
What Is Congruence Definition Rules and Solved Examples
Two triangles are said to be congruent when all three corresponding sides are equal and all three corresponding angles are identical in measure. These triangles can be moved around, rotated, flipped, and turned to make them seem the same. They will line up if they are moved. The symbol of congruence is’ ≅’. Congruent triangles have the same sides and angles as each other. There are basically four congruence rules that are rhs sss sas asa used to prove if two triangles are congruent.However, all six dimensions must be discovered. As a result, the congruence of triangles may be determined using only three of the six variables.
In this article we will learn rhs congruent triangles and other congruent triangles sss sas asa rhs along with solved examples.
Conditions of Congruence in Triangles
Two triangles are said to be congruent if both the triangles have similar size and shape. It is not necessary to find all six corresponding elements of both triangles to be equal in order to determine that they are congruent. There are five prerequisites for two triangles to be congruent, according to studies and experiments. They are sss sas asa rhs and aas congruence properties.
Congruent Triangles
Both triangles are said to be congruent if their three angles and three sides are equivalent to the equivalent angles and sides of another triangle. In the Δ PQR and ΔXYZ,We can see that PQ = XY, PR = XZ, and QR = YZ in the PQR and XYZ, and that ∠P = ∠ X, ∠Q = ∠ Y, and also ∠R = ∠Z. Hence we can say that Δ PQR ≅ ΔXYZ.
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To be congruent, the two triangles must be the same size and shape. Both of the given triangles should be superimposed on one another. A triangle's location or appearance appears to change when we rotate, reflect, and/or translate it. In that instance, we must determine the six parts of a triangle as well as the parts of the other triangle that correspond to them. Consider Δ ABC and ΔPQR as shown below.
Identifying the Corresponding Parts
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Thus on identifying the corresponding parts of the given triangles, we say that the Δ ABC ≅ ΔPQR.
CPCT
We come across the word CPCT, when we study about the congruent triangle. CPCT means “Corresponding Parts of Congruent Triangles”. The matching parts of congruent triangles are equal, as we know. We typically utilise the abbreviation cpct in brief phrases instead of the complete version while dealing with triangle principles and solving problems.
We can predict the congruence without actually measuring the sides and angles of a triangle. Different rules of congruency are as follows.
SSS (Side-Side-Side)
SAS (Side-Angle-Side)
ASA (Angle-Side-Angle)
AAS (Angle-Angle-Side)
RHS (Right angle-Hypotenuse-Side)
RHS Congruent Triangles
Here we will discuss congruence rhs sss and other congruence methods of triangle.
According to congruent triangles rhs rule : In two right-angled triangles, when the length of the hypotenuse and corresponding side of one triangle equals the length of the hypotenuse and corresponding side of the second triangle, the two triangles are congruent. It is also known as rhs triangle congruence.
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We can see in above figure, hypotenuse XZ = RT and side YZ=ST
Hence triangle XYZ ≅ triangle RST.
SSS Congruence Rule
According to the theorem: The two triangles are congruent if the three sides of one triangle are equal to the corresponding three sides (SSS) of the other triangle
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We can see in the above-given figure, AB= PQ, QR= BC and AC=PR
Hence Δ ABC ≅ Δ PQR.
ASA ( Angle - Side - Angle ) Congruence Rule
The two triangles are said to be congruent if any two angles and the side included between the angles of one triangle are comparable to the corresponding two angles and side included between the angles of the second triangle. Hence the two triangles are said to be congruent by ASA rule.
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We can see in above figure, ∠ B = ∠ Q, ∠ C = ∠ R and the sides between ∠B =∠C , ∠Q =∠ R i.e. BC= QR. Hence, Δ ABC ≅ Δ PQR.
SAS (Side-Angle-Side)
According to the SAS theorem - The two triangles are said to be congruent if any two sides and the angle included between the sides of one triangle are equivalent to the corresponding two sides and the angle between the sides of the another triangle.
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We can see in above given figure, length of sides AB= PQ, AC=PR and angle between AC and AB equal to angle between PR and PQ i.e. ∠A = ∠P. Hence, Δ ABC ≅ Δ PQR.
Angle - Angle - Side( AAS)
According to the Angle - Angle - Side rule : Two triangles are congruent if their corresponding two angles and one non-included side are equal.
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Given that:
∠ BAC = ∠ QPR, ∠ ACB = ∠ RQP and AB=QR,
So the triangle ABC and PQR are congruent to each other (△ABC ≅△ PQR).
Solved Examples:
1. In the Figure Given Below, AB = BC and AD = CD. Show that BD Bisects AC at Right Angles.
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Sol: Consider ∆ABD and ∆CBD,
Given AB = BC
AD = CD
Common Side BD = BD
By SSS congruency Therefore, ∆ABD ≅ ∆CBD
(By CPCT)
∠ABD = ∠CBD
Now, consider ∆ABE and ∆CBE,
(Given) AB = BC
∠ABD = ∠CBD (Proved above)
Common Side BE = BE
Therefore, ∆ABE≅ ∆CBE (By SAS congruency)
∠BEA = ∠BEC (CPCTC)
According to Linear pair
∠BEA +∠BEC = 180°
2∠BEA = 180° (∠BEA = ∠BEC)
∠BEA = 180°/2 = 90° = ∠BEC
By CPCT AE = EC
Hence, BD is a perpendicular bisector of AC.
2. In the Given Triangle Figures, Prove that Two Triangles are Congruent.
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Sol: To prove two triangles are congruent we need to find value of ∠ABC
Given ∠BAC = 65° and ∠BCA = 55°
In ∆ABC, ∠BAC + ∠ABC + ∠BCA = 180°
⟹ 65° + ∠ABC +55° = 180°
⟹ ∠ABC = 60°.
We can see in both ∆ABC and ∆XYZ,
Gien AB = XZ = 4 cm, BC = YZ = 5 cm
Also we found value of ∠ABC
So, ∠ABC = ∠XZY = 60°.
Therefore, both the triangles are congruent by SAS (Side-Angle-Side) criterion of congruence.
Conclusion:
We have discussed different types of congruence methods of triangles. We have learnt congruence rhs sss and rhs triangle congruence. From above we can conclude that following are the important points that we need to remember about congruence of triangle:
If the six parts of one triangle are equal to the corresponding six parts of the other triangle, the two triangles are congruent..
There are five criteria used to determine triangle congruence. Five conditions are SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS, and RHS criteria.
Two triangles that have equal corresponding angles may not be congruent to each other because one triangle may be an enlarged copy of the another triangle. Hence, there is no AAA Criterion for Congruence.
Triangles with corresponding sides and angles are said to be congruent. Congruence is denoted by the symbol “≅”. Both the triangles have the same area as well as the same perimeter
FAQs on Congruence of Triangles and Geometric Figures
1. What is congruence in maths?
Congruence in maths means that two figures are exactly the same in shape and size. In geometry, two shapes are congruent if one can be moved (by translation, rotation, or reflection) to perfectly match the other without resizing. For example, two triangles with equal corresponding sides and equal corresponding angles are called congruent triangles. Congruence is commonly denoted by the symbol ≅.
2. What does the congruence symbol mean?
The congruence symbol ≅ means “is congruent to,” indicating two figures have the same shape and size. For example, if triangle ABC is congruent to triangle DEF, we write △ABC ≅ △DEF. This means:
- AB = DE
- BC = EF
- AC = DF
- Corresponding angles are equal
3. What are the rules for triangle congruence?
The rules for triangle congruence are SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS, and RHS. Two triangles are congruent if they satisfy any one of these conditions:
- SSS (Side-Side-Side): All three corresponding sides are equal.
- SAS (Side-Angle-Side): Two sides and the included angle are equal.
- ASA (Angle-Side-Angle): Two angles and the included side are equal.
- AAS (Angle-Angle-Side): Two angles and a non-included side are equal.
- RHS (Right angle-Hypotenuse-Side): In right triangles, hypotenuse and one side are equal.
4. How do you prove two triangles are congruent?
To prove two triangles are congruent, show they satisfy one of the standard congruence criteria such as SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS, or RHS. Steps:
- Identify the given equal sides or angles.
- Match corresponding parts carefully.
- Check if they meet any one congruence rule.
- Conclude using the congruence statement (e.g., △ABC ≅ △DEF).
5. What is the difference between congruent and similar figures?
The difference is that congruent figures have the same shape and size, while similar figures have the same shape but different sizes. In congruence:
- All corresponding sides are equal.
- All corresponding angles are equal.
- Corresponding angles are equal.
- Corresponding sides are proportional (same ratio).
6. Can you give an example of congruent triangles?
An example of congruent triangles is when all three corresponding sides are equal under the SSS rule. Suppose:
- △ABC has sides 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm
- △DEF has sides 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm
7. What is RHS congruence rule?
The RHS (Right angle-Hypotenuse-Side) rule states that two right triangles are congruent if their hypotenuse and one corresponding side are equal. Conditions:
- Both triangles must have a right angle (90°).
- The hypotenuse lengths are equal.
- One corresponding side is equal.
8. Why is AAA not a congruence rule?
AAA is not a congruence rule because equal angles alone guarantee only similarity, not equal size. Two triangles can have the same three angles but different side lengths. For example, triangles with angles 60°, 60°, 60° can have different side lengths, so they are similar but not necessarily congruent.
9. What is CPCTC in congruence?
CPCTC stands for Corresponding Parts of Congruent Triangles are Congruent. Once two triangles are proven congruent, we can conclude:
- Corresponding sides are equal.
- Corresponding angles are equal.
10. How is congruence used in real life?
Congruence is used in real life to ensure objects are identical in shape and size for accuracy and symmetry. Applications include:
- Construction: Ensuring equal beams or tiles fit perfectly.
- Engineering: Designing matching machine parts.
- Architecture: Creating symmetrical structures.
- Manufacturing: Producing identical products using molds.

































