In math, congruent means “exactly the same size and shape.”

Quick Scoop: What does congruent mean in math?

  • Two shapes are congruent if one can be moved (slid, flipped, or rotated) to sit perfectly on top of the other.
  • All corresponding sides and all corresponding angles match exactly.
  • We usually use the symbol ≅ and write things like △ABC≅△DEF\triangle ABC\cong \triangle DEF△ABC≅△DEF to show two triangles are congruent.

Simple examples

  • Congruent line segments : Two segments are congruent if they have the same length.
  • Congruent angles : Two angles are congruent if they have the same measure (for example, both are 45°).
  • Congruent circles : Two circles are congruent if they have the same radius.

You can think of congruent figures like two identical puzzle pieces: if they match perfectly when you line them up, they’re congruent.

TL;DR:
In math, congruent means “exactly equal in shape and size,” even if one figure is rotated or flipped.

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