Segment Properties and Definitions
When proving geometric statements about segments, you need to know when to use properties of equality versus properties of congruence. Properties of equality deal with measurements, while properties of congruence apply to shapes.
The key properties of congruence include the reflexive property (any segment is congruent to itself), the symmetric property (if segment AB is congruent to CD, then CD is congruent to AB), and the transitive property (if AB is congruent to CD and CD is congruent to EF, then AB is congruent to EF).
Two important definitions to remember are the definition of congruence (segments are congruent if and only if they have the same measure) and the definition of midpoint (a midpoint divides a segment into two congruent parts). The Segment Addition Postulate states that if points A, B, and C are collinear with B between A and C, then AB + BC = AC.
💡 Think of congruence (≅) as comparing the segments themselves, while equality (=) compares their measurements. When a problem asks for justification, identifying which property applies is your first step!