Shortcut Trick
In ΔABC, since AB = AC, we have ∠B = ∠C (base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal).
Given that ∠C = ∠P and ∠B = ∠Q, it directly follows that ∠P = ∠Q.
Thus, in ΔPQR, the sides opposite to these equal angles must be equal, so QR = PR, making ΔPQR also an isosceles triangle.
Since only the angles of the two triangles are equal, they are similar but not necessarily congruent due to potentially different side lengths.
∴ The correct answer is isosceles but not congruent.
Alternate Method
Given:
In ΔABC, AB = AC
∠C = ∠P
∠B = ∠Q
Formula/Property Used:
- In an isosceles triangle, angles opposite to equal sides are equal.
- In a triangle, sides opposite to equal angles are equal.
- Two triangles are congruent if their corresponding sides and angles are equal.
Calculations:
In ΔABC:
⇒ Since AB = AC, the angles opposite to these sides must be equal.
⇒ ∠C = ∠B — (i)
Since two sides are equal, ΔABC is an isosceles triangle.
We are given the following angle relations:
⇒ ∠C = ∠P — (ii)
⇒ ∠B = ∠Q — (iii)
Substituting (i) into (ii) and (iii):
⇒ Since ∠C = ∠B, it directly implies that ∠P = ∠Q.
In ΔPQR:
⇒ Since ∠P = ∠Q, the sides opposite to these angles must be equal.
⇒ QR = PR
Since two sides are equal, ΔPQR is also an isosceles triangle.
Now, let us analyze the congruency of the two triangles:
⇒ For two triangles to be congruent, their corresponding sides must be equal in length.
⇒ Here, we only know that the corresponding angles are equal (∠A = ∠R, ∠B = ∠Q, and ∠C = ∠P).
⇒ This satisfies the AAA similarity criterion, meaning the triangles are similar, but not necessarily congruent as their sizes can differ.
⇒ Therefore, the two triangles are isosceles but not congruent.
∴ The correct answer is isosceles but not congruent.
Additional Information
Isosceles Triangle Properties
An isosceles triangle has at least two equal sides and two equal angles opposite those sides.
AAA Similarity Criterion
If corresponding angles of two triangles are equal, the triangles are similar, meaning their sides are proportional but not necessarily equal.
Criteria for Congruence
Triangles are congruent only if they satisfy criteria like SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS, or RHS, which require at least one side length comparison.