Understanding Congruent Triangles

Congruent triangles are triangles that are exactly the same in size and shape. We can tell if two triangles are congruent by using a few important rules:

1. SSS (Side-Side-Side): If all three sides of one triangle are the same length as the three sides of another triangle, they are congruent.

2. SAS (Side-Angle-Side): If two sides of one triangle and the angle between them are the same as those in another triangle, then the triangles are congruent.

3. ASA (Angle-Side-Angle): If two angles and the side between them in one triangle are the same as those in another triangle, the triangles are congruent.

4. AAS (Angle-Angle-Side): If two angles and one side that is not in between them are the same in two triangles, then those triangles are congruent.

5. HL (Hypotenuse-Leg): This rule only works for right triangles. If the longest side (hypotenuse) and one other side (leg) in one right triangle are the same as in another right triangle, the triangles are congruent.

Using these rules helps us understand that congruent triangles have the same size and shape.