Math Problem Statement

In the figure shown, segments AE and BD intersect at C. Which additional piece of information is sufficient to determine whether triangle ABC is congruent to triangle EDC?

Solution

The problem asks for the additional information required to determine whether triangle ABC\triangle ABC is congruent to triangle EDC\triangle EDC. Let's break it down:

Given Information:

  1. ACAC and BDBD intersect at CC.
  2. AB=ED=10AB = ED = 10, which means the two triangles have a pair of corresponding sides equal.
  3. We need to find the additional piece of information that would make the triangles congruent.

Triangles and Congruence:

To prove two triangles congruent, we can use the following congruence criteria:

  • SSS (Side-Side-Side)
  • SAS (Side-Angle-Side)
  • ASA (Angle-Side-Angle)
  • AAS (Angle-Angle-Side)
  • HL (Hypotenuse-Leg) for right triangles

We already know one pair of sides is equal: AB=EDAB = ED. To make the triangles congruent, we need more information about either another pair of sides or the angles.

Analyzing the Choices:

  • A) AC=BCAC = BC: This would not necessarily help since it only provides information about triangle ABCABC, but not triangle EDCEDC. It doesn’t give us information to compare corresponding parts of both triangles.

  • B) AC=CEAC = CE: This would give us two pairs of equal sides: AB=EDAB = ED and AC=CEAC = CE. If we also know that ACB\angle ACB and EDC\angle EDC are equal (which would follow from vertical angles), we could use SAS (Side-Angle-Side) to conclude that the triangles are congruent.

  • C) The measures of angles AA and BB are equal: This only gives information about triangle ABCABC and doesn't help with triangle EDCEDC, so it wouldn't be sufficient.

  • D) The measures of angles AA and EE are equal: This would help us establish that the triangles have one pair of corresponding angles equal, but without knowing more about sides or other angles, this wouldn’t be enough for congruence.

Conclusion:

The correct answer is B) AC=CEAC = CE, because with this information and the given vertical angles at CC, the triangles would be congruent by SAS.


Would you like more details or have any questions? Here are five related questions for further exploration:

  1. How does the SAS postulate work in triangle congruence?
  2. What are other methods for proving triangle congruence, besides SAS?
  3. Can we conclude congruence if only two angles are known to be equal in both triangles?
  4. Why does option D not provide sufficient information for congruence?
  5. How does knowing vertical angles help in triangle congruence?

Tip: When solving triangle congruence problems, always check if the information can be linked using one of the specific congruence criteria (SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS, or HL).

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Congruence of triangles
Geometry
Triangle properties

Formulas

SAS (Side-Angle-Side) congruence criterion

Theorems

Vertical angles theorem
Triangle congruence theorems (SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS)

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10