Question

Write a two column proof.

Answer 1

@imnoone Please post a larger diagram. Or, post what is given about the two triangles and what it is you want to prove. Thanks.

Answer 2

@Directrix

Answer 3

Are you supposed to write this proof from scratch or do you have some of the statements and reasons already given to you as part of the problem?

Answer 4

@Directrix I'm supposed to write it from scratch :/

Answer 5

So far I have
MN is congruent to PN - Given
LM is congruent to LP - Given
and thats it haha

Answer 6

I am going to try to get the statements together and then you can do the reasons. I'll have to think a few minutes.

Answer 7

@Directrix thanks, sounds good!

Answer 8

The first step in a proof is to take the diagram and mark on the diagram what is given. That helps a person figure out what to do to get to the "to prove."

Here is our diagram.

Answer 9

Then, think back on ways to prove triangles congruent and see if any of them might apply here, and, if so, how. So, attached is a visual of ways to prove triangles congruent.

Answer 10

A is for angle (we have none); S is for side (we have two pairs); H is for hypotenuse (we do not know we have right triangles so that is out); and L is for leg of a right triangle so that is out.

Answer 11

@imnoone Look at the marked up diagram. Do you see any way to get segment LN congruent to itself. That is, segment LN ≅ segment LN ? Because if you could, we would have 3 sides of one triangle congruent to three sides of another triangle. Then, the SSS postulate would make the two triangles congruent.

Don't worry - we will write the proof but we have to do some thinking first.
I am asking you about this:

segment LN ≅ segment LN

Do you know of any reason ^^^ might be true?

Answer 12

@Directrix I've been reading this over and over and I'm still not getting it ugh

Answer 13

Do you remember the property that states that a segment is congruent to itself?
That is what I am asking. segment LN ≅ segment LN
Or, maybe 5 =5 --> that property?

Answer 14

@Directrix the reflexive property?

Answer 15

Correct. We're ready now. I marked that on the diagram. Here it is:

Answer 16

@Directrix okay so so far I have
MN is congruent to PN - Given
LM is congruent to LP - Given
LN is congruent to LN - Definition of the Reflexive Property

Answer 17

Given: Seg MN ≅ Seg PN; Seg LM ≅ Seg LP
Prove: Tri MLN ≅ Tri PLN

--------------
Statements Reasons
---------------

1. Seg MN ≅ Seg PN 1. Given

2. Seg LM ≅ Seg LP 2. Given

3. Seg LN ≅ Seg LN 3. Reflexive Property of Congruency

4. Triangle MLN ≅ Triangle PLN 4.

@imnoone

I typed in your statements and reasons from above.

So, we have one reason left to do, and we are finished.

Once you got started, you did well.

Answer 18

@imnoone How do we know that these triangles are congruent? Look at that chart of ways to prove triangles congruent, okay?

Answer 19

@Directrix so I do put what kind of triangle it is for number 4?

Answer 20

No. We don't know what kind of triangles they are.

Answer 21

ugh

Answer 22

We are looking at ways to prove triangles congruent.

ASA Postulate, SSS Postulate, SAS Postulate --> It is one of those.

Answer 23

Here's a BIG hinit from earlier in this thread:

Look at the marked up diagram. Do you see any way to get segment LN congruent to itself. That is, segment LN ≅ segment LN ? Because if you could, we would have 3 sides of one triangle congruent to three sides of another triangle. **Then, the SSS postulate would make the two triangles congruent.** @imnoone

Answer 24

@Directrix I'm guessing its the SSS postulate?

Answer 25

That is correct.

Answer 26

In the proof above, you can write "SSS Postulate." And, it is done!

Answer 27

@Directrix thank you so much! I'm sorry it takes me awhile to understand

Answer 28

That is the way it goes with these proofs. But, you will get better with practice. Everybody gets confused when first learning this.

Answer 29

@Directrix hopefully! thanks again :)

Answer 30

You are welcome.