6 Find the values of the pronumerals in each.

a B Q
100° β

30° α γ
A C R
P
b B V
40° β

A U α

80°

C W

c
67°
13 cm 13 cm
5 cm 5 cm

a cm b cm

d α
3 cm 4 cm
x cm
3 cm
6 cm
α
y cm

e 7 cm 7 cm
α α

3 cm b cm
6 cm a cm

Challenge exercise
1 This question provides a proof of the angle bisector construction. A
The arcs intersecting at M are centred at P and Q. M

a Copy the diagram and join the intervals PM and QM .

P
b Prove that ∆ PMO ≡ ∆QMO.
c Hence explain why OM is the bisector of ∠AOB.
O Q B

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 CHALLENGE EXERCISE

2 This question provides a proof of the construction of the

perpendicular bisector of an interval. The arcs are of
the same radius and centred at A and B. P

a Copy the diagram and join the intervals AP, BP, AQ and BQ.
b Prove that ∆ APQ ≡ ∆ BPQ.
A M B
c Hence prove that ∠APQ = ∠BPQ.
d Prove that ∆ APM ≡ ∆ BPM . Q
e Hence prove that AM = BM and PQ ⊥ AB.

3 This question provides a proof of the construction of the F

perpendicular from a given point to a given line.
a Copy the diagram and join the intervals AF, BF, AG, M
BG and FG. A B

b Prove that ∆ AFG ≡ ∆ BFG.

c Hence prove that ∠AFG = ∠BFG . G
d Prove that ∆ AFM ≡ ∆ BFM .
e Hence prove that FG ⊥ AB .

4 In this question, we prove that the base angles of an

C
isosceles triangle are equal by proving that the triangle
is congruent to itself. The proof is reputedly due to the
Greek mathematician Pappus, who lived in Alexandria
from about 290 CE to about 350 CE. Let ∆ ABC be isosceles,
with AC = BC.
A B
a Prove that ∆ ACB ≡ ∆ BCA. (Note the changed order
of the vertices.)
b Hence show that ∠A = ∠B.

5 In this question, we give another proof that a triangle C

with equal base angles is isosceles. This proof involves
no construction – the triangle is proven to be congruent
to itself. Let ABC be a triangle with ∠A = ∠B.
We just prove that AC = BC.
a Prove that ∆ ABC ≡ ∆ BAC.
b Hence show that AC = BC. A B

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 CHALLENGE EXERCISE

6 Explain why the supposed ‘proof’ outlined below is invalid.

Let ABC be a triangle with ∠A = ∠B .
Mark the midpoint M of the base AB, and join CM.
Then ∆ AMC ≡ ∆ BMC .
Hence AC = BC.

7 The result ‘proven’ below is clearly false.

Explain why the reasoning is invalid.
Let ∆ ABC be an isosceles triangle with AC = BC.
Let P be any point on the base AB, and join PC.
C

A B

In the triangles ACP and BCP:

CP = CP (common)
CA = CB (given)
∠CAP = ∠CBP ( base angles of isosceles ∆ ABC )
so ∆ ACP ≡ ∆ BCP (SAS)
Hence AP = BP (matching sides of congruent triangles)
so P is the midpoint of AB.

8 There is a valid ‘OSS congruence test’ (where O stands for ‘obtuse angle’):
‘If two sides and an obtuse non-included angle of one triangle are equal to two sides
and a matching obtuse non-included angle of another triangle, then the triangles are
congruent.’
Explain why this result is true.

9 The Greeks said that the oldest geometrical theorem stated P

and proved was Thales’ theorem. Thales’ theorem states:
‘An angle in a semicircle is a right angle.’ β
A α B
a Let AOB be a diameter of a circle with centre O. Let P be O
any other point on the circumference. Join AP, BP and OP,
and let ∠PAB = α and ∠PBA = β .
b Use isosceles triangles to prove that ∠APB = 90°.

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 CHALLENGE EXERCISE

10 The lines through each vertex of a triangle perpendicular to the opposite side are called
the altitudes of a triangle. They are concurrent at the orthocentre of the triangle.
(This can be proved using theorems that you will meet in Year 10.) The orthocentre may
lie outside the triangle.
a On a large sheet of paper, draw an obtuse-angled triangle, then construct its
orthocentre. You will need to produce two of the sides to perform this construction.
b Let H be the orthocentre of ∆ ABC. Prove that each of the four points A, B, C and H
is the orthocentre of the triangle formed by the other three points. This is true in both
cases – when ∆ ABC is acute-angled and when ∆ ABC is obtuse-angled.

11 The perpendicular bisectors of the sides of a triangle are concurrent at a point called the
circumcentre, and this point is the centre of the circle through all three vertices. Here is
an outline of a proof. Check the details.
a Take a triangle ABC. Let P be the midpoint of BC, Q be the midpoint of CA, and R
be the midpoint of AB. Let the perpendicular bisectors of AB and AC meet at M. Join
MA, MB and MC.
b Prove that ∆ AMR ≡ ∆ BMR and that ∆ AMQ ≡ ∆CMQ.
c Hence prove that the circle with centre M and radius MA passes through B and C.
d Prove that MP is perpendicular to BC.
e Under what circumstances does the circumcentre lie outside the triangle?

CHAPTER 12 CONGRUENT TRIANGLES 321

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