Some Useful Hints on Geometry Reasons In your study of geometry, you will be required to not only calculate angles,

lengths etc. but also explain WHY certain things are true. Here are a few hints to help with homework.... when you need reasons that have to do with (A). Angles, (B). Things that look really obvious, (C). Congruent Triangles A. Angles A
C D E A

Reasons B ACD = BCE ACB = DCE vertically opposite angles vertically opposite angles

BCA = ACD
B D C A 2 4 C D 1 3 B

angles on a line

Dont just write supplementary angles -- supplementary angles occur in many different situations this is a specific case

If AB || CD , then 1 = 4 2 = 4 3 + 4 = 180 corresponding angles alternate interior angles interior angles on the same side of the transversal

Note: none of these statements is true unless you FIRST state that the two lines are parallel.

If AB = AC, then B = C
B C
or ABC = ACB

angles opposite equal sides of a triangle are equal

This reason can be shortened to

s opp. = sides of a are =

So, if you know 2 sides of a triangle are equal, you can CONCLUDE that the angles opposite these 2 sides are equal.
A

If B = C, then AB = AC
C

sides opposite equal angles of a triangle are equal or shorten to sides opp. = s of a are =

So, if you know that 2 angles of a triangle are equal, you can CONCLUDE that the sides opposite these 2 angles are equal.

B A K

Suppose you already know that A = K and B = N, then C = E If 2 angles in 1 triangle match 2 angles in a second triangle, then the 3rd angles are equal This can be shortened to 3rd angles of triangles are = and abbreviated to 3rd s of s are =

C E

B. Things that look really obvious.... First a very simple example....

K

Suppose youre given that KP NT. Then its obvious that you have 90 angles, right? So write it like this: KP NT KPN = KPT = 90
or shorten to

Given Definition of perpendicular Def. of

D E F

Suppose youre given that E is the midpoint of DF. Then obviously DF is split into two equal parts. Write this: E is the midpoint of DF DE = EF Given Definition of midpoint

E C G

Suppose youre given that FG bisects EH. Then its obvious that FG cuts EH into 2 equal segments. Write this: FG bisects EH EC = CH Given Definition of bisects

A B D C K E G M

Suppose youre given that DB bisects ABC. Then its obvious that DB splits ABC into 2 equal angles. Write it like this: DB bisects ABC ABD = CBD Given Definition of bisects or just def.of bisects

Suppose youre given that KG is an altitude of the triangle. An altitude is a line segment joining a vertex to the opposite side in such a way that it is perpendicular to the opposite side. Then its obvious that the altitude KG is perpendicular to side EM and there are two 90 angles. Write: KG is an altitude Given KG EM definition of altitude KGE = KGM = 90 definition of Suppose youre given that CE is a median of the triangle. A median is a line segment joining a vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side. Then its obvious that E is the midpoint of side DF and DE equals EF. Write: CE is a median Given DE = EF Definition of median

F D E

So.... If you write a statement using a geometry term, you can often make the obvious conclusion in the next statement, and write definition of .... (whatever term you wrote) C. Congruent Triangles

There are only THREE reasons you will need, in order to conclude that 2 triangles are congruent. 1) SSS 2) SAS 3) ASA All 3 sides lengths in one triangle match the 3 side lengths in the second triangle. 2 side lengths in one triangle match 2 side lengths in the second triangle, and the angle between the 2 sides is the same in both triangles. 2 angles in one triangle match 2 angles in the second triangle, and the side between the 2 angles is the same length in both triangles.

Here are a few hints for doing congruent triangle proofs: 1) As with any proof, always mark up the diagram with everything you know is true. Figure out the story of how the proof works BEFORE you start to write the statements and reasons. Decide why the triangles are congruent (which sides or angles are equal, which one of the above reasons to use).

2)

If its SSS, you must write three S statements. If its ASA, you must write two A statements and one S statement and the S must be the side between the two angles, not just any side. If its SAS, you must write two S statements and one A statement and the A must be the angle between the two sides, not just any angle. Your proof will probably involve other statements as well!!

3)

When youve done the S and/or A statements, write a congruency statement. Remember the order of the letters matters. Write the correct reason, SSS, SAS or ASA. e.g.
P R T Q

Suppose the 2 triangles are congruent by ASA. If the congruency statement starts with PQR, then the second triangle must be in the order GTA Write: PQR GTA ASA

NOTE: SSS, SAS and ASA are written ONLY with a congruency statement, NEVER anywhere else! Heres one example of a congruency proof:
A B C D E

GIVEN:

ABF = EDF, CF bisects BFD

PROVE: BCF DCF Start by marking up the diagram with the given information. The diagram should end up looking like the one below:
A The story would be like this: Since the angles are equal, the angles beside them are equal, which makes sides BF and DF equal. CF also divides BFD into 2 equal angles. Now you can see congruency by ASA. Now start writing the statements and reasons. F B C D E

Statements ABF = EDF CBF = CDF BF = DF CF bisects BFD BFC = DFC BCF DCF

Reasons Given Supplementary to equal angles 1st A statement Sides opposite equal angles of a are equal the S statement Given Definition of bisects ASA 2nd A statement