Square Properties: Analyzing Congruent Triangles Formed by Diagonals

Triangle Congruence with Diagonal Intersection

ABCD is a square.

AAABBBDDDCCC

Are the four triangles congruent?

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Step-by-step written solution

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1

Understand the problem

ABCD is a square.

AAABBBDDDCCC

Are the four triangles congruent?

2

Step-by-step solution

To determine whether the four triangles are congruent, we will analyze each triangle in the square ABCD:

1. Identify the triangles: The diagonals of the square intersect at the center, forming four triangles: AOD\triangle AOD, BOC\triangle BOC, COD\triangle COD, and AOB\triangle AOB.

2. Check diagonal properties: In a square, diagonals are equal in length and bisect each other at right angles. Thus, both diagonals AC and BD are equal and intersect at 90 degrees.

3. Analyze triangles using properties of the square:
- All sides of the square are equal, so the segments of the diagonals (e.g., AO, BO, CO, DO) are equal.
- The diagonals bisect each other, resulting in four equal segments: AO=BO=CO=DOAO = BO = CO = DO.
- The angles at the center (AOB\angle AOB, BOC\angle BOC, COD\angle COD, DOA\angle DOA) are each 9090^\circ because diagonals of a square are perpendicular.

4. Use SAS congruence criterion: Each triangle shares the following properties:
- Two sides (AOAO and BOBO or equivalents) are equal for each triangle.
- The included angle between those sides is 9090^\circ.

Thus, by the SAS (Side-Angle-Side) criterion, the triangles AOD\triangle AOD, BOC\triangle BOC, COD\triangle COD, and AOB\triangle AOB are congruent.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is Yes.

3

Final Answer

Yes

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Square Properties: Diagonals are equal, bisect each other perpendicularly
  • Technique: Use SAS congruence with equal segments AO=BO=CO=DO
  • Check: Verify all four triangles have two equal sides and 90° angle ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Assuming triangles are congruent without proving it
    Don't just say triangles look the same = wrong reasoning! You must identify specific equal sides and angles. Always use a congruence criterion like SAS, SSS, or ASA with the square's diagonal properties.

Practice Quiz

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Is a square a trapezoid?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How do I know the diagonal segments are equal?

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In a square, the diagonals bisect each other, meaning they cut each other exactly in half. Since both diagonals AC and BD are equal in length, all four segments from center to vertices are equal: AO=BO=CO=DO AO = BO = CO = DO .

Why are all the angles at the center 90 degrees?

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The diagonals of a square are perpendicular, meaning they intersect at right angles. This creates four 90 90^\circ angles at the center point O.

Which congruence rule should I use?

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Use SAS (Side-Angle-Side)! Each triangle has two equal sides from the center to vertices, and the included angle between them is 90 90^\circ .

Are there other ways to prove the triangles are congruent?

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Yes! You could also use SSS by showing all three sides of each triangle are equal, or ASA using the base angles and the 90 90^\circ angle at the center.

What if the shape wasn't a square?

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Great question! If it were just a rectangle, the triangles would still be congruent. But if it were a rhombus (not a square), the triangles might not all be congruent because the angles wouldn't all be 90 90^\circ .

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