CPCTC

In geometry, "Corresponding parts of congruent triangles are congruent" (CPCTC) is a succinct statement of a theorem regarding congruent triangles, defined as triangles either of which is an isometry of the other.^[1] CPCTC states that if two or more triangles are congruent, then all of their corresponding angles and sides are congruent as well. CPCTC is useful in proving various theorems about triangles and other polygons.^[2]

If triangles ABC and DEF are congruent, denoted as

$\triangle ABC \cong \triangle DEF,\,$

with corresponding pairs of angles at vertices A, D; B, E; and C, F, and with corresponding pairs of sides AB, DE; BC, EF; and CA, FD, then the following statements are true:

$\overline{AB} \cong \overline{DE}\,$

$\overline{BC} \cong \overline{EF}\,$

$\overline{AC} \cong \overline{DF}\,$

$\angle BAC \cong \angle EDF\,$

$\angle ABC \cong \angle DEF\,$

$\angle BCA \cong \angle EFD\,$

A related theorem is CPCFC, in which "triangles" is replaced with "figures" so that the theorem applies to any pair of polygons or polyhedrons that are congruent.

References

1. "Congruent Triangles". Cliff's Notes. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
2. "CPCTC means 'Corresponding parts of congruent triangles are congruent' and...". Mathware House. Retrieved 2014-02-04.

External links

• Dr. Math explains the importance of CPCTC