WRITING PROOF
In this lesson, you will be able to:
• write a proof
• illustrate the need for axiomatic structure of a mathematical system
in general and in Geometry in particular: (a) defined terms; (b)
undefined terms; (c) postulates, and (d) theorems
Identify the property used to solve the
equation 4x + 3 = 2x + 9
Balance Equation Property
4x + 3 = 2x + 9
Remove 2 masses from both sides 2x + 3 = 9
Remove 3 masses from both sides 2x = 6
2𝑥 6
Divide each side into equal parts =
2 2
The part on both sides are equal x=3
• A more formal, with statements and reasons is called a two-column
proof or sometimes called a formal proof.
• proof – a logical argument in which each statement you make is
backed up by a statement that is accepted as true.
• Using the two-column proof, the problem can be proven as follows:
Given: 4x + 3 = 2x + 9
Prove: x = 3
Proof:
Statements Reasons
1. 4x + 3 = 2x + 9 Given
2. 2x + 3 = 9 SPE
3. 2x = 6 SPE
4. x = 3 DPE
USEFUL GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES IN WRITING
PROOFS
Definitions If-then Form
1. Betweenness If A-B-C, then AB + BC = AC
A B C
USEFUL GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES IN WRITING
PROOFS
Definitions If-then Form
2. Midpoint If A is the midpoint of 𝐵𝐶,
then AB = AC
B A C
USEFUL GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES IN WRITING
PROOFS
Definitions If-then Form
3. Segment Bisector If 𝐴𝐵 bisects 𝑃𝑄 at B, then
𝑃𝐵 ≅ 𝑄𝐵
A
P B Q
USEFUL GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES IN WRITING
PROOFS
Definitions If-then Form
4. Right Angle If A is a right angle, then m A
= 90. Also, if BAC is a right ,
then 𝐴𝐵 ⊥ 𝐴𝐶
A C
USEFUL GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES IN WRITING
PROOFS
Definitions If-then Form
5. Acute Angle If A is an acute angle, then
m A < 90.
USEFUL GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES IN WRITING
PROOFS
Definitions If-then Form
6. Obtuse Angle If A is an obtuse angle, then
m A > 90.
USEFUL GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES IN WRITING
PROOFS
Definitions If-then Form
7. Perpendicular Line Segments If 𝐴𝐵 ⊥ 𝐴𝐶, then BAC is a
right angle.
A C
USEFUL GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES IN WRITING
PROOFS
Definitions If-then Form
8. Complementary Angles If A and B are
complementary angles, then
m A + m B = 90
USEFUL GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES IN WRITING
PROOFS
Definitions If-then Form
9. Supplementary Angles If A and B are supplementary
angles, then
m A + m B = 180
USEFUL GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES IN WRITING
PROOFS
Definitions If-then Form
10. Linear pair If 𝑃𝑄 and 𝑃𝑅are opposite rays
and 𝑃𝑇 is any other ray, then
QPT and TPR form a linear
pair.
T
Q P R
USEFUL GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES IN WRITING
PROOFS
Definitions If-then Form
11. Angle Bisector If 𝐴𝐷 bisects BAC, then
BAD ≅ DAC.
B A C
USEFUL GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES IN WRITING
PROOFS
Definitions If-then Form
12. Congruent Segments If 𝐴𝐵 ≅ 𝐶𝐷, then AB = CD.
If AB = CD, then 𝐴𝐵 ≅ 𝐶𝐷.
A B
C D
USEFUL GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES IN WRITING
PROOFS
Definitions If-then Form
13. Congruent Angles A≅ B, then
m A = m B.
m A = m B, then
A≅ B
Supply a valid conclusion for the given hypothesis
in a and the corresponding reason in b.
1. If T is a right angle,
∴ a.
b.
2. If J and P are supplementary angles,
∴ a.
b.
3. If m 1 + m 2 = 90,
∴ a.
b.
Supply a valid conclusion for the given hypothesis
in a and the corresponding reason in b.
1. If T is a right angle,
∴ a. m T = 90
b. definition of right angle
2. If J and P are supplementary angles,
∴ a. m J + m P = 180
b. definition of supplementary angles
3. If m 1 + m 2 = 90,
∴ a. 1 and 2 are complementary angles.
b. definition of complementary angles
Supply a valid conclusion for the given hypothesis
in a and the corresponding reason in b.
4. If m p = m q,
∴ a.
b.
5. If 𝐴𝐵 ≅ 𝐶𝐷
∴ a.
b.
Supply a valid conclusion for the given hypothesis
in a and the corresponding reason in b.
4. If m p = m q,
∴ a. p≅ q
b. definition of congruent angles
5. If 𝐴𝐵 ≅ 𝐶𝐷
∴ a. AB = CD
b. definition of congruent segments
Supply a valid conclusion for the given hypothesis
in a and the corresponding reason in b.
6. If T is between A and O,
∴ a.
b.
7. If 𝐶𝑇 bisects NCR,
∴ a.
b.
Supply a valid conclusion for the given hypothesis
in a and the corresponding reason in b.
6. If T is between A and O,
∴ a. AT + OT = AO
b. definition of betweenness
7. If 𝐶𝑇 bisects NCR,
∴ a. NCT ≅ TCR
b. definition of an angle bisector
Supply a valid conclusion for the given hypothesis
in a and the corresponding reason in b.
8. If U is the midpoint of 𝐻𝑇,
∴ a.
b.
9. C ≅ D,
∴ a.
b.
Supply a valid conclusion for the given hypothesis
in a and the corresponding reason in b.
8. If U is the midpoint of 𝐻𝑇,
∴ a. 𝑈𝐻 ≅ 𝑈𝑇
b. definition of a midpoint
9. C ≅ D,
∴ a. m C ≅ m D
b. definition of congruent angles
Supply a valid conclusion for the given hypothesis
in a and the corresponding reason in b.
10. If 𝐴𝑅 ⊥ 𝐴𝐸
∴ a.
b.
Supply a valid conclusion for the given hypothesis
in a and the corresponding reason in b.
10. If 𝐴𝑅 ⊥ 𝐴𝐸
∴ a. RAE is a right angle
b. definition of perpendicularity