MATHEMATICS 8

WORKSHEET

CONGRUENCE OF RIGHT TRIANGLES

A triangle with a right angle is called a right triangle. In any right hypotenuse
triangle, the side opposite the right angle is called hypotenuse. The
two other sides that intersect at the vertex of the right angle are called
legs. legs

LL(leg-leg) Congruence Theorem. If the legs of one right triangle are congruent to the legs of another
right triangle, then the triangles are congruent.

By LL Congruence Theorem, we have two right triangles

∆ JKL ≅ ∆ MNO , JL ≅ MO and
KL ≅ NO .

LA (leg-acute angle) Congruence Theorem. If a leg and

an acute angle of one right triangle are congruent to a leg
and an acute angle of another right triangle, then the
triangles are congruent.

Therefore, right triangles ∆ STU and ∆ XYZ such that SU ≅

XZ and ∠ S ≅ ∠ X by LA Congruence Theorem.

Exercises: Apply and prove statements of triangles that are congruent.

1) Given the figure.
What are the corresponding parts needed to prove that the two
triangles are congruent by LA Congruence Theorem?

2) Given: right ∆ HOT and right ∆ DAY with right angles at O

and A respectively such that
HO ≅ DA and OT ≅ AY .

Prove: ∆ HOT ≅ ∆ DAY

Proof:
Statement Reason
1) HO ≅ DA 1)
2) 2) Given
3) ∠ O ≅ ∠ A 3)
4) ∆ HOT ≅ ∆ DAY 4)
 CONGRUENCE OF RIGHT TRIANGLES

HyA (hypotenuse-acute angle) Congruence Theorem. If an acute angle and the hypotenuse of one right
triangle are congruent to an acute angle and the hypotenuse of another right triangle, then the triangles are
congruent.

Let us now consider right triangles ∆ DES and ∆ TIH with right angles
at E and I respectively, such that ∠ D ≅ ∠ T and DS ≅ TH .

Since all right angles are congruent, then ∠ D ≅ ∠ T and DS ≅ TH .

Thus, by HyA Congruence Theorem, we have ∆ DES ≅ ∆TIH .

HyL(hypotenuse-leg) Congruence Theorem. If a leg and the hypotenuse of one right triangle are
congruent to a corresponding leg and the hypotenuse of another right triangle, then the triangles are
congruent.

Consider the example:

Given: OT ≅ AY ; HT ≅ DY and ∠ O ≅ ∠ A

Since ∠ O ≅ ∠ A , then OT ≅ AY and HT ≅ DY . Thus, by HyL Congruence

Theorem, we have ∆ HOT ≅ ∆ DAY .

Exercises: To apply HyA congruence theorem, indicate markings to show the corresponding parts of
the right triangles which must be congruent.
1.) 2.)

To apply HyL congruence theorem, indicate markings to show the corresponding parts of
the right triangles which must be congruent.

1) 2)