Geometry Study Guide

Unit 1: Introduction to Geometry

Section 1- Intro to Geometry:
Types of GeometryEuclidean
Axiomatic System in which all theorems are derived from postulates and undefined terms
Theorems, postulates and undefined terms are based upon relationships seen on flat
surfaces
Non-Euclidean
o developed by changing the 5th postulate in Euclidean geometry
o With the change, two systems of geometry were formed
o Curved surfaces
o
o

Euclidean GeometriesDiscrete
o Points have size and shape
o Between any two points there may or may not be another point
o Two intersecting lines may or may not share a point
o Two-dimensional
Synthetic
o Points are location
o No size
o Between two points there is always another point
o Lines are the set of all points, extending in both directions, containing the shortest
path between any two points
o If two lines intersect, then they share a common point
o Planes are the set of all points extending infinitely in two dimensions (flat
surface)
Graph Theory
o Branch of discrete geometry in which dots are used to create networks
o Ex- Flight Map
Analytical Geometry
o Branch of Synthetic Geometry
o Also known as coordinate geometry
o Every point can be identified using an ordered pair or real numbers
o Every line can be shown using an equation
Undefined Termso Everything in a box is in the plane
o Planes are labeled with capital, cursive letters
o Planes are 2-D
o Lines are 1-D
o Points have no size
o Two points make a line
o Points are labeled with capital letters
o Dont pick 3 letters on the same line when naming a plane

Section 2- Intro to Geometry:

Definitions using the Undefined Termso Line Segment- A measurable piece of a line with 2 end points
o Ray- A piece of a line with one end point and goes through another point forever
o Collinear- On the same line (at least 3 points)
o Coplanar- All points in a plane (at least 4 points)
o Angle- Two rays that share a common vertex
o Opposite Rays- two rays that have a common end point and form a line
Postulates using Undefined TermsUnique Line Postulate
Through any two points, there is exactly one line
Unique Plane Postulate
Through any 3 non-collinear points, there exists exactly one plane
Dimension Assumption Postulates
Given a line, there exists at least one point not on the line
Given a plane, there exists at least one point not on the plane
Line Intersection Postulate
If two lines intersect, then they intersect at exactly one point
Plane Intersection Postulate
If two planes intersect, then they intersect at exactly one line
Point-Line-Plane Postulate
If two points lie on a plane, then the line containing the two points lies on the plane
Section 3- Segments and Angle Postulates:
Segment Addition Postulate (S.A.P)o Need 3 points for this postulate
o Given a point between two end points, the sum of the segments from each
endpoint to the point is equal to the segment connecting the endpoints.
Angle Addition Postulate (A.A.P)o Need 2 adjacent angles for this postulate
o Given a point lying in the interior of an angle, the sum of the adjacent angles
created by the ray passing through the interior point is equal to the given angle.
Section 4- Segment and Angle Bisectors:
Equal Vs. Congruento Equal signs are used whenever the notation suggests a numerical value
Ex: if AB=6 and GH=6 then AB=GH
o If two objects have the same numerical value for a particular concept, then the
objects are considered congruent
Ex: if AB=GH then AB
Segment Bisectoro Given a segment, if a line, ray or segment passes through a point creating two
equal segments, then the ray, segment or line is called a segment bisector

o The point where the bisector intersects the given segment is called the midpoint
Angle Bisectoro Given an angle, if a ray passes through an interior point of the angle creating two
equal angles, then the ray is called an angle bisector
Section 5- Angle Relationships
Reasons used in Proofso The diagram and/or statement that has been written for us is known as the given
o Statements following the given information can be generated using definitions,
postulates, theorems, and/or properties from algebra
Complementary Angleso Two angles are complementary if the sum of their measure is 90
Supplementary Angleso Two angles are supplementary if the sum of their measure is 180
Linear Pairso If two angles are adjacent and their non-common sides are opposite rays then the
angles are called a linear pair (forms a 180 straight line)
Linear Pair Postulate If two angles form a linear pair then the angles are supplementary
Vertical Angleso Two angles whos sides form two pairs of opposite rays are called vertical angles
Vertical Angle Theorem If two angles form a vertical pair, then the two angles are congruent
Section 6- Analytical Geometry (Coordinate Geometry)Distance Formula- D= ( x)2 +( y)2
o
( x )=x 1x 2
o Distance formula is used to find the distance from any two points
x 1+ X y 1+ y
Midpoint Formula- M =(
,
)
2
2
o Midpoint formula is used to find the midpoint of any given line
2

Unit 2: Logic, Reasoning, and Proof

Section 1-Inductive Reasoning:
Three step Process:
1. Look for a pattern (or create a pattern based on given information)
2. Make a conjecture (an unproven statement based upon observation)
3. Verify the conjecture (try to find a counterexample to prove the conjecture is true)
Section 2- Conditional Statements:
5 Types of conditional statements1. If-Then (Hypothesis and Conclusion) p(hypothesis)q(conclusion)
2. Converse (Reverse the order of the If-Then) qp
3. Inverse (Negate the If-Then) ~p~q
4. Contrapositive (Inverse of converse or converse of inverse) ~q~p

5. Bi-Conditional (If and only if statement used to combine If-Then with a true
converse statement) pq

Section 3Law of Detachmento Based on the if-then statement, create an example of the hypothesis and
conclusion
Law of Syllogismo Based on the if-then statement, create a new conclusion (r) which logically
follows q. Re-write an if-then using p and r
Ex:
1. If the measure of angle A 90, then angle A is acute
qr: if angle A is acute, then angle A is not right
pr: if the measure of angle A is 90, then angle A is not right
Section 4- Algebraic Properties:
1. Addition, Subtraction, Division and Multiplication Properties of Equality
2. Distributive Property of Equality
3. Substitution Property of Equality
4. Combining like Terms (Simplify
5. Reflexive Property of Equality
6. Symmetric Property of Equality
7. Transitive Property of Equality

Unit 3: Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Section 1- Lines and Angles:
Given three lines:
o A line intersecting two coplanar lines at different points is called a transversal
o Angle pairs formed by formed by a Transversal:
Corresponding angles- angles in the same general area along a transversal
Alternate Interior Angles- alternating angles in between the nontransversals
Alternate Exterior Angles- alternating angles on the outside of the exterior
of the non-transversals
Consecutive Interior Angles- Two consecutive interior angles on the same
side of a transversal
Consecutive Exterior Angles- Two consecutive exterior angles on the same
side of a transversal
o Angle pairs formed by intersecting lines:
Linear Pairs
Vertical Angles
Skew Lines:
o Two non-coplanar lines that do not intersect

Section 3- Proving Lines are Parallel:

o Use the converse of the postulate and the theorems found in Section 2 to prove
lines are parallel
o When proving two lines are parallel (//) start with the converse of
o Prove lines are parallel only if there is a correct angle relationship that have
congruent angles
Section 4&5- Coordinate Geometry:
1. Graph lines on a coordinate plane
2. Find the equation of a line based on various information
3. (Equation of a line: y- y 1 =m(x- x 1 )
4. Find the equation of a line parallel or perpendicular to a given line
o Parallel- same slope
o Perpendicular- opposite reciprocal slope
5. Find the intersection of two lines graphically
6. Find the midpoint and distance of two points

Unit 4- Triangles
Section 1- Classification of a Triangle:
Side Classificationo Scalene- No congruent sides
o Isosceles- Two congruent Sides
o Equilateral- Three congruent sides
Angle Classificationo Acute- All three angle measurements are 90
o Right- One angle measures 90 and the two other are complementary angles
o Obtuse- One angle measures 90
o Equiangular- All three angle measurements are congruent
Inequalities of Triangle Theoremso The largest angle of a triangle is opposite to the longest side
o The smallest angle of a triangle is opposite the shortest side
o The sum of any two sides is greater than the third side length
Pythagorean Theoremo If triangle ABC is a right triangle, then a2+b2=c2
Pythagorean Inequalities Theoremo In triangle ABC where c is the longest side:
If a2+b2 c2 then triangle ABC is obtuse
If a2+b2 c2 then triangle ABC is acute
Section 2- Angles of a Triangle:
The Interior Angle Sum of a Triangle Theoremo The sum of three interior angles of a triangle is equal to 180
The Exterior Angle Sum Theoremo In ABC, the exterior angle at angle C is equal to the sum of the remote
interior angles, angle A and angle B
Base Angles of an Isosceles Triangle Theorem and its Converse-

o In isosceles ABC where AC=BC, then the measure of angle A= the measure
of angle B
o In ABC where the measure of angle A= the measure of angle B, then AC=BC
and the triangle is isosceles

Special Right Triangles(Isosceles Right Triangle)

(Equilateral Triangle cut in half)

Hinge Theoremo If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two sides of another triangle and the
included angles are not congruent, then the included angle that is larger has the
longer third side across from it
Hinge Theorem Converseo If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two sides of another triangle, but the
third side of each triangle are not congruent, then the included angle across from
the longer third side of one triangle is larger than the included angle of the other
triangle
Section 3- Congruent Figures:
Congruent Figureso Two figures are congruent if and only if the corresponding angles are congruent
and the corresponding sides are congruent
Third Angle Theoremo If two angles of a triangle are congruent to two angles of a second triangle, then
the third pair of angles are congruent
Section 4- Proving Triangles Congruent:
Congruent Triangleso ASA, AAS, SAS, SSS are the accepted ways when proving a triangle congruent
o Cant skip more than one angle and one side when proving a triangle congruent
Congruent Triangles (Special Case)-

o If the hypotenuse and a leg of one triangle are congruent to the hypotenuse and
leg of another triangle, then the two triangles are congruent (HL)
Corresponding Parts of Congruent Triangles are Congruento If we know two triangles are congruent, then each pair of corresponding parts
(ones not used in the proof) are congruent (CPCTC)
Section 5- Coordinate Proofs:
Step 1- Position the Given Figure in the Coordinate Plane
o If no coordinates are given:
Use the origin as a vertex, using only quadrant 1
Center the figure at the origin
Center a side of the figure at the origin
Use on or both axes as sides of the figure
Step 2- Assigning Coordinates to Verticeso If no coordinates are given:
Use variables, decide if any of the vertices relate to each other
If any calculations require a fraction, choose coordinates which ensures
the simplest calculation possible

Extra
Segments of Triangles:
Median (a segment that connects an angles vertices to the midpoint of the opposite side)o Centroid- if given at least two medians, the intersection point is called a centroid
When equilateral all medians are equal to each other
When isosceles, the medians from the base angles are congruent
o The longest median is connected to the shortest side, the smallest median is
connected to the longest side
o Centroid rule- 1/3:2/3 (midpoint to centroid: centroid to angle)
o Centroid is always inside the triangle)
Perpendicular Bisectors (a segment that makes 90 angles at the midpoints of each
side)o Must make 90 angles at each midpoint
o Intersection point of all 3 bisectors is called a circumcenter
o On a right triangle the circumcenter is on the midpoint of the hypotenuse
o On an obtuse triangle the circumcenter is on the outside of a triangle
o On an equilateral triangle the circumcenter is in the middle
o On an acute triangle the circumcenter is anywhere on the inside of the triangle
o If a perp. Bisector passes through an angle, the triangle is isosceles
Angle Bisectors (a segment that goes through an angle and cuts its measurement in
half)o Incenter- point where angle bisectors intersect (always inside the triangle)
o When the angle bisectors connect at opposite midpoint its an equilateral triangle
o The radii are the shortest distance to each side
o Tangent point- where the bisector hits the triangle at one point
Altitudes (Perpendicular to a side, connects with opposite angle)-

o Helps find area of a triangle (the height)

o Orthocenter- where multiple altitudes intersect
Right triangle- on right angle
Outside triangle when triangle is obtuse
Inside triangle when triangle is acute
In the center of triangle when triangle is equilateral
o Right triangle- 2 altitudes, both on the legs of the triangle
o Obtuse triangle- 2 altitudes outside of the triangle
o Acute triangle- all altitudes on the inside of the triangle
Midsegment (a segment that connects the midpoints of two sides of a triangle)o Creates a smaller triangle inside the bigger one
o Creates a triangle half the size of the larger one
o All four triangles on the inside are congruent
o Every midsegment is // to the side its measure is half of
Transformations:
o Translation- a transformation along a vector, each line is congruent and parallel
o Reflection- a transformation across a line called the line of reflection which is the
perpendicular bisector of each segment joining the point and its image
o Rotations- a transformation around a point called the center of rotation, the image
created is congruent and the same distance from the center of rotation as the preimage
o Dilations- a transformation in which the lines connecting every point with its preimage all intersect at a single point

Vocab
Conjecture- an unproven mathematical theorem
Postulate- a statement in geometry which does require a proof
Theorem- a statement in geometry which does not require a proof
Counterexample- an example which disproves a proposition
Line Segment- a part of a line that is bounded by two distinct endpoints
Ray- a geometric figure with an initial point extending infinitely in one direction
Opposite Rays- two rays that have the same endpoints and all points of the rays are collinear
Collinear- points on the same line
Coplanar- points in the same plane
Angle- formed when two rays meet at one point
Vertex- the point created when two rays meet
Congruent- same size, same shape
Acute Angle- an angle with a measurement less than 90
Obtuse Angle- an angle with a measurement more than 90
Right Angle- an angle with a measure meant exactly 90
Straight Angle- an angle that measures exactly 180
Adjacent Angles- Two angles that share a vertex and a ray
Complementary Angles- Two angles which have the sum of 90
Supplementary Angles- two angles which have the sum of 180
Vertical Angles- two opposite, congruent angles created by the intersection of two lines
Linear Pairs- two angles which are adjacent whose non-common sides are opposite rays

Midpoint- A point creating two congruent segments out of a larger segment

Angle Bisector- a line that splits an angles measure into two equal angles
Inductive Reasoning- the process of using observations to make conjectures
Point- something having position but not dimension or direction
Line- A set of connected points extending in two directions infinitely
Plane- a flat, two dimensional surface
Endpoint- a point that marks the beginning or end of a line segment or ray
Perimeter- the lengths of the sides of a two dimensional figure
Circumference- the distance around a circle, twice the length of the radius of a circle
Area- number of squared units a flat figure contains
Negation- The opposite of a conclusion