• January 15th 2006, 01:41 PM
e-mom
Why is line segment ab = line segment ab? what is the name of the reason/postulate/whatever it is called?

Also, if you know that you have 2 triangles and you are trying to prove they are congruent and you know that 2 sides are equal and 1 angle is equal, which reason/law/postulate do you cite?

Thank you!
• January 15th 2006, 03:26 PM
ThePerfectHacker
Quote:

Originally Posted by e-mom
Why is line segment ab = line segment ab? what is the name of the reason/postulate/whatever it is called?

Also, if you know that you have 2 triangles and you are trying to prove they are congruent and you know that 2 sides are equal and 1 angle is equal, which reason/law/postulate do you cite?

Thank you!

$AB=AB$
Called the Reflexsive Postulate.

When two triangles have the same sides and and included angle they are congruent. This is called S.A.S. which means SIDE ANGLE SIDE. With ANGLE in between SIDE and SIDE, which was required.
• January 15th 2006, 06:03 PM
e-mom
thanks
Thank you!
• January 15th 2006, 06:36 PM
e-mom
geometry help needed, again
If you have 2 line segments, which form the 2 sides of a traingle, and have been given the fact that corresponding segments of the sides are equal, what rule could you cite to prove that the entire length of the 2 sides are the same.

I am eventually trying to prove that the triangle is isosceles.

A diagram is attached.

Thanks!
• January 15th 2006, 07:20 PM
ThePerfectHacker
The way how I understand the problem there is no way to prove what you are saying because it is wrong.
I understand it as that you know the small one is isoseles and and to show the big one is also isoseles but there is not enough infromation.

Perhaps you wanted to say that line down the middle is a bisector?
• January 16th 2006, 12:17 PM
e-mom
thanks
Thank you for the info that my reasoning wasn't going to prove it that way. I'll look for another way.

Thank you!