Geometry Postulates and Theorems: A Comprehensive Guide
Geometry Postulates and Theorems
Postulates
1.1 Ruler Postulate
The points on a line can be matched one to one with the real numbers. The real number that corresponds to a point is the coordinate of the point. The distance between points A and B, written as AB, is the absolute value of the difference of the coordinates of A and B.
1.2 Segment Addition Postulate
If B is between A and C, then AB + BC = AC. If AB + BC = AC, then B is between A and C.
1.3 Protractor Postulate
Consider a ray OB and a point A on one side of the ray OB. The rays of the form OA can be matched one to one with the real numbers from 0 to 180. The measure of ∠AOB, which can be written as m∠AOB, is equal to the absolute value of the difference between the real numbers matched with OA and OB on a protractor.
1.4 Angle Addition Postulate
If P is in the interior of ∠RST, then the measure of ∠RST is equal to the sum of the measures of ∠RSP and ∠PST.
2.1 Two Point Postulate
Through any two points, there exists exactly one line.
2.2 Line-Point Postulate
A line contains at least two points.
2.3 Line Intersection Postulate
If two lines intersect, then their intersection is exactly one point.
2.4 Three Point Postulate
Through any three noncollinear points, there exists exactly one plane.
2.5 Plane-Point Postulate
A plane contains at least three noncollinear points.
2.6 Plane-Line Postulate
If two points lie in a plane, then the line containing them lies in the plane.
2.7 Plane Intersection Postulate
If two planes intersect, then their intersection is a line.
2.8 Linear Pair Postulate
If two angles form a linear pair, then they are supplementary.
3.1 Parallel Postulate
If there is a line and a point not on the line, then there is exactly one line through the point parallel to the given line.
3.2 Perpendicular Postulate
If there is a line and a point not on the line, then there is exactly one line through the point perpendicular to the given line.
4.1 Translation Postulate
A translation is a rigid motion.
4.2 Reflection Postulate
A reflection is a rigid motion.
4.3 Rotation Postulate
A rotation is a rigid motion.
10.1 Arc Addition Postulate
The measure of an arc formed by two adjacent arcs is the sum of the measures of the two arcs.
Theorems
2.1 Properties of Segment Congruence
Segment congruence is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive.
- Reflexive: For any segment AB, AB ≅ AB.
- Symmetric: If AB ≅ CD, then CD ≅ AB.
- Transitive: If AB ≅ CD and CD ≅ EF, then AB ≅ EF.
2.2 Properties of Angle Congruence
Angle congruence is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive.
- Reflexive: For any angle A, ∠A ≅ ∠A.
- Symmetric: If ∠A ≅ ∠B, then ∠B ≅ ∠A.
- Transitive: If ∠A ≅ ∠B and ∠B ≅ ∠C, then ∠A ≅ ∠C.
2.3 Right Angles Congruence Theorem
All right angles are congruent.
2.4 Congruent Supplements Theorem
If two angles are supplementary to the same angle (or to congruent angles), then they are congruent.
2.5 Congruent Complements Theorem
If two angles are complementary to the same angle (or to congruent angles), then they are congruent.
2.6 Vertical Angles Congruence Theorem
Vertical angles are congruent.
3.1 Corresponding Angles Theorem
If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the pairs of corresponding angles are congruent.
3.2 Alternate Interior Angles Theorem
If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the pairs of alternate interior angles are congruent.
3.3 Alternate Exterior Angles Theorem
If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the pairs of alternate exterior angles are congruent.
3.4 Consecutive Interior Angles Theorem
If two parallel lines are cut by a transversal, then the pairs of consecutive interior angles are supplementary.
3.5 Corresponding Angles Converse
If two lines are cut by a transversal so the corresponding angles are congruent, then the lines are parallel.
3.6 Alternate Interior Angles Converse
If two lines are cut by a transversal so the alternate interior angles are congruent, then the lines are parallel.
3.7 Alternate Exterior Angles Converse
If two lines are cut by a transversal so the alternate exterior angles are congruent, then the lines are parallel.
3.8 Consecutive Interior Angles Converse
If two lines are cut by a transversal so the consecutive interior angles are supplementary, then the lines are parallel.
3.9 Transitive Property of Parallel Lines
If two lines are parallel to the same line, then they are parallel to each other.
3.10 Linear Pair Perpendicular Theorem
If two lines intersect to form a linear pair of congruent angles, then the lines are perpendicular.
3.11 Perpendicular Transversal Theorem
In a plane, if a transversal is perpendicular to one of two parallel lines, then it is perpendicular to the other line.
3.12 Lines Perpendicular to a Transversal Theorem
In a plane, if two lines are perpendicular to the same line, then they are parallel to each other.
3.13 Slopes of Parallel Lines
In a coordinate plane, two nonvertical lines are parallel if and only if they have the same slope. Any two vertical lines are parallel.
3.14 Slopes of Perpendicular Lines
In a coordinate plane, two nonvertical lines are perpendicular if and only if the product of their slopes is −1. Horizontal lines are perpendicular to vertical lines.
4.1 Composition Theorem
The composition of two (or more) rigid motions is a rigid motion.
4.2 Reflections in Parallel Lines Theorem
If lines k and m are parallel, then a reflection in line k followed by a reflection in line m is the same as a translation. If A″ is the image of A, then:
- AA″ is perpendicular to k and m, and
- AA″ = 2d, where d is the distance between k and m.
4.3 Reflections in Intersecting Lines Theorem
If lines k and m intersect at point P, then a reflection in line k followed by a reflection in line m is the same as a rotation about point P. The angle of rotation is 2x°, where x° is the measure of the acute or right angle formed by lines k and m.
5.1 Triangle Sum Theorem
The sum of the measures of the interior angles of a triangle is 180°.
5.2 Exterior Angle Theorem
The measure of an exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the measures of the two nonadjacent interior angles.
5.1 Corollary to the Triangle Sum Theorem
The acute angles of a right triangle are complementary.
5.3 Properties of Triangle Congruence
Triangle congruence is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive.
- Reflexive: For any triangle ΔABC, ΔABC ≅ ΔABC.
- Symmetric: If ΔABC ≅ ΔDEF, then ΔDEF ≅ ΔABC.
- Transitive: If ΔABC ≅ ΔDEF and ΔDEF ≅ ΔJKL, then ΔABC ≅ ΔJKL.
5.4 Third Angles Theorem
If two angles of one triangle are congruent to two angles of another triangle, then the third angles are also congruent.
5.5 Side-Angle-Side (SAS) Congruence Theorem
If two sides and the included angle of one triangle are congruent to two sides and the included angle of a second triangle, then the two triangles are congruent.
5.6 Base Angles Theorem
If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite them are congruent.
5.7 Converse of the Base Angles Theorem
If two angles of a triangle are congruent, then the sides opposite them are congruent.
Corollary to the Base Angles Theorem
If a triangle is equilateral, then it is equiangular.
Corollary 5.3 Corollary to the Converse of the Base Angles Theorem
If a triangle is equiangular, then it is equilateral.
5.8 Side-Side-Side (SSS) Congruence Theorem
If three sides of one triangle are congruent to three sides of a second triangle, then the two triangles are congruent.
5.9 Hypotenuse-Leg (HL) Congruence Theorem
If the hypotenuse and a leg of a right triangle are congruent to the hypotenuse and a leg of a second right triangle, then the two triangles are congruent.
5.10 Angle-Side-Angle (ASA) Congruence Theorem
If two angles and the included side of one triangle are congruent to two angles and the included side of a second triangle, then the two triangles are congruent.
5.11 Angle-Angle-Side (AAS) Congruence Theorem
If two angles and a non-included side of one triangle are congruent to two angles and the corresponding non-included side of a second triangle, then the two triangles are congruent.
6.1 Perpendicular Bisector Theorem
In a plane, if a point lies on the perpendicular bisector of a segment, then it is equidistant from the endpoints of the segment.
6.2 Converse of the Perpendicular Bisector Theorem
In a plane, if a point is equidistant from the endpoints of a segment, then it lies on the perpendicular bisector of the segment.
6.3 Angle Bisector Theorem
If a point lies on the bisector of an angle, then it is equidistant from the two sides of the angle.
6.4 Converse of the Angle Bisector Theorem
If a point is in the interior of an angle and is equidistant from the two sides of the angle, then it lies on the bisector of the angle.
6.5 Circumcenter Theorem
The circumcenter of a triangle is equidistant from the vertices of the triangle.
6.6 Incenter Theorem
The incenter of a triangle is equidistant from the sides of the triangle.
6.7 Centroid Theorem
The centroid of a triangle is two-thirds of the distance from each vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side.
6.8 Triangle Midsegment Theorem
The segment connecting the midpoints of two sides of a triangle is parallel to the third side and is half as long as that side.
6.9 Triangle Longer Side Theorem
If one side of a triangle is longer than another side, then the angle opposite the longer side is larger than the angle opposite the shorter side.
6.10 Triangle Larger Angle Theorem
If one angle of a triangle is larger than another angle, then the side opposite the larger angle is longer than the side opposite the smaller angle.
6.11 Triangle Inequality Theorem
The sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle is greater than the length of the third side.
6.12 Hinge Theorem
If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two sides of another triangle, and the included angle of the first is larger than the included angle of the second, then the third side of the first is longer than the third side of the second.
6.13 Converse of the Hinge Theorem
If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two sides of another triangle, and the third side of the first is longer than the third side of the second, then the included angle of the first is larger than the included angle of the second.
7.1 Polygon Interior Angles Theorem
The sum of the measures of the interior angles of a convex n-gon is (n − 2) ⋅ 180°.
Corollary 7.1 Corollary to the Polygon Interior Angles Theorem
The sum of the measures of the interior angles of a quadrilateral is 360°.
7.2 Polygon Exterior Angles Theorem
The sum of the measures of the exterior angles of a convex polygon, one angle at each vertex, is 360°.
7.3 Parallelogram Opposite Sides Theorem
If a quadrilateral is a parallelogram, then its opposite sides are congruent.
7.4 Parallelogram Opposite Angles Theorem
If a quadrilateral is a parallelogram, then its opposite angles are congruent.
7.5 Parallelogram Consecutive Angles Theorem
If a quadrilateral is a parallelogram, then its consecutive angles are supplementary.
7.6 Parallelogram Diagonals Theorem
If a quadrilateral is a parallelogram, then its diagonals bisect each other.
7.7 Parallelogram Opposite Sides Converse
If both pairs of opposite sides of a quadrilateral are congruent, then the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.
7.8 Parallelogram Opposite Angles Converse
If both pairs of opposite angles of a quadrilateral are congruent, then the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.
7.9 Opposite Sides Parallel and Congruent Theorem
If one pair of opposite sides of a quadrilateral are congruent and parallel, then the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.
7.10 Parallelogram Diagonals Converse
If the diagonals of a quadrilateral bisect each other, then the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.
Corollary 7.2 Rhombus Corollary
A quadrilateral is a rhombus if and only if it has four congruent sides.
Corollary 7.3 Rectangle Corollary
A quadrilateral is a rectangle if and only if it has four right angles.
Corollary 7.4 Square Corollary
A quadrilateral is a square if and only if it is a rhombus and a rectangle.
7.11 Rhombus Diagonals Theorem
A parallelogram is a rhombus if and only if its diagonals are perpendicular.
7.12 Rhombus Opposite Angles Theorem
A parallelogram is a rhombus if and only if each diagonal bisects a pair of opposite angles.
7.13 Rectangle Diagonals Theorem
A parallelogram is a rectangle if and only if its diagonals are congruent.
7.14 Isosceles Trapezoid Base Angles Theorem
If a trapezoid is isosceles, then each pair of base angles is congruent.
7.15 Isosceles Trapezoid Base Angles Converse
If a trapezoid has a pair of congruent base angles, then it is an isosceles trapezoid.
7.16 Isosceles Trapezoid Diagonals Theorem
A trapezoid is isosceles if and only if its diagonals are congruent.
7.17 Trapezoid Midsegment Theorem
The midsegment of a trapezoid is parallel to each base, and its length is one-half the sum of the lengths of the bases.
7.18 Kite Diagonals Theorem
If a quadrilateral is a kite, then its diagonals are perpendicular.
7.19 Kite Opposite Angles Theorem
If a quadrilateral is a kite, then exactly one pair of opposite angles are congruent.
8.1 Perimeters of Similar Polygons
If two polygons are similar, then the ratio of their perimeters is equal to the ratios of their corresponding side lengths.
8.2 Areas of Similar Polygons
If two polygons are similar, then the ratio of their areas is equal to the squares of the ratios of their corresponding side lengths.
8.3 Angle-Angle (AA) Similarity Theorem
If two angles of one triangle are congruent to two angles of another triangle, then the two triangles are similar.
8.4 Side-Side-Side (SSS) Similarity Theorem
If the corresponding side lengths of two triangles are proportional, then the triangles are similar.
8.5 Side-Angle-Side (SAS) Similarity Theorem
If an angle of one triangle is congruent to an angle of a second triangle and the lengths of the sides including these angles are proportional, then the triangles are similar.
8.6 Triangle Proportionality Theorem
If a line parallel to one side of a triangle intersects the other two sides, then it divides the two sides proportionally.
8.7 Converse of the Triangle Proportionality Theorem
If a line divides two sides of a triangle proportionally, then it is parallel to the third side.
8.9 Triangle Angle Bisector Theorem
If a ray bisects an angle of a triangle, then it divides the opposite side into segments whose lengths are proportional to the lengths of the other two sides.