Congruent Shapes

Congruent shapes are twins in the world of math. They have the same size and the same shape. If you cut out one and place it on top of the other, they would match perfectly. The shapes can be turned or flipped and still be congruent. They just cannot change size.

How to Check

To check if shapes are congruent, look at their sides and angles. Every side must be the same length. Every angle must be the same size. If even one part is different, the shapes are not congruent. Math has special symbols to show when shapes match.

Where We See Them

Congruent shapes are all around us. The tiles on a floor are often congruent squares. The keys on a piano are congruent to each other. Factories make many congruent items so parts will fit together. Knowing about congruence helps in art, building, and design.

Fun Facts

• The word congruent comes from a Latin word meaning 'to agree.'
• Two circles are congruent if they have the same size.
• Honeycombs are made of congruent hexagons.

Did You Know?

Bees build honeycombs using congruent six-sided shapes. This shape uses the least wax and gives the most space.