Symbols in Geometry

Common Symbols Used in Geometry

Symbols save time and space when writing. Here are
the most common geometrical symbols:
Symbol Meaning Example In Words
ABC has 3 Triangle ABC has three
Triangle
equal sides equal sides
The angle formed by
Angle ABC is 45°
ABC is 45 degrees.
The line AB is
Perpendicular AB CD perpendicular to line
CD
The line EF is parallel
Parallel EF GH
to line GH
360 degrees (a full
Degrees 360°
rotation!)
A right angle is 90
Right Angle (90°) is 90°
degrees
Line Segment The line segment
AB
"AB" between A and B
The infinite line that
Line "AB"
includes A and B
The line that starts at A,
Ray "AB" goes through B and
continues on
Triangle ABC is
Congruent (same ABC
congruent to triangle
shape and size) DEF
DEF
Similar (same
DEF Triangle DEF is similar
shape, different
MNO to triangle MNO
size)
a equals b, therefore b
Therefore a=b b=a
equals a
Side Side Side Postulate
Proving Congruent Triangles with SSS

Side Side Side postulate states that if three sides

of one triangle are congruent to three sides of
another triangle, then these two triangles are
congruent.

Example

△ABC≅△XYZ△ABC≅△XYZ

1. All 3 sides are congruent

o ZX = CA (side)
o XY = AB (side)
o YZ = BC (side)
2. Therefore, by the Side Side Side postulate, the triangles are congruent

Side Angle Side Postulate

Proving Congruent Triangles with SAS
 The Side Angle Side postulate (often
abbreviated as SAS) states that if two
sides and the included angle of one
triangle are congruent to two sides and
the included angle of another triangle,
then these two triangles are congruent.

Example

ABC≅△XYZ△ABC≅△XY
△

Z
 Two sides and the
included angle are
congruent
o AC = ZX (side)
o ∠∠ACB =
∠∠XZY (angle)
o CB = ZY (side)
 Therefore, by the Side
Angle Side postulate,
 the triangles are
congruent.

Angle Side Angle

Postulate
Proving Congruent
Triangles With ASA
Example of Angle Side
Angle Proof
△ABC≅△XYZ△AB C≅△XYZ
These two triangles are congruent because two sides and the included angle are congruent.

 ∠CAB≅∠ZXY∠CAB≅∠ZXY (angle)

 AB ≅≅ XY (side)

 ∠ACB≅∠XZY∠ACB≅∠XZY (angle)

Angle Angle Side Postulate

Proving Congruent Triangles with AAS

The Angle Angle Side postulate (often abbreviated as AAS) states that if two angles and the non-
included side one triangle are congruent to two angles and the non-included side of another
triangle, then these two triangles are congruent.

Example of Angle Angle Side Proof (AAS)

△△ABC △△XYZ

 Two angles and a non-included side are congruent

o ∠A≅∠X∠A≅∠X(angle)

o ∠C≅∠Z∠C≅∠Z(angle)

o AB ≅≅ XY (side)
 Therefore, by the Angle Angle Side postulate (AAS), the triangles are congruent.
 Identify Angle Angle Side relationship

Identify which pair of triangles below does NOT illustrate an angle angle side (AAS) relationship.
Problem 1
Identify the coordinates of all complex numbers represented in the graph below.