Theorems for Congruent Triangles
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  In many geometrical proofs, it may be necessary to prove that two triangles are congruent to each other.  The task may simply be to prove the triangles congruent, or it may be to use these congruent triangles to gain additional information.

When triangles are congruent and one triangle is placed on top of the other,
the sides and angles that coincide (are in the same positions) are called corresponding parts.

Example:

                   


 

When two triangles are congruent, there are 6 facts that are true about the triangles:

  • the triangles have 3 sets of congruent (of equal length) sides and 
  • the triangles have 3 sets of congruent (of equal measure) angles.

NOTE:  The corresponding congruent sides are marked with small straight line segments called hash marks. 
The corresponding congruent angles are marked with arcs.

 

The 6 facts for our congruent triangles example:





Note:  The order of the letters in the names of the triangles should display the corresponding relationships.  By doing so, even without a picture, you would know that <A would be congruent to <D, and would be congruent to , because they are in the same position in each triangle name.

 

Wow!  Six facts for every set of congruent triangles!

Fortunately, when we need to PROVE (or show) that triangles are congruent, we do NOT need to show all six facts are true.  There are certain combinations of the facts that are sufficient to prove that triangles are congruent.  These combinations of facts guarantee that if a triangle can be drawn with this information, it will take on only one shape.  Only one unique triangle can be created, thus guaranteeing that triangles created with this method are congruent.

Methods for Proving (Showing) Triangles to be Congruent

SSS

 If three sides of one triangle are congruent to three sides of another triangle, the triangles are congruent.
 (For this method, the sum of the lengths of any two sides must be greater than the length of the third side, to guarantee a triangle exists.)

SAS

 If two sides and the included angle of one triangle are congruent to the corresponding parts of another triangle, the triangles are congruent. (The included angle is the angle formed by the sides being used.)

ASA

 If two angles and the included side of one triangle are congruent to the corresponding parts of another triangle, the triangles are congruent.  (The included side is the side between the angles being used.  It is the side where the rays of the angles would overlap.)

AAS

 If two angles and the non-included side of one triangle are congruent to the corresponding parts of another triangle, the triangles are congruent.  (The non-included side can be either of the two sides that are not between the two angles being used.)

HL
Right
Triangles
Only

 If the hypotenuse and leg of one right triangle are congruent to the corresponding parts of another right triangle, the right triangles are congruent.  (Either leg of the right triangle may be used as long as the corresponding legs are used.)

 

BE CAREFUL!!!
Only the combinations listed above will give congruent triangles.

So, why do other combinations not work?

Methods that DO NOT Prove Triangles to be Congruent

AAA

AAA works fine to show that triangles are the same SHAPE (similar), but does NOT work to also show they are the same size, thus congruent!

Consider the example at the right.

You can easily draw 2 equilateral triangles that are the same shape but are not congruent (the same size).

SSA
or
ASS

SSA (or ASS) is humorously referred to as the "Donkey Theorem".

This is NOT a universal method to prove triangles congruent because it cannot guarantee that one unique triangle will be drawn!!

 
The SSA (or ASS) combination affords the possibility of creating zero, one, or two triangles.  Consider this diagram of triangle DEF.  If for the second side, EF is equal to EG (the minimum distance needed to create a triangle), only one triangle can be drawn.  However, if EF is greater than EG, two triangles can be drawn as shown by the dotted segment.  Should EF be less than the minimum length needed to create a triangle, EG, no triangle can be drawn.

The possible "swing" of side can create two different triangles which causes our problem with this method.  The first triangle, below, and the last triangle both show SSA, but they are not congruent triangles.
  The combination of SSA (or ASS) creates a unique triangle ONLY when working in a right triangle with the hypotenuse and a leg.  This application is given the name HL (Hypotenuse-Leg) for Right Triangles to avoid confusion.  You should not list SSA (or ASS) as a reason when writing a proof.



 

Once you prove your triangles are congruent, the "left-over" pieces that were not used in your method of proof, are also congruent.  Remember, congruent triangles have 6 sets of congruent pieces.  We now have a "follow-up" theorem to be used AFTER the triangles are known to be congruent:

Theorem:  (CPCTC) Corresponding parts of congruent triangles are congruent.