What Does Congruent Mean In Math Terms

It does not mean that they are equal exactly.

What does congruent mean in math terms.

Maybe because they are only equal when placed on top of each other. Exactly equal in size and shape. More formally two sets of points are called congruent if and only if one can be transformed into the other by an isometry i e a combination of rigid motions namely a translation a rotation and a reflection. While the size and shape of two congruent objects are equal their orientations may be different.

Equal should be used to relate the lengths or measurements of two sides angles or parts of shapes. Very loosely you can think of it as meaning equal but it has a very precise meaning that you should understand completely especially for complex shapes such as polygons. If we call our squares square a and square b we can write that they are congruent using the congruency symbol which is an equal sign. Illustrated definition of congruent.

In geometry two figures or objects are congruent if they have the same shape and size or if one has the same shape and size as the mirror image of the other. Anyway it comes from latin congruere to agree so the shapes agree. The same shape and size but we are allowed to flip slide or turn. Definition and meaning of the math word congruent.

Congruent segments sides and angles are often marked. People often confuse this word with equal but there is a small difference in the way that these two words should be used. Relating to geometric figures that have the same size and shape. In this example the shapes are congruent.

Why such a funny word that basically means equal. Congruent angles have the exact same measure for any set of congruent geometric figures corresponding sides angles faces etc. Two objects are congruent if they have the same dimensions and shape. The ability to recognize congruence is important in geometry and other fields that rely on this type of math.

In math we have a special symbol to show congruency.