G.CO.8 SSS Exploration
In the exploration below:
1) You will explore the Side-Side-Side (SSS) case. If the three sides of one triangle are congruent to the three sides of another, must the two triangles be congruent?
2) All of the segments in the image are set to have lengths that are congruent to their corresponding object (segment AB corresponds with A'B', BC with B'C', etc.). You are able to manipulate all three of the angles.
3) Experiment by moving the points around in order to test the theory that Side-Side-Side (SSS) is a criteria for triangle congruence.
Is it possible to make a different triangle from the same three parts, or are the two triangles always congruent? Explain how you know.
Based on your answer above, is SSS a valid "shortcut" for triangle congruence? Why or why not?