Practice30Create account

Line l is the perpendicular bisector of AB (tick marks and right-angle mark at M). P lies on l, PA = 7 cm and AB = 6 cm. Find the perimeter of △PAB.

Class 9Triangles (Congruence)Geometry — Triangles
  • A13 cm
  • B16 cm
  • C20 cm
  • D21 cm

Step-by-Step Solution

Every point on the perpendicular bisector is equidistant from and , SAS), so cm. Perimeter cm.
Answer: C) 20 cm

Key idea: Why SSA is not a valid congruence criterion

If you give two sides and an angle that is NOT between them, you can sometimes draw two different triangles with those measurements. The angle-and-opposite-side combination doesn't pin down the triangle uniquely.

The ONE case it works is when the angle is a RIGHT angle and the side opposite is the hypotenuse — that's exactly the RHS criterion. So RHS is essentially 'SSA but only for right triangles, and the side has to be the hypotenuse'.

**Bottom line**: Always check the angle is INCLUDED between the two sides before quoting SAS. Otherwise you've made the classic SSA mistake.

Master this chapter in 30 minutes a day.

Don't just memorise the answer — build a daily practice habit.

Practice 5 Similar Questions Free →

All Triangles (Congruence) practice questions

More Class 9 Triangles (Congruence) practice

ABCD is a kite with AB = AD and CB = CD (tick marks), and diagonal AC splits it into two…In the figure, AD = BC and ∠DAB = ∠CBA = 75° (matching marks). Triangles ABD and BAC…Which criterion proves congruence when three sides of one triangle equal three sides of…Can a triangle have sides 3 cm, 4 cm, and 8 cm?In ΔPQR, PQ = 8, QR = 6, RP = 7. Which angle is the smallest?