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Definition:
Polygons
are congruent when they have the same number of sides, and all corresponding sides and
interior angles
are congruent.
The polygons will have the same shape and size, but one may be a rotated, or be the mirror image of the other.
Note: This entry deals with the congruence of polygons in general. Congruent triangles are discussed in more depth in
Congruent Triangles.
Polygons are
congruent if they are equal in all respects:
- Same number of sides
- All corresponding sides are the same length,
- All corresponding interior angles are the same measure.
But they can be rotated on the page and one can be a mirror image of the other. In the figure below, all the
irregular
pentagons
shown are congruent.
The darker (gray) ones are mirror images of the others, but are still congruent.
(See the page on congruent triangles where these ideas are illustrated in greater depth.)
One way to think about this is to imagine the polygons are made of cardboard.
If you can move them, turn them over and stack them exactly on top of each other, then they are congruent.
To see this, click on any polygon below. It will be flipped over, rotated and stacked on another as needed to demonstrate that they are congruent.
Try this
Click on any any polygon. It will be flipped over, rotated and stacked on another as needed to show that it is congruent to it.
Testing for Congruence
There are four ways to test for congruence of polygons, depending on what you are given to start.
See Testing Polygons for congruence.
What does this mean?
If you have shown that two polygons are congruent, then you know that every property of the polygons is also identical.
For example they will have the same area, perimeter, exterior angles, apothem etc.
Related topics
Congruent Triangles
Congruent Polygons
(C) 2009 Copyright Math Open Reference. All rights reserved
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