In right triangles, we have a condition that already exists in the first place. It refers to the right angle that iss given and that turns a triangle into a right triangle.
In the second stage, we will move on to the sides. In every right triangle we have two perpendiculars (two sides between which the right angle is comprised) and the other (the larger side of the triangle that faces the right angle).
When there are two right triangles in front of us, in which one size is perpendicular and the size of the rest is equal to each other, then we can conclude that these are congruent triangles.
Right triangle congruence takes into account the unique properties of right triangles and uses them to prove congruence.
We are already familiar with the usual congruence theorems:
Congruence according to Side-Angle-Side Congruence according to Angle-Side-Angle Congruence according to Side-Side-Side.
We will illustrate this with an example.
The graph shows two right triangles: △ABC and △DEF.
Both triangles have a right angle (equal to 90o degrees).
Moreover, in both triangles there is a perpendicular equal to 3 (i.e., AB=DE), while the remaining one is equal to 5(AC=DF).
If we were now to use the Pythagorean theorem, we would reach the size of the second perpendicular in each of the triangles and this perpendicular would come out equal to 4, since it is the same calculation.
Therefore, we can always make use of the conclusion we have already reached, according to which when we are given two right triangles, in which one of them is perpendicular and the rest are equal to each other, respectively, we can conclude that these are congruent triangles.
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A right triangle is a figure that has three sides and has a right angle, that is, an angle of 90°, like the one shown in the figure.
The △ABC is a right triangle.
What is right triangle congruence?
Recall that the congruence of figures refers when two figures have the same shape and their corresponding sides and angles are equal, in the case of right triangles, it must be exactly the same. The difference here is that right triangles already have a defining characteristic that identifies them. If we have two right triangles then we already know that one of its angles measures 90° and it is only a matter of seeing what congruence criteria is met to verify that they are congruent triangles.
What are the congruence criteria to determine if two right triangles are congruent?
There are four criteria to determine if two triangles are congruent or not, which are the following:
SAS- Side, Angle, Side: Two triangles are congruent when two of their sides and the angle between them measure the same.
ASA- Angle, Side, Angle: Two triangles are congruent when two of their corresponding angles and the side between them measure the same.
SSS- Side, Side, Side: Two triangles are congruent if their three corresponding sides measure the same.
SSA- Side, Side, Angle: Two triangles are congruent if two of their corresponding sides and an angle opposite one of them have the same measure.
When are two right triangles not congruent?
Two right triangles are not congruent when they do not meet any of the above congruence criteria, i.e., their corresponding sides and angles have different measures (they have different shapes).
Examples with solutions for Congruence of Right Triangles (using the Pythagorean Theorem)
Exercise #1
Look at the triangles in the diagram.
Determine which of the statements is correct.
Step-by-Step Solution
Let's consider that:
AC=EF=4
DF=AB=5
Since 5 is greater than 4 and the angle equal to 34 is opposite the larger side in both triangles, the angle ACB must be equal to the angle DEF
Therefore, the triangles are congruent according to the SAS theorem, as a result of this all angles and sides are congruent, and all answers are correct.
Answer
All of the above.
Exercise #2
Look at the triangles in the diagram.
Which of the following statements is true?
Step-by-Step Solution
According to the existing data:
EF=BA=10(Side)
ED=AC=13(Side)
The angles equal to 53 degrees are both opposite the greater side (which is equal to 13) in both triangles.
(Angle)
Since the sides and angles are equal among congruent triangles, it can be determined that angle DEF is equal to angle BAC
Answer
Angles BAC is equal to angle DEF.
Exercise #3
Look at the triangles in the diagram.
Which of the following statements is true?
Step-by-Step Solution
This question actually has two steps:
In the first step, you must define if the triangles are congruent or not,
and then identify the correct answer among the options.
Let's look at the triangles: we have two equal sides and one angle,
But this is not a common angle, therefore, it cannot be proven according to the S.A.S theorem
Remember the fourth congruence theorem - S.A.A If the two triangles are equal to each other in terms of the lengths of the two sides and the angle opposite to the side that is the largest, then the triangles are congruent.
But the angle we have is not opposite to the larger side, but to the smaller side,
Therefore, it is not possible to prove that the triangles are congruent and no theorem can be established.
Answer
It is not possible to calculate.
Exercise #4
Given: ΔABC isosceles
and the line AD cuts the side BC.
Are ΔADC and ΔADB congruent?
And if so, according to which congruence theorem?
Step-by-Step Solution
Since we know that the triangle is isosceles, we can establish that AC=AB and that
AD=AD since it is a common side to the triangles ADC and ADB
Furthermore given that the line AD intersects side BC, we can also establish that BD=DC
Therefore, the triangles are congruent according to the SSS (side, side, side) theorem
Answer
Congruent by L.L.L.
Exercise #5
The triangles ABO and CBO are congruent.
Which side is equal to BC?
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
Let's consider the corresponding congruent triangles letters: