Theorem 1: Angles opposite to equal sides of an isosceles triangle are equal
Fig 1 - Isosceles triangle
Proof: Consider an isosceles triangle
shown in fig 1 where
.
We need to prove that the angles opposite to the sides
and
are equal, that is,
We first draw a bisector of
and name it as
.
Now in
and
we have,
(Given)
(By construction)
(Common to both)
Thus,
(By SAS congruence criterion)
So,
(By CPCT)
Hence proved.
Theorem 2: The sides opposite to equal angles of a triangle are equal.
Proof: In a triangle
shown in fig 1, base angles are equal and we need to prove that
or
is an isosceles triangle.
Construct a bisector
which meets the side
at right angles.
Now in
and
we have,
(By construction)
(Common side)
(By construction)
Thus,
(By ASA congruence criterion)
So,
(By CPCT)
Or
is isosceles.