GEOMETRY THEOREMS & ABBREVIATIONS

Symbols
Symbol

||

|||

Description
angle (or s angles)
triangle
is parallel to (or || lines parallel lines)
is perpendicular to
is congruent to
is similar to
therefore
because

Theorems
All deductive reasoning starts from a fact. Any theorem that is being used should be explicitly stated,
whether it is in the algebraic statement or the reason.
This is especially important if the theorem involves a sum or product.
e.g.
x + 20 + 50 = 180
( sum ABC )
NOT
x = 180 20 50
Lines and Angles
Lines and angles are the sum of their parts
e.g.
AB + BC = BC
(common side)

( sum ABC )

ABC + CBD = ABD (adjacent s)

Angle Theorems (if angles are labelled in the diagram, they should be named in the reason)
Angles on a straight line are supplementary
(straight ABC = 180 )
Vertically opposite angles are equal
(vertically opposite s are = )
(revolution = 360)
Angles about a point equal 360
Parallel Line Theorems (if parallel lines are labelled in the diagram, they should be named in the reason)
Alternate angles are equal
(alternate 's =, AB||CD)
when proving lines are parallel
(alternate 's are =)
Corresponding angles are equal
(corresponding 's =, AB||CD)
when proving lines are parallel
(corresponding 's are =)
Cointerior angles are supplementary
(cointerior 's = 180, AB||CD)
when proving lines are parallel
(cointerior 's = 180)
Parallel lines preserve the ratios of intercepts on transversals
(ratio of intercepts of || lines)
Triangle Theorems (if triangles are labelled in the diagram, they should be named in the reason)
The angle sum of a triangle is 180
( sum ABC = 180)
The exterior angle of any triangle is equal to the sum of the two
(exterior CAB)
opposite interior angles.
The angles opposite the equal sides in a triangle are equal
The sides opposite the equal angles in a triangle are equal
If the three sides of a triangle are equal, each angle is 60
If the three angles of a triangle are equal, each side is equal

(= 's in isosceles ABC )

(= sides in isosceles ABC )
( 's in equilateral ABC )
(sides in equilateral ABC )

Congruence & Similarity

Congruence Tests
1. Three pairs of matching sides are equal
2. Two pairs of matching sides and the included angles are
equal
3. Two pairs of matching angles and a pair of matching
sides are equal
4. Triangles are right angled, the hypotenuses and another
pair of sides are equal.
Similarity Tests
Congruence is a specific case of similarity when the ratio
of sides is 1:1, hence the tests are the same, except you
must make mention of the matching sides being in ratio
rather than equal.
1. Three pairs of matching sides are in proportion
2. Two pairs of matching sides are in proportion and the
included angles are equal
3. Two pairs of matching angles are equal
4. Triangles are right angled, the hypotenuses and another
pair of sides are in proportion

(SSS)
(SAS)
(AAS)
(RHS)

1. Three pairs of matching sides are in

proportion
2. Two pairs of matching sides are in
proportion and the included angles are equal
3. Two pairs of matching angles are equal
4. Triangles are right angled, the hypotenuses
and another pair of sides are in proportion
{Note: Cambridge textbook uses the following:
(SSS ratio a;b)
(SAS ratio a:b)
(AA)
(RHS ratio a:b)}

When referring to the equal sides or angles in the pair of

shapes, the term matching should be used;
AB = XY
(matching sides in 's )
AB = BC = 2
(ratio of sides in ||| 's )
XY YZ 3
(matching 's in (or |||) 's )
ABC = XYZ
Quadrilateral Theorems (if quadrilaterals are labelled in the diagram, they should be named in the reason)
The angle sum of a quadrilateral is 360
( sum quadrilateral ABCD = 360)
Parallelogram
Opposite sides in a parallelogram are equal
(opposite sides ||gram ABCD =)
Opposite angles in a parallelogram are equal
(opposite 's ||gram ABCD =)
Diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other
(diagonals ||gram ABCD bisect)
Tests for parallelogram
In addition to the above;
If one pair of sides is both parallel and equal then it is a
parallelogram
Kite
Diagonals in a kite are perpendicular
(diagonals kite ABCD )
Rectangle
In addition to parallelogram properties;
( 's rectangle ABCD = 90)
Angles in a rectangle are 90 .
(diagonals
rectangle ABCD =)
Diagonals in rectangle are equal.
Rhombus
In addition to parallelogram and kite properties;
Diagonals in a rhombus bisect vertices.
(diagonals in rhombus ABCD bisect
vertex)
Square
No specific properties, however it has ALL of the properties of the
other quadrilaterals.
Polygon Theorems (if polygons are labelled in the diagram, they should be named in the reason)
The angle sum of a polygon is 180(n 2)
( sum polygon ABCDE = 540)
The exterior angle sum of any polygon is 360
(exterior sum polygon = 360)

Circle Theorems (Chords/Arcs) (equal chords cut off equal arcs in the same circle or congruent circles)

When referring to radii in the same circle or congruent circles

Equal chords subtend equal angles at the centre of a circle
Equal angles at the centre of the circle subtend equal chords
The line from the centre of the circle perpendicular to a chord,
bisects the chord
The line from the centre of the circle to the midpoint of the chord is
perpendicular to the chord
Note: to find the centre of a circle, the perpendicular bisector of two
chords will meet at the centre.
Equal chords are equidistant from the centre of a circle
Circle Theorems (Angles)
The angle at the centre is twice the angle at the circumference
standing on the same arc
The angle in a semicircle is a right angle
Angles subtended at the circumference by the same arcs are equal
Angles subtended at the circumference by the equal arcs are equal

Circle Theorems (Cyclic Quadrilaterals)

Opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral are supplementary

The exterior angle of a cyclic quadrilateral is equal to the opposite

interior angle
Circle Theorems (Tangents)
The radius of a circle is perpendicular to the tangent at the point of
contact
The angle between a tangent and a chord equals the angle at the
circumference in the alternate segment

(= radii)
(= chords subtend = 's at centre)
(= 's at centre subtend = chords)
( from centre, bisects chord AB)
(line joining centre to midpoint,
chord AB)

(= chords, equidistant from centre)

( at centre is twice at
circumference on same arc AB)
( in a semicircle)
( 's in same segment are =)
(= arcs subtend = 's at
circumference)

(opposite 's in cyclic quadrilateral

= 180)
(exterior cyclic quadrilateral =
opposite interior 's )

(radius tangent)

between a tangent and a chord

equals the at the circumference in
the alternate segment
{Note: also referred to as: (alternate
segment theorem)
Tangents drawn from an external point are equal
(tangents from external point are =)
The line joining the centres of two circles passes through their point
(centres and point of contact are
of contact (MAY BE ASKED TO PROVE THIS RESULT RATHER collinear)
THAN QUOTE IT)

Circle Theorems (Intercepts)

The product of the intercepts on intersecting chords are equal

The product of the intercepts on intersecting secants are equal

The square of the intercept on tangent to a circle equals the product
of the intercepts on the secant

(product of intercepts of intersecting

chords)
(product of intercepts of intersecting
secants)
(square of tangent = product of
intercepts)