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Three Sides Fix It

Part of the Congruence & Proof section of Coddy's Geometry journey. Lesson 11 of 63.

Give someone three sticks and ask for a triangle. However they lay them, the triangle comes out the same: they can turn it or flip it, but the corners cannot change. Three lengths leave the triangle no room to move.

Sides 5 and 5 on a base of 6 reach the same height above and below the base

Here sides of 5 and 5 on a base of 6 meet at C, or at D below the base. The two triangles are mirror images, so one flipped over fits the other: they are congruent. That is why three pairs of equal sides are enough to prove two triangles congruent.

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Challenge

Side AB is 4. Drag the corner C until AC is 5 and BC is 3. The board shows each length as you drag. Then press Check.

Try it yourself

Drag the figure and watch

Drag the figure and watch

quiz iconTest yourself

This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Congruence & Proof