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Hypotenuse-Leg (HL) Congruence Theorem
See It in Action
Two examples of the idea done right—and one common look-alike that is not right.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
NON-EXAMPLE
Definition
Hypotenuse-Leg (HL) Congruence Theorem: In a right triangle, if the hypotenuse and one leg of one triangle are congruent to the hypotenuse and one leg of another right triangle, then the two triangles are congruent.
Key points:
Applies only to right triangles.
Uses the fact that all right triangles have one right angle, so the angle is already known.
The hypotenuse is the side opposite the right angle, and the legs are the two sides that form the right angle.
This theorem is sometimes called the Right Triangle Congruence Theorem.
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