theorem
If the hypotenuse and a leg of a right triangle are congruent to the hypotenuse
and a leg of a second right triangle, then the two triangles are congruent.
Given In △ABC, ∠C is a right angle. B
In △DEF, ∠F is a right angle.
— ≅ DE
AB —, AC
— ≅ DF —
A C
Prove △ABC ≅ △DEF
Plan Construct △DGF with GF — ≅ BC —, as shown. E
for Prove that △ABC ≅ △DGF. Then use the fact
Proof that corresponding parts of congruent triangles D F
are congruent to show that △DGF ≅ △DEF.
By the Transitive Property of Congruence, you
can show that △ABC ≅ △DEF. G
STATEMENTS REASONS
1. ∠C is a right angle. 1. Given
∠DFE is a right angle.
— ⊥ EG
2. DF — 2. Definition of perpendicular lines
3. ∠DFG is a right angle. 3. If 2 lines are perpendicular, then they form
right angles.
4. ∠C ≅ ∠DFG 4. Right Angles Congruence Theorem
(Theorem 2.3)
— —
5. AC ≅ DF 5. Given
— —
6. BC ≅ GF 6. Given by construction
7. △ABC ≅ △DGF 7. SAS Congruence Theorem (Theorem 5.5)
— ≅ AB
8. DG — 8. Corresponding parts of congruent triangles
are congruent.
— —
9. AB ≅ DE 9. Given
— ≅ DE
10. DG — 10. Transitive Property of Congruence
(Theorem 2.1)
11. ∠E ≅ ∠G 11. Base Angles Theorem (Theorem 5.6)
12. ∠DFG ≅ ∠DFE 12. Right angles Congruence Theorem
(Theorem 2.3)
13. △ DGF ≅ △DEF 13. AAS Congruence Theorem (Theorem 5.11)
14. △ ABC ≅ △DEF 14. Transitive Property of Congruence
(Theorem 5.3)
Theorem
Theorem 6.7 Centroid Theorem
The centroid of a triangle is two-thirds of the distance from each vertex to the
midpoint of the opposite side.
—, BN
Given △OBC; medians OM —, and CQ
— y
B(6b, 6c)
STUDY TIP Prove The medians intersect at a point P; that
Because you want to point is two-thirds of the distance from
prove something involving vertices O, B, and C to midpoints M, N, Q M
the fraction —23, it is and Q, respectively.
convenient to position the
Plan The medians OM — and BN
— intersect at P
vertices at points whose
for some point P. Show that point P lies O(0, 0) N C(6a, 0) x
coordinates are multiples
Proof on ⃖⃗
CQ. Then show that OP = —23 OM,
of both 2 and 3.
2
BP = —23 BN, and CP = —3 CQ.
—, BN
Step 1 Find the equations of the line containing the medians OM —, and CQ
—.
By the Midpoint Formula,
6b + 6a 6c + 0
( )
the coordinates of M are —, — = (3b + 3a, 3c);
2 2
0 + 6a 0 + 0
the coordinates of N are (
2 )
— — , = (3a, 0);
2
6b + 0 6c + 0
the coordinates of Q are (
2 )
— — , = (3b + 3c).
2
By the slope formula,
— = ——
slope of OM
3c − 0 3c
= — = —;
c
(3b + 3a) − 0 3b + 3a b + a
—=—
slope of BN
6c − 0 6c
= — = —;
2c
6b − 3a 6b − 3a 2b − a
—=—
slope of CQ
0 − 3c −3c −c
= — = — = —.
c
6a − 3b 6a − 3b 2a − b b − 2a
Using the point-slope form of an equation of a line,
the equation of ⃖⃗
c c
OM is y − 0 = — (x − 0), or y = — x;
b+a b+a
the equation of ⃖⃗
2c 2c
BN is y − 0 = — (x − 3a), or y = —(x − 3a);
2b − a 2b − a
the equation of ⃖⃗
c c
CQ is y − 0 = —(x − 6a), or y = —(x − 6a).
b − 2a b − 2a
––(CONTINUED)––
Step 2 Find the coordinates of the point P where the two medians OM — and BN —
intersect. Using the substitution method, set the values of y in the equations
of ⃖⃗
OM and ⃖⃗
BN equal to each other.
c 2c
—x = —(x − 3a)
b+a 2b − a
cx(2b − a) = 2c(x − 3a)(b + a)
2bcx − acx = 2bcx + 2acx − 6abc − 6a2c
−3acx = −6abc − 6a2c
x = 2b + 2a
c c
Substituting to find y, y = —x = —(2b + 2a) = 2c.
b+a b+a
So, the coordinates of P are (2b + 2a, 2c).
Step 3 Show that point P is on ⃖⃗
CQ.
Substituting the x-coordinate for point P into the equation of ⃖⃗
CQ,
c c
y = —[(2b + 2a) − 6a] = —(2b − 4a) = 2c.
b − 2a b − 2a
So, P(2b + 2a, 2c) is on ⃖⃗
CQ and the three medians intersect at the
same point.
Step 4 Use the Distance Formula to find the distances OM, OP, BN, BP, CQ,
and CP.
——— ——
OM = √ [(3b + 3a) − 0]2 + (3c − 0)2 = √ [3(b + a)]2 + (3c)2
—— ——
= √ 9[(b + a)2 + c2] = 3√ (b + a)2 + c2
——— ——
OP = √ [(2b + 2a) − 0]2 + (2c − 0)2 = √ [2(b + a)]2 + (2c)2
—— ——
= √ 4[(b + a)2 + c2] = 2√ (b + a)2 + c2
—— ———
BN = √ (3a − 6b)2 + (0 − 6c)2 = √ [3(a − 2b)]2 + [3(−2c)]2
—— ——
= √ 9(a − 2b)2 + 9(4c2) = √ 9[(a − 2b)2 + 4c2]
——
= 3√ (a − 2b)2 + 4c2
——— ——
BP = √ [(2b + 2a) − 6b]2 + (2c − 6c)2 = √ (2a − 4b)2 + (−4c)2
——— ——
= √ [2(a − 2b)]2 + [2(−2c)]2 = √ 4(a − 2b)2 + 4(4c 2)
—— ——
= √ 4[(a − 2b)2 + 4c 2] = 2√ (a − 2b)2 + 4c 2
—— ——
CQ = √ (6a − 3b)2 + (0 − 3c)2 = √ [3(2a − b)]2 + (−3c)2
—— ——
= √ 9[(2a − b)2 + c2] = 3√ (2a − b)2 + c2
——— ——
CP = √ [6a − (2b + 2a)]2 + (0 − 2c)2 = √ (4a − 2b)2 + (−2c)2
—— ——
= √ [2(2a − b)]2 + 4c 2 = √ 4[(2a − b)2 + c2]
——
= 2√ (2a − b)2 + c 2
––(CONTINUED)––
Step 5 Multiply OM, BN, and CQ by —23 .
——
(
—3 OM = —3 3√ (b + a)2 + c2
2 2
)
——
= 2√ (b + a)2 + c2
——
(
—3 BN = —3 3√ (a − 2b)2 + 4c2
2 2
)
——
= 2√ (a − 2b)2 + 4c 2
——
(
—3 CQ = —3 3√ (2a − b)2 + c 2
2 2
)
——
= 2√ (2a − b)2 + c2
So, OP = —23 OM, BP = —23 BN, CP = —23 CQ.
Theorems
Theorem 6.12 Hinge Theorem
If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two sides of another triangle, and
the included angle of the first is larger than the included angle of the second,
then the third side of the first is longer than the third side of the second.
— ≅ DE
—, BC
— ≅ EF
—, B
Given AB C E F
m∠ ABC > m∠ DEF A
Prove AC > DF
Plan for Proof D
1. Because m∠ ABC > m∠ DEF, you can locate B
a point P in the interior of ∠ ABC so that C
∠ CBP ≅ ∠ FED and BP — ≅ ED—. Draw BP— and A
H
show that △PBC ≅ △DEF.
— so that ⃗
2. Locate a point H on AC BH bisects ∠ PBA
P
and show that △ABH ≅ △PBH.
3. Give reasons for each statement below to show that AC > DF.
AC = AH + HC = PH + HC > PC = DF
— ≅ EF
Step 1 Because BC —, ∠ CBP ≅ ∠ FED by construction, and BP
— ≅ ED
— by
construction, you have △PBC ≅ △DEF by the SAS Congruence Theorem
(Theorem 5.5).
Step 2 Because ⃗
BH bisects ∠ PBA by construction, ∠ PBH ≅ ∠ ABH. By the
— ≅ PB
Transitive Property of Congruence (Theorem 2.1), AB —. By the
— ≅ BH
Reflexive Property of Congruence (Theorem 2.1), BH —. So,
△ABH ≅ △PBH by the SAS Congruence Theorem (Theorem 5.5).
Step 3 By the Segment Addition Postulate (Postulate 1.2), AC = AH + HC.
Because corresponding parts of congruent triangles are congruent,
AH + HC = PH + HC. By the Triangle Inequality Theorem (Theorem 6.11),
PH + HC > PC. Because corresponding parts of congruent triangles are
congruent, PC = DF. So, AC > DF.
Theorem
Theorem 8.1 Perimeters of Similar Polygons
If two polygons are similar, then the ratio of their perimeters is equal to the
ratios of their corresponding side lengths.
Given Two polygons are similar.
Prove The ratio of their perimeters is equal to the ratios of their corresponding
side lengths.
Consider two similar n-gons, polygon A and polygon A′, where the scale factor from
polygon A to polygon A′ is k. Let s1, s2, . . . , sn be the side lengths of polygon A.
Because polygon A and polygon A′ are similar, the ratio of any two corresponding side
lengths in the polygons is equal to the scale factor of the similar polygons. So, the side
lengths of polygon A′ are ks1, ks2, . . . , ksn.
The ratios of their corresponding side lengths equal the scale factor k.
ks ks ks
—1 = —2 = . . . = —n = k
s1 s2 sn
The ratio of the perimeters of polygon A′ and polygon A is
Perimeter of polygon A′ ks1 + ks2 + . . . + ksn k(s1 + s2 + . . . + sn)
—— = —— = —— =k
Perimeter of polygon A s1 + s2 + . . . + sn s1 + s2 + . . . + sn
which is equal to the ratios of their corresponding side lengths.
Theorem
Theorem 8.2 Areas of Similar Polygons
If two polygons are similar, then the ratio of their areas is equal to the squares of
the ratios of their corresponding side lengths.
Given Two polygons are similar.
Prove The ratio of their areas is equal to the squares of the ratios of their
corresponding side lengths.
Consider two similar n-gons, polygon A and polygon A′, where the scale factor
from polygon A to polygon A′ is k. You can divide polygon A into (n − 2) triangles
with bases b1, b2, . . . , bn − 2, and heights h1, h2, . . . , hn − 2. Because polygon A and
polygon A′ are similar, the ratio of any two corresponding lengths in the polygons is
equal to the scale factor of the similar polygons. So, the corresponding measures in
polygon A′ are kb1, kb2, . . . , kbn − 2, and kh1, kh2, . . . , khn − 2.
The areas of polygon A and polygon A′ are equal to the sums of the areas of their
(n − 2) triangles. Find the areas of polygon A and polygon A′.
Area of polygon A = —12 b1h1 + —12 b2h2 + . . . + —12 bn − 2hn − 2
Area of polygon A′ = —12(kb1)(kh1) + —12 (kb2)(kh2) + . . . + —12 (kbn − 2)(khn − 2)
= —12k2b1h1 + —12 k2b2h2 + . . . + —12 k2bn − 2hn − 2
(
= k2 —12 b1h1 + —12 b2h2 + . . . + —12 bn − 2hn − 2 )
= k ⋅ Area of polygon A
2
The squares of the ratios of their corresponding side lengths equal the square of the
scale factor k.
( ) ( )
ks1
—
s1
2 ks2
= —
s2
2 ksn
=...= —
sn ( ) 2
= k2
The ratio of the areas of polygon A′ and polygon A is
Area of polygon A′
—— = —— = k2
Area of polygon A
⋅
k2 Area of polygon A
Area of polygon A
which is equal to the squares of the ratios of their corresponding side lengths.
