Basic Concepts in Geometry

Jul 11, 2024

Basic Concepts in Geometry

Lines

  • Line: Extends infinitely in both directions, represented by arrows on both ends.
    • Can be named based on the points it passes through (e.g., Line AB, Line BC, Line AC).

Rays

  • Ray: Extends infinitely in one direction from a single point.
    • Named starting with the first point (e.g., Ray AB, Ray AC, but not Ray BC).

Segments

  • Segment: Has a definite start and end point.
    • Named by its endpoints (e.g., Segment AB, Segment BA).

Angles

  • Acute Angle: Measures between 0 and 90 degrees.
  • Right Angle: Measures exactly 90 degrees.
  • Obtuse Angle: Measures between 90 and 180 degrees.
  • Straight Angle: Measures exactly 180 degrees.

Midpoint

  • Midpoint: Divides a segment into two equal parts.
    • If B is the midpoint of Segment AC, then Segment AB ≅ Segment BC.

Bisectors

  • Segment Bisector: A line, ray or segment that divides a line segment into two equal parts.
    • Example: If Ray RB passes through the midpoint of Segment AC, then AB ≅ BC.
  • Angle Bisector: A ray that divides an angle into two equal angles.
    • Example: If Ray BD bisects ∠ABC, then ∠ABD = ∠DBC.

Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

  • Parallel Lines: Never intersect and have equal slopes.
    • Example: If Line A and Line B have the same slope, they are parallel (A ∥ B).
  • Perpendicular Lines: Intersect at right angles.
    • Example: If Line A is perpendicular to Line B, and the slope of B is 2/5, the slope of A is -5/2 (A ⊥ B).

Complementary and Supplementary Angles

  • Complementary Angles: Two angles that add up to 90 degrees.
    • Example: ∠A = 40° and ∠C = 50° are complementary (∠A + ∠C = 90°).
  • Supplementary Angles: Two angles that add up to 180 degrees.
    • Example: ∠ABD = 110° and ∠DBC = 70° are supplementary (∠ABD + ∠DBC = 180°).

Transitive Property

  • If two angles are congruent to the same angle, they are congruent to each other.
    • Example: If ∠1 ≅ ∠2 and ∠3 ≅ ∠2, then ∠1 ≅ ∠3.

Vertical Angles

  • Vertically opposite angles formed by two intersecting lines are congruent.
    • Example: If ∠1 = 50°, then ∠3 = 50°.
    • Linear pairs add up to 180°.

Medians and Altitudes

  • Median: A segment from the vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side in a triangle.
    • Example: In ∆ABC, if D is the midpoint of AC, then BD is a median.
  • Altitude: A segment from the vertex perpendicular to the opposite side.
    • Example: In ∆ABC, if BD forms a right angle with AC, then BD is an altitude.

Perpendicular Bisectors

  • Combines properties of medians and altitudes: bisects a segment into two equal parts and forms right angles.
    • Example: In Segment AB, if Line L is a perpendicular bisector, then AM ≅ BM and ∠AMP = ∠BMP = 90°.

Proving Triangle Congruence

  • SSS Postulate: If three sides of one triangle are congruent to three sides of another triangle, the triangles are congruent.
    • Triangle ABC ≅ Triangle DEF.
  • SAS Postulate: If two sides and the included angle of one triangle are congruent to two sides and the included angle of another triangle, the triangles are congruent.
    • Triangle XYZ ≅ Triangle RST.
  • ASA Postulate: If two angles and the included side of one triangle are congruent to two angles and the included side of another triangle, the triangles are congruent.
    • Triangle MNO ≅ Triangle GHI.
  • AAS Postulate: If two angles and a non-included side are congruent between two triangles, then the triangles are congruent.
    • Triangle ABC ≅ Triangle RST.
  • CPCTC (Corresponding Parts of Congruent Triangles are Congruent): Once two triangles are proven congruent, their corresponding parts are congruent.

Example Proofs

  • Prove triangle congruence using given criteria and postulates (SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS).
    • Use reflexive property where triangles share a common side.
    • Use vertical angles and CPCTC to determine congruent angles or sides.