I have a test tomorrow over mathematical proofs and geometry and things...?

Question

Basically, I need help. The questions will most likely involve a diagram of a triangle, rectangle, parallelogram, or other shape. Then, he'll give me a fact, like angle A is congruent to angle C and sides B and D are parallel. Then he'll ask me to prove that two things are similar or congruent. I just made those facts up to give an example, that's not the actual question.
What I'm trying to ask is what theorems, rules, words, principles and things like that should I know in order to do well on this test?

Also, if someone could simply state the SSS Theorem, AA Theorem, or SAS Theorem that would be really really helpful. I think I understand them, but to have a good definition for my notes would be nice.

(we can use notes on the test)

Answer 1

From the sounds of it, I would say that you should probably look over your Alternate interior angle theorem for sure.

My biggest suggestion would be to look over the major theorems you've studied in the last unit and make sure you know how they work when you use them in a proof (as in, what they prove... i.e. angle a = 37 so angle b = 143 since they are alternate interior angles)

SSS - if all 3 sides of 2 triangles are congruent, the triangles are congruent

SAS - If two sides and the corresponding angle (the angle they make) of 2 triangles are congruent, then the triangles are congruent.

ASA - If two angles and the corresponding side of two triangles are congruent, the triangles are congruent.

You can't have AAA because similar triangles can have the same angles but different sides. You always have to have at least one side for triangles to be congruent.

Hope this helps you out. Good luck on the test!

Answer 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congruence_%28geometry%29

Use this link. Hope it will be of some help.

Best of luck!!