Triangle Angle-Side-Angle Congruence

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Theorem

If two triangles have:

two angles equal to two angles, respectively
the sides between the two angles equal

then the remaining angles are equal, and the remaining sides equal the respective sides.


That is to say, if two pairs of angles and the included sides are equal, then the triangles are congruent.


In the words of Euclid:

If two triangles have two angles equal to two angles respectively, and one side equal to one side, namely, either the side adjoining the equal angles, or that subtending one of the equal angles, they will also have the remaining sides equal to the remaining sides and the remaining angle equal to the remaining angle.

(The Elements: Book $\text{I}$: Proposition $26$)


Proof

Euclid-I-26-1.png

Let $\angle ABC = \angle DEF$, $\angle BCA = \angle EFD$, and $BC = EF$.

Aiming for a contradiction, suppose that $AB \ne DE$.

If this is the case, one of the two must be greater.

Without loss of generality, we let $AB > DE$.

We construct a point $G$ on $AB$ such that $BG = ED$.

Using Euclid's first postulate, we construct the segment $CG$.

Now, since we have:

$BG = ED$
$\angle GBC = \angle DEF$
$BC = EF$

it follows from Triangle Side-Angle-Side Congruence that:

$\angle GCB = \angle DFE$

But from Euclid's fifth common notion:

$\angle DFE = \angle ACB > \angle GCB$

which is a contradiction.

Therefore, $AB = DE$.

So from Triangle Side-Angle-Side Congruence:

$\triangle ABC = \triangle DEF$

$\blacksquare$


Historical Note

This proof is the first part of Proposition $26$ of Book $\text{I}$ of Euclid's The Elements.
It appears to have originally been created by Thales of Miletus.


Also known as

Triangle Angle-Side-Angle Congruence is also known as ASA or the ASA Condition.


Sources

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