proof of AAA (hyperbolic)


Following is a proof that AAA holds in hyperbolic geometry.

Proof.

Suppose that we have two trianglesMathworldPlanetmath ABC and DEF such that all three pairs of corresponding angles are congruent, but that the two triangles are not congruent. Without loss of generality, let us further assume that (AB)<(DE), where is used to denote length. (Note that, if (AB)=(DE), then the two triangles would be congruent by ASA.) Then there are three cases:

  1. 1.

    (AC)>(DF)

  2. 2.

    (AC)=(DF)

  3. 3.

    (AC)<(DF)

Before investigating the cases, DEF will be placed on ABC so that the following are true:

  • A and D correspond

  • A, B, and E are collinearMathworldPlanetmath

  • A, C, and F are collinear

Now let us investigate each case.

Case 1: Let G denote the intersectionMathworldPlanetmath of BC¯ and EF¯

A=DBEFCG

Note that ABC and CBE are supplementaryPlanetmathPlanetmath. By hypothesisMathworldPlanetmath, ABC and DEF are congruent. Thus, CBE and DEF are supplementary. Therefore, BEG contains two angles which are supplementary, a contradictionMathworldPlanetmathPlanetmath.

Case 2:

A=DBEC=F

Note that ABC and CBE are supplementary. By hypothesis, ABC and DEF are congruent. Thus, CBE and DEF are supplementary. Therefore, BCE contains two angles which are supplementary, a contradiction.

Case 3: This is the most interesting case, as it is the one that holds in Euclidean geometryMathworldPlanetmath.

A=DBECF

Note that ABC and CBE are supplementary. By hypothesis, ABC and DEF are congruent. Thus, CBE and DEF are supplementary. Similarly, BCF and DFE are supplementary. Thus, BCFE is a quadrilateralMathworldPlanetmath whose angle sum is exactly 2π radians, a contradiction.

Since none of the three cases is possible, it follows that ABC and DEF are congruent.

Title proof of AAA (hyperbolic)
Canonical name ProofOfAAAhyperbolic
Date of creation 2013-03-22 17:08:46
Last modified on 2013-03-22 17:08:46
Owner Wkbj79 (1863)
Last modified by Wkbj79 (1863)
Numerical id 6
Author Wkbj79 (1863)
Entry type Proof
Classification msc 51M10