Important Terms in Geometry

Geometry Hand-outs Symbol Name Meaning

≅ Congruent Exactly equal
shape, size and
measurements
“The laws of nature are but mathematical thoughts of  Thales exists during 600 B.C he proved the ∠ Angle Is a
theorems on circle combination of
God” -Euclid- two rays with a
-According to the bible, Genesis 1:1  Pythagoras exists during 572 B.C till 300 BC, he common
1st day- God created heaven and the earth proved the Pythagorean theorem endpoint
∟ Right Angle When two
2nd day- God created the sky  Euclid from Alexandria also exists during 300 B.C, straight lines
3rd day- dry land and plants he is a Mathematics teacher in Alexandria and intersect each
considered as the father of Geometry because he other at the
4th day- God created sun, moon and the stars intersection,
5th day- God created the water and the sky animals collected all the well known facts and formed his they form the
6th day- God created land animals and the people famous treatise which is called the Elements 90 degree or
right angle
 Book of Elements consists of 13 volumes m∠B + m∠D Supplementary The sum of two
From the very start up to the last day of God creation,  Point, line and Plane are undefined terms =180° Angles angles is equal
to 180°
Mathematics already exists. Mathematics was not  Point has no width and no length
m∠B + m∠D Complementary The sum of the
invented but mathematics was discovered by the  Line has no width but infinite length =90° angles two angles is
brilliant people Isaac Newton (discovered the gravity),  Plane is a flat surface which has no width but equal to 90
degrees
Al-Khwarizmi (father of Algebra) Pythagoras (prove the infinite length ⊥ Perpendicular two lines
Pythagorean Theorem), Euclid (father of Geometry)  Defined terms are terms or ideas from undefined lines intersecting
and many more. Majority of the scientists does not each other at
terms example:
90 degrees
believe of superficial beliefs but the scientists -segment- is a type of line with two endpoints Adjacent angles two angles are
appreciates, study and discover the creation of God. -ray- is a type of line has one endpoint and extends adjacent if they
They also believe that there is creator for example, one have a common
infinitely side and a
simple mistake of gravity calculation they believed that  Postulates are terms derived from geometry common
the Earth would fall.  Axioms are properties derived outside geometry vertex.

Parts of Quadrilaterals
Theorems Theorems on different kinds of
 Theorems are statements that are Parallelogram
proven to be true using definitions, Theorems on Rectangle
axioms, postulates and derived using Theorem 1: If a parallelogram has a right
reasoning angle, then it has four right angles and
 Before we will conclude that the the parallelogram is a rectangle
theorem is true or not, we need to Theorem 2- The diagonals of a rectangle
provide a proof” are congruent Symbol Name Meaning
Point A Vertex A point where
 “In some instances, undefined terms, Theorems on Rhombus Point B two or more line
Point C segments meet
defined terms or the postulates are Theorem 3: The diagonals of a rhombus Point D
included in our proofs are perpendicular Segment AB
Segment BC
Sides the line segment
that joins two
 A proof in mathematics is an argument Theorem 4: The diagonals of a rhombus Segment CD vertices in a
Segment AD shape or two-
that uses logic to establish the truth of a bisects opposite angles dimensional
figure
statement Segment AC Diagonals joining two
Segment BD opposite corners
of a square or
Properties of Rectangle Properties of Rectangle other flat shape
with four sides
Point E Midpoint the point on a line
-since a rectangle is a parallelogram, the -since a rhombus is a parallelogram, the segment or an arc
properties of parallelogram are present in properties of parallelogram are present in that is
equidistant, when
the rectangle. There are only two properties the rhombus. There are only three measured along
the line or the
will be added that is not present on the properties will be added that is not present arc, from both
parallelogram which are the two theorems: on the parallelogram: endpoints.

Properties of Parallelogram
1. Theorem 1- If a parallelogram has a right 1. All four sides are equal 1. In a parallelogram, opposite sides are
2. Theorem 3- The diagonals of a rhombus congruent
angle then it has four right angles and the
2. In a parallelogram, opposite angles are
parallelogram is a rectangle are perpendicular congruent
3. Theorem 4- The diagonals of a rhombus 3. In a parallelogram, consecutive angles are
2. Theorem 2- The diagonals of a rectangle supplementary
bisects opposite angles 4. The diagonals of a parallelogram bisects each
are congruent
other
5. The diagonal of a parallelogram forms two
congruent triangles
 Prove theorems on Different Kinds of Parallelogram
Theorem 1 Theorem 2 Theorem 3 Theorem 4
If a parallelogram has a right angle, then it has The diagonals of a rectangle are congruent The diagonals of a rhombus are perpendicular Each diagonal of a rhombus bisect
four right angles and the parallelogram is a opposite angles
rectangle

Given: WINS is a parallelogram with ∠W is a Given: Rectangle WINS is a rectangle with

right angle diagonals WN AND SI
Prove: ∠I, ∠N and ∠S are right angles

W I
W I

S N
Statements Reasons S N
1. Given
1. WINS is a Since the rectangle forms a triangle through the
parallelogram with ∠W diagonals, our goal is we will come up with congruent
is a right angle triangles postulates and theorems which are the :
(always WRITE the given)
Properties of a Rhombus Properties of a Rhombus
2. ∠W = 90° Definition of 1. SSS Congruence Postulate- Since a rhombus is a parallelogram, all the Since a rhombus is a parallelogram,
(you need to define or Right angles 2. SAS Congruence Postulate properties of parallelogram are present in the all the properties of parallelogram
make sure that ∠W 3. ASA Congruence Postulate rhombus. are present in the rhombus.
measures 90°) 4. AAS Theorem Definition of Rhombus- All four sides are equal Definition of Rhombus- All four sides
3. m∠W = m∠N In a Theorem 3: The diagonals of a rhombus are are equal
m∠I = m∠S parallelogram, Statements Reasons perpendicular Theorem 3: The diagonals of a
(you need to think that any two opposite 1. Rectangle WINS is a Given Theorem 4: Each diagonal of a rhombus bisect rhombus are perpendicular
would support that an angles are rectangle with diagonals opposite angles Theorem 4: Each diagonal of a
angle is congruent
congruent WN AND SI rhombus bisect opposite angles
4. m∠W ≅ m∠N Definition of (always write the given) Since the given involved triangles, our goal is to
m∠I ≅ m∠S congruent angles come up with congruent triangle postulates Since the given involved triangles,
(define that these pair of
2. WS ≅ IN Opposite sides of a our goal is to come up with
angles are congruent)
(start from finding a reason rectangle are 1. SSS Congruence Postulate- congruent triangle postulates
5. m∠N= 90 Substitution
that would say the sides congruent 2. SAS Congruence Postulate
(since we all know from
are congruent to create a 3. ASA Congruence Postulate 1. SSS Congruence Postulate-
statement no. 2 that ∠W is
equal to 90 ° and from congruent side) 4. AAS Theorem
statement no. 4 states that 2. SAS Congruence Postulate
∠W and angle ∠I are
3. ∠WSN and ∠INS are Definition of rectangle Statements Reasons 3. ASA Congruence Postulate
congruent, it means that 1. Rhombus ROSE Given 4. AAS Theorem
these two have the same right angles. or Theorem 1
(next is to think that an (always write first
measurements)
6. m∠W + m∠I=180° Consecutive angle is a right angle to the given) Statements Reasons
prove that they are 2. OS ≅ RO Definition of Rhombus
(we need to think another angles are 1. LOVE Given
way that we can prove that congruent congruent) 3. Diagonal RS and The diagonals of a
the other angles are also OE bisects at point parallelogram bisect is a
90 degrees. In this 4. ∠WSN ≅ ∠INS All right angles are H each other rhombus
statement we use the (Confirm that the two congruent
property no.3 of angles that they are 4. H is the midpoint All right angles are
parallelogram) congruent) of diagonal RS congruent
2. LE ≅ LO; Definition
7. 90°+ m∠I = 180° Substitution
(from statement no. 2 and 5. SN ≅ NS Reflexive Property OV ≅ VE of Rhombus
no. 5 we all know that (if we separate the two 5. RH ≅ SH Definition of midpoint 3. LV ≅ LV Definition
angle W measures 90 triangles, side SN are 6. OH ≅ OH Reflexive Property
degrees. We substitute the
of rectangle
repeated parts of the two 7. RHO ≅ SHO SSS Congruence
given value from statement triangles) Postulate 4. ELO ≅ SSS
no. 6 and put it down to
Statement no. 7) W I 8. ∠RHO ≅ ∠SHO CPCTC OVE Congruence
8. 90° = 90° Reflexive 9. ∠RHO and ∠SHO Linear Pair Postulate Postulate
(From reason #3 states that Property are right angles (since the two pairs of
opposite angles are
5. ∠1 ≅ ∠2 CPCTC
S N S N angles are on the
congruent and reason #6 same line segment RS, ∠3 ≅ ∠4
also states that 6. WSN ≅ INS SAS congruence
then the two angles
consecutive angles are (Lock the two triangles that postulate
supplementary, we are supplementary)
they are congruent)
substitute the given value 10. RS ⊥ OE Perpendicular lines
which is ∠W is 90°. meet to form right
Therefore the two angles 7. WN ≅ IS CPCTC angles
are equal to itself. (Since diagonal WN and IS
9. m∠I = 90° Substitution are corresponding parts of
congruent triangles then
10. m∠S = 90° Substitution
we can use the CPCTC
(Statement
Theorem)
Number 4 and 9) I
11. ∠I, ∠N, and ∠S are If the measure is W
right angles 90° then it is
right angle
S NS N
12. WINS is a Definition of S
rectangle Rectangle
 Midline Theorem
Statements Reasons
1. ∆HNS has O as the midpoint of HN and E as Given
the midpoint of NS

2. In a ray opposite EO, there is a point T such 2. In a ray, point at a given distance from the
that OE=ET endpoint of the ray.
(since our goal is to prove segment OE parallel
to segment HS, we need to extend the
segments by creating a ray since ray is a part of
a line that has a fixed starting point but no
endpoint. The purpose of our ray ST is to bisect
the two rays to create a point so that OE=ET
3. EN ≅ ES Definition of midpoint Postulates
(the definition of midpoint the point which divides  Line Postulate- through any two points there is exactly
one line
the line segment into two equal parts)
 Segment Addition Postulate- If three points, A, B and C
4. ∠2 ≅ ∠3 Vertical Angles are congruent
are collinear and B is between A and C, then AB + BC =
(vertical angles is either of a pair of angles that have
AC
the same vertex and are on opposite sides of two
 Linear Pair Postulate – if two angles forms a linear pair,
intersecting straight lines)
then they are supplementary
5. ∆ONE ≅ ∆TSE SAS Congruent Postulate
 Perpendicular lines- two lines meets to form right
(since the two triangles have a side congruent, an angles
angle congruent and a side congruent)
Reasoning and Proof
6. ∠1≅ ∠4 CPCTC  All right angles are congruent
(since angle 1 and angle 4 are corresponding angles  Vertical Angles Theorem- Vertical angles are
of congruent triangles then we conclude that the congruent
corresponding parts of congruent triangles are
Axioms
congruent)
 Reflexive Property of Equality –
7. HN || ST Alternate Interior Angle are congruent Segment AB= Segment AB, ∠A = ∠A
(Alternate angles are formed by parallel lines after  Transitive Property of Equality-
they are cut by a transversal line. Since angle 1 and If AB  CD, and CD  EF, then AB  EF.
angle 2 are alternate interior angle then side HN is If A  B , and B  C, then A C
parallel to side ST)  Substitution- if two quantities are equal, then one
8. OH ≅ ON Definition of midpoint can be replaced by the other in any expression,
9. ON ≅ TS CPCTC and the result won't be changed
(since segment ON and TS are parts of congruent  Addition Property- when two equal quantities are
triangles then the corresponding parts of congruent added to two more equal quantities, their sums
triangles are congruent) are equal.
10. OH ≅ ST Transitivity Property (from SN 8-10)
11. Quadrilateral HOTS is a parallelogram Definition of Parallelogram
 Subtraction Property- when two equal quantities
are subtracted from two other equal quantities,
12. OE || HS In a parallelogram, opposite sides are parallel
their differences are equal
13. OE + ET = OT Segment Addition Postulate
(If point B in BETWEEN points A and C on line  Multiplication Property- when two equal
quantities are multiplied with two other equal
segment AC then AB + BC = AC)
quantities, their products are equal
14. OE + OE = OT Substitution SN 2
15. 2OE = OT Addition Property  Division Property- when two equal quantities are
divided from two other equal quantities, their
16. HS ≅ OT Opposite sides of parallelogram are congruent
resultants are equal.
17. 2OE ≅ HS Substitution SN 16
Parallel Lines
 Alternate Interior Angle Theorem- If a transversal
18. OE = 1/2 HS Multiplication Property
intersects two parallel lines, then alternate
interior angles are congruent.
Congruent Triangles  Alternate Exterior Angles Theorem: If a transversal
intersects two parallel lines, then alternate
exterior angles are congruent.
 Side‐Side‐Side (SSS) Postulate - If three sides of  Angle‐Side‐Angle (ASA) Postulate If two angles
Definitions
one triangle are congruent to three sides of and the included side of one triangle are
 Definition of Midpoint -A midpoint of a segment is
another triangle, then the two triangles are congruent to two angles and the included side
the point that divides the segment into two
congruent. of another triangle, then the two triangles are
congruent segments
 Side‐Angle‐Side (SAS) Postulate If two sides and congruent
 Definition of Right Angle -A right angle is an angle
the included angle of one triangle are  Angle‐Angle‐Side (AAS) Theorem If two angles
whose measure if 90.
congruent to two sides and the included angle and a non‐included side of one triangle are
of another triangle, then the two triangles are congruent to two angles and a non‐included
congruent. side of another triangle, then the two triangles
are congruent.