Question

Can someone please explain to me the difference between SAS and SSS in Geometry when dealing with triangle proofs?

Answer 1

Hello from MrBillDoesMath!

Answer:   SAS = side - angle -side    congruence

              SSS  = side - side - side     congruence

Discussion :

In Plane Geometry,  identical triangles are said to be "congruent". There are several ways, depending upon the information you have, to prove 2 triangles are congruent.

In one approach ("SSS") if you can show that 2 triangles have identical side lengths,  then the triangles are congruent. (A triangle has 3 sides, hence "SSS" -- 3 S's; 3 sides, get it?)

In another approach ("SAS") if you can show that 2 sides, and the angle included between those sides, in one triangle are identical to the sides and included angle in another triangle,  then the triangles are congruent

It's easier to understand this with a picture or diagram than in words. Please review the SSS, SAS picture in your textbook

Regards, MrB