Congruence

Definition

A geometric figure Ω1Rn is said to be congruent to Ω2Rn, denoted by Ω1Ω2, if there is as isometry τ such that τ(Ω1)=Ω2.


Theorem

Congruence is an equivalence relation.

This fact is very closely related to the fact that isometries form a group under composition.

Proof

Reflexivity is trivially true because the identity function is an isometry.

Symmetry follows from the fact that isometries are invertible, with the inverse an isometry as well, and hence:

τ(Ω1)=Ω2τ1(Ω2)=Ω1.

Transitivity follows from the fact that isometries compose to form other isometries, and hence

τ(Ω1)=Ω2andα(Ω2)=Ω3(ατ)(Ω1)=Ω3.