congruent – when shapes are identical in both shape and size

(pronounced con-groo-unt)

To remember the meaning of congruent, use the following mnemonic:

The con grew ants (congruent), but they all looked exactly the same.

A congruent is 2 shapes that fit onto of the other by flipping, sliding or turning over the other

Congruent describes geometric figures that have exactly the same size and shape, even if they're positioned differently in space. Two figures are congruent if one can be transformed into the other through rigid motions - movements like rotation, reflection, or translation (sliding) that don't change the figure's dimensions.

Example 1

These shapes have been flipped but are exactly the same so they are congruent

If these arrows were placed on top of each other and were facing the same way, they would be exactly the same and so they are congruent.

Example 2

These shapes have been slid but are exactly the same so they are congruent

These two triangles are congruent because if you slide them over each other, they would fit perfectly.

Example 3

These shapes have been rotated but are exactly the same so they are congruent

Although one of these rectangles is on its side, they are still congruent. If you rotate one, it would fit perfectly over the other.

Example 4

These complex shapes are the same so they are congruent

These odd shapes fit perfectly over one another, and so they are congruent shapes.